Sunday, Memorial

 

 

 

 

 

Riding again. See you next year Larry...

A HUGE Thanks to everyone who donated, supported, encouraged and helped spread awareness to all the officers, family, loved ones who sacrifice everyday.

Unity

Great day today riding in for Larry. Honored to meet his fantastic wife, family and co-workers. Thank you for letting me ride in his honor.

 

 

...the amount raised this year by all the tours

 

...sorry for the side shots

Headwind Larry

I'm not sure if you would call it late winter or spring time, but when I started training for this ride and actually got out on the bike, it was around March during our 'warm' winter. Riding during this time is always windy, especially when you are around farm country with open, unplanted fields. I had some 20-30MPH wind days and I hate the wind. Its a big de-motivator for me.

This year I decided I did not want to be beaten (so much) by the wind. I started to name the wind Headwind Larry. Knowing I was riding for Larry, that he was a very fit/athletic person, I pictured him as wind helping me to increase the resistance on the rides, making me stronger. Sometimes Larry won, sometimes I won. Regardless, I got a great workout and even better tour preparation.

Today, Headwind Larry was with us...the whole way from Philly into Baltimore. I didn't mind. It was great having him along. I looked at it as he touched all the members of the Challenge Ride. We are all stronger for it. Thanks Larry, See you in DC tomorrow.

 

 

 

Challenge Ride Begins

We started from Somerset NJ today and road to Philly, PA. All total, somewhere over 5 1/2 hours actually on the bike along with 70 plus miles. I'm hearing tomorrow will be around 107 miles, give or take. Tired right now.

For those wondering, there are several Unity Tours going on right now. They all ride for the same cause/goals, but their are different chapters based on location. California for instnace is Chapter 7. I am riding with the New Jersey Chapter (Chapter 1) and with in that, the Challenge Ride. The Challenge ride is supposed to be a faster paced ride with a hilly course. We saw some hills today and will see much larger hills tomorrow. All the tours meet at RFK Stadium on Saturday then ride en-mass to the Memorial.

Another good turn out today in the City of Brotherly Love. Once in downtown Philly, the crowds were out cherring us on! We rode past the Liberty Bell but the area was on cobbles (pavers, old fashioned road) thus I concentrated more on the uneven ground than snapping photos. And as a note, if any of the photos look out of focus, the majority of them are from when we are actually riding.

I usually don't plug companies, but Target is a national sponsor of the Tour. They have been supporting our rest stops with water, sports drinks, fig newtons, fresh fruit and other items so we can continue on in the tour. The hospitality is welcomed. Thanks Target!

One other thing, the guy in the box van, Mike. He is our Tour mechanic. If you flat, the pull up, put you in the van, Mike takes care of your flat while following behind the tour, once the mechanical issue is fixed, the van slows and you and your bike jump out and continue on...pretty cool! Be safe everyone...M

 

 

 

 

 

It was cloudy all day but we still shined bright....

Day one photos are below. Great ride so far with a fantastic community turn out: schools, business people, fired departments, etc. the school kids were especially happy to see us. The photos are of the 800 riders today (other groups, like Virgina, are doing a different route). Of the 800, most of the photos are of the first 1/3 just to give a perspective.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LAPD and other CA LEO's are here with their motors. I counted 16 today. The NJ motors like to play chicken with oncoming traffic but they kept us all safe. The man pictured on the podium is the founder of the Tour, which started in 1997, Pat M.

Hoping for better weather tomorrow....raid first half of the day. Be safe

Entertainment during dinner....

Wednesday night