Day 1: NYC to Somers

Day 1 started with breakfast at 5:30, followed by a group photo of more than 200 cyclists at 6:45, and a rollout downhill to the Staten Island Ferry just after 7 a.m. I was able to keep a steady pace of 16 mph while on the ferry crossing the New York Harbor, but I slowed significantly for the next 10 miles or so crawling up the west side of Manhattan. Things opened up when we got to the South County Trial, where we enjoyed some pacelining at 22 mph. Our lunch stop was at 40 miles with about 25 to go and with news that heavy rain was approaching, so we cut short our break and started peddling to outrun the rain, traveling from south to north. We managed to do that, and rolled into Somers Middle School shortly after 1 pm. Some great pulls from my North Carolinian friends Ted and Rob.

After dinner, a pro cycling coach gave a presentation about cycling techniques. Can’t tell you what he said because I dozed off. I did stay awake for the presentation preceding his, about the lifesaving therapies funded by this ride, which is why we’re doing this.

Off to bed now to rest up for Day 2.

Our ESR team on the Ferry