Day Seven!!!!!
We’ve arrived!!!!! We finished the 500 miles all safe and timely. The Dutko’s open their home for a celebratory picnic. It’s now 1:10 and we leave at 3:00 for our 10 miles police escorted ride to the mall. The photo are my friends who I rode with again this year, otherwise known as “Mishpocka”. And a photo of me in the Trenton Times!
Day Six
Last night, Dr. Dan, Massage professional Joan, and Dr. Peter all had some time to work on my calf muscle, which was overworked and was the cause of my pain. After a full night’s rest I was ready to gently ride and enjoy a slower pace. This morning we started through a light fog leaving Stroudsburg towards Clinton, NJ. We rode along the Deleware river and later through some wonderful country pastures. Even though we’ve passed dozens of fields of wheat, corn, soy, and fruit orchards, they always are a joy to behold. As are the rolling hills, wooded areas and tailored country homes. It was so unusual for me to ride through north Upper Bucks and then to Milford, NJ as for the last 5 days it’s been a foreign experience riding through New York state. So entering familiar territory brought tears to my eyes. Not only am I home, but the experience of riding over 400 miles to get there. Wow. Tomorrow we ride 48 miles towards Hopewell for a celebratory picnic near where we start our training rides. From there we have a 10 mile Police escort towards the Quaker Bridge Mall in NJ. It’s bitter sweet to end this amazing journey. I’m grateful to have been able to complete this and participate in this good cause. Thank you for your support! Here are the pictures I took today. Video to come later.
Day Five
Day five started with my friends singing Happy Birthday as they gave me a signed card with cake for breakfast! And my bike was decorated by Erin, our LOD. I was very touched! We left the hotel a bit later than usual as there was a possibility of rain. Every morning has been SO cold, but it was actually warm and most of us left without raincoats. Thankfully the clouds cleared and it was a beautiful sunny day. We climbed up over 4 miles up Moosic Mountain which I have to say, was grueling. A very tough long climb up 247 South. My left ankle was sore before we left the hotel, and I did my best to stretch it as I rode. We climbed more than 4000 feet in elevation. At the top of the mountain we rested at SAG1 and I felt good. But soon after we got going again, my ankle proved to cause me more pain than I could manage while riding. At least I did the climbing but I could not do more without help. Bruce and Virginia rescued me on the side of the road as my friends reassured me I was doing the right thing. We call this “getting sagged” and I rode later with Jill who treated me to a birthday milkshake at the icecream stop where my friends later enjoyed lunch. We are having dinner together in the hotel, Chinese food in Room Frankencheryl. Ah, another day, another 70+ miles.
Val won a Yellow Truck award tonight for most improved rider, along with our cycling reporter, Krystal.
Day Four
Last night Joan, the Leader Of the Day (LOD) took us on an adventure to The Wright’s log cabin home for a homemade meal served with love and generosity which moved us all. This local married couple opened their home to us, cooked us a delicious meal and even made a donation to Anchor House! Wow!!!!
Today, Day Four, we left Owego in a cold fog, literally. It wad freezing cold and we also had low visibilty. As the sun broke through we started to warm up around mile 22. We had to traverse through an industrial town of Vestle. Not sure if that was NY or PA at that point but it was scary and full if traffic. At mile 40 we had our first SAG with disco music up on a hill. Fun!
The only photo I have is from a bridge we rode under. I need to keep better notes as to what we see, but between riding, sun-screen and hydrating, this is what I have.
SAG 2 came around mile 60(?) and we finish with a LOT of up hill climbing. My training with Ribin Gale has proven itself. Last time I did these particular hills, I had to walk up. Not this time, as I was earning a double waffle cone at Merrings Farm Icecream. Banana and Chocolate Peanut butter.
Tonight is our banquet. My friend Val Ferro and my roomate Dan will receive a Five Year plaque for 5 years of contribution as well as others who have helped for 5, 10, and more years. Linda is getting a 10 year Plaque! This is the 31st anniversary of this ride. We are staying at the very comfortable and service oriented Nichols Village in Clarks Summit, PA.
Day Three
Well we started off with a short tour of Ithaca as we searched for our breakfast diner. After we ate, we began our 73 mile trip with a steep assent and saw a wonderful view. Last time we rode through this area in 2006 it rained for 40 miles. Today was sunny and started off in the high 40’s! Field after field of farms, we even rode alongside a galloping stag as he jumped over a wooden fence and through a corn field.
Day Two
We started out at 6:30 to have breakfast at a local cafe. Our ride took us along a short part of Lake Seneca and included a 4.6 mile climb, and some fun desents. We had a great SAG 3 at a natural waterfall at one of the local parks. This took us down to a 10 mile ride into Ithaca. We rode over 70 miles today and I’m tired and cranky. And it’s only day 2. 5 more to go! I’m going to bed before 9.
Day One
We’ve finished DayOne leaving Oswego at 7:30 and arriving in Geneva around 3:30. Within the 75.8 miles were absolutely wonderful rolling hills surrounded by fields of cherry trees, apple orchards and acres of corn. Fluffy clouds added a constant backdrop to a georgous day.
Lunch in a basket
Yes, we all packed a contibution to avoid the fast food during out lunch break. And we ended up eating out of a shopping cart caravan in the bus parking lot. Home made quich, veggies, chix salad, fruit. In a shopping cart. A tale-tell sign of things to come?!
We’re Merrily On Our Way
We’re the bus #2 of 4. 200 cyclists and 31 volunteers. Everyone is very excited and enjoying the start of our trek. We’ll break for lunch and after arriving in Oswego, NY, we’re staying at a lakeside hotel, facing Lake Ontario. And the fun begins tomorrow.

































