Tour de Force 2007: The Ride
The weather on September 11th, 2007 reflected the emotions of the day…overcast with periods of rain. Even with the passage of six years this was a somber day and of such significance that I am certain that anyone that is capable of recalling the events that transpired on that day also knows exactly where they were when the attacks began.
To be in New York City on this day really hits home. All around me are people who have been touched by that tragic event. It makes Karen and me that more proud to have raised money to render help to those effected. Looking at the tall buildings I know that these people still need help now and probably will for the rest of their lives.
After arriving at the staging point in Queens we unload our bicycles and check in. We are in the parking lot of an NYPD shooting range. In the lot breakfast is being served by NYPD Detectives. They have a large support vehicle with the inscription, “The World’s Greatest Detectives”, running across the hood.
There are 130 registered riders plus support staff. The majority of the riders are active law enforcement. We mingle and learn that some have come as far away as Toronto, Wisconsin, and, Illinois to participate. Everyone receives and puts on a Tour de Force riding jersey.
The start of the first 65 mile leg is at Yankee Stadium. We are met there by Yankee officials and a given a tour of the stadium. Inside the stadium we visit memorial park. There are plaques commemorating the services of Micky Mantle, Babe Ruth, and others. In the center of the park is a large plaque that commemorates those in public safety that aided those in need on 9-11.
We learn that the Yankee symbol is taken from the NYPD Medal of Honor designed for the first Police officer killed in the line of duty in NYC. We sit in the dug out and see the perspective from a players view. We visit the locker room and it is interesting to see the arrangements of the players.
After a moment of silence and reflection for those who lost their lives on 9-11 we pedal out of Yankee stadium under police escort and begin making our way through Queens. The ride is difficult. There is a light rain making the road slick. There are plenty of bumps and broken glass…this is NYC after all. We are told to avoid any of the painted lines in the road as it is like riding on wet glass.
While the focus remains on avoiding a flat or a wipeout we are encouraged by the people of the city. All around us people wave at us and yell thank you. It is a great feeling to know that you are part of something that brings relief to so many. We turn onto the Queensboro Bridge and begin the first of what will be many accents. Most drivers would avoid traveling on a Manhattan bridge while in the comfort of a full sized vehicle, but we are doing it on bicycles! At the peak of the bridge, looking to our right, we see a line of skyscrapers, including the Empire State building.
There is a type of thrill when pointing an aluminum bicycle down the beginning of a half mile long down slope that can only be partially explained through words. I have been on the Six Flags, “Superman” roller coaster several times but that was nothing compared to this. Reaching a speed of almost 40 miles an hour as winds rips at your side and every expansion joint on the bridge shudders through your body is thrilling to say the least. Like “Superman” the bottom of the slope is covered and in darkness. When you enter this covered portion you are momentarily blind. All you can do is keep your handlebars straight and pray that the rider in front of you does not hit the break.
We roll on towards Long Island. The weather takes a turn a turn for the worse. The wind has continued to pick up. Now the drizzle turns into full force rain. Karen and I are wearing sneakers. They quickly become saturated and become weighted like snow boots. Luckily we thought ahead and I stashed two rain coats in a pocket on the bicycles. We are already wet but at least we stay warm as we continue through the storm.
On Long Island we maneuver as a group to route 25. Thunder and lightning begins to fall northeast of us. I see at least two lightning bolts make their way from the clouds to the ground. It motivates us to pedal faster!!! After a lunch break of soggy granola bars we work our way along Rt. 25 with several different police departments providing assistance at some of the big intersections. Our second thrill of the day comes as we arrive at a merge of two three lane roadways. We are in a right lane that shortly becomes the middle lane of an expressway. Just before we reach the merge a police cruiser comes from behind us and shuts down the other roadway, allowing us to cross safely. We were very happy to see him!
The very long first day ends at the top of a huge hill. We make it to mile 65 and after a nice meal served by the Suffolk County Sheriff’s office (who doesn’t love Shepards Pie) and a race through the hotel to find a dryer for our clothing we are fast asleep by eight.
Day two starts out better after ten hours of much needed sleep and a continental breakfast. Everyone is in the parking lot rebuilding their bicycles after the punishment Mother Nature gave them. Many riders suffered flat tires on day one. We throw some grease on our bicycles and try to look like we know what we are doing by running a rag along the gears.
We assemble before a line of volunteers with bag pipes. They strike up a few tunes and it is a beautiful sunny day. There are 60 miles between us and the ferry at Orient Point. We pedal off as a group and make our way to the Vietnam Memorial of Long Island. It is a tall stone block structure with a prominent point.
Everyone gathers for a group photo and we take a moment to reflect before proceeding along Rt. 25 The ride is scenic with no major surprises or hills…life is good. We pass diner after diner and winery after winery. It seems the thing to do on Long Island is eat breakfast 24 hours a day and sip wine. We arrive at the ferry having averaged almost 17 MPH which puts us as rider 27 and 28, but hey, remember it is not a race!
There are plenty of beverages provided and Karen assumes her non riding posture until the ferry departs. It is a relaxing ride on the ferry as we make our way towards Groton, CT., ending day two.
There is good news and bad news facing us on day three. Our goal for the day is just survival because there are 90 miles between us and Framingham, Ma. The good news is it is another sunny day with light wind. The bad news that we find out about at the end is that it was actually 97 miles! In between us and the end are a series of huge hills. It takes over eight hours as we make our way through Norwich, CT and Webster, Ma. My favorite hill is a four stage accent outside of downtown Webster. We thought it would never end and had to be at least two miles of climbing.
The interesting thing about a bicycle ride of that distance is that although you may experience agony at around 50-60 miles, your bodies endorphins eventually shut down the pain centers and you get a second wind. The last 25 miles or so actually go quite smooth. We finish at the Massachusetts State Police Headquarters. They serve us a very nice barbeque. There are no photographs from that day because we were pretty much on our bicycles from the time the sun rose until the time it set. Karen is sleeping by eight but I make it until quarter of nine before I crash.
Our final morning arrives and we gather at MSPHQ. Our final leg will be the Boston Marathon route to Fenway Park. We will be escorted by a police helicopter, motorcycles, and cruisers from many area departments. Karen is wicked happy to see the helicopter.
All of the bikers gather and prepare to pedal the final 25 miles to Fenway Park. Everyone talks about how exciting it was to complete the 97 mile ride and share their tales of survival.
The MSP helicopter lifts off and the time comes to complete our journey.
The group takes off. We pass over heartbreak hill and head towards Boston.
I race away from Karen and pull far away to allow enough time to set up and take a shot of her as she pedals with the crowd.
25 miles seems like nothing after the previous days ride and the group arrives at Fenway in just over an hour and a half.
At Fenway Park we are given a guided tour of the facility and an excellent lunch. It is surreal to see the park so empty yet so filled with history.
We even get to see the park from on top of the GREEN MONSTER!
After a presentation from the Boston Police Commissioner we are handed passes to the evenings game…Red Sox versus Yankees. The majority of our group is comprised of Boston PD and NYPD Officers so there is plenty of banter being thrown around. We pack away our gear on the bus and change at the Boston Athletic Club. We return to the park early to watch batting practice. Note that we both have burned noses. We prefer to call them battle scars like the grease marks on our right ankles from hitting the chain day after day. The same grease on my brand new T-Shirt- see the chain pattern?
Now what would batting practice be without Big Poppy? I wonder who he is chatting with?
Our group gathers for one final time. Almost $150,000 was raised and eight riders from our group stand on the field as the game begins in recognition of our efforts.
Karen and I would like to thank everyone who donated to this cause. We are all capable of great things and helping each other and we will never forget this experience.
