Hello everyone and thank you once again for your wonderful support of Sunday’s ride to support Gerianne Leskauskas in her recovery from cancer.
It turned out to be quite a day – hot, humid and mid 80s temperatures – about an hour and a half out on Long Island’s north shore. Lori (Geri’s sister), John (brother of Lori & Geri) and I headed out to the island late Saturday afternoon, trying to time our driving to avoid any Subway Series traffic as the Mets – Yankees were playing late that afternoon. In turns out we managed to miss the game traffic and a huge thunderstorm that held up the game for a while. We fueled up that evening with a home-cooked pasta dinner courtesy of my cousin Rob and his wife Tobie (thank you!!). That was great way to initiate our quest.
Sunday morning it was an early rising and we could already tell a hot and muggy day was under way. At 7:15, they called on the 100-milers – anyone who was planning to ride a “century” - to get started at this time. Needless to say, we passed on that opportunity. One hundred miles is quite a bit of cycling for anyone, let alone a trio of novices such as ourselves. And somehow we had talked ourselves into thinking that Long Island was flat. It should be, right? Well, the total elevations of about 4,500 to 5,500 feet for the 50 and 75-mile rides suggested otherwise, but we disregarded those figures until we no longer could.
Shortly after setting out at about 7:45, we were promptly introduced to our first long incline and got a sense of what we would be in for during the ride. The first rest area came at 9 miles and we welcomed the chance to refuel. We were also excited to get back out there as we realized we had barely begun our quest. At the 17-mile mark, we found out just what that quest was all about.
“Caution – Steep Climb!!” was how our cue sheet described the approaching Snake Den Road. They weren’t kidding. This thing was sick and about a ½ mile climb with a hairpin turn to boot. And while I knew I wouldn’t have an odometer reading to provide as evidence for Jerry (our new Grand Knight), I thought he might have his spies out there making sure I was really riding. So at this hill – as with all the hills on the ride – I knew I had to be true to the spirit of the ride and keep on pedaling. My legs were burning and I did an occasional S curve to trick myself into thinking the terrain was flat and finally crested the hill. This is when you learn just why they provide 24 speeds on a bicycle. Little did I know, that was not even close to the end of our climbs.
It was another 4 miles or so to our second rest area. John and I got off course for about the last mile or so before finding our way again and linking up with Lori again at the 22-mile break. It was another much welcomed respite and a rare luxury – indoor, air-conditioned bathrooms! What a treat. Alas, we could not stay and it was back outside where we had our choice of bananas, cookies, drinks, energy bars and other goodies to refuel.
After not riding for 30 minutes, we had a rude re-introduction to the ride – about 2.5 miles of steady uphill climbing. Now perhaps you are wondering at this point… well, there must have been some down hills, right? Yeah, sure there were, but they happen much faster and give me far less drama to write about! It was at about this point – the 25-mile mark – that we were really not feeling like a 75-mile ride was in the cards. We actually knew that that decision had to be made at the next rest area. At the 35.8 mile break, it was decision time on whether to go for 75 or stick with a 52-mile ride. John gave us a good laugh when he pointed out that, based on our pace, we’d be back at our car by midnight if we continued on the 100-mile course.
So 52 miles it was to be. We put our sore behinds back in the saddles and headed out from under the comfort of a shady tree and back into the searing early afternoon sun. They told us this last segment would have less hill climbing, but I will have to say they had quite a sense of humor to make miles 48 to 51 a steady uphill climb through an industrial park. I’m telling you – these are hills you don’t even notice are there until you’re trying to pedal up them and shift around in your seat depending on which part of your backside hurts the least at the moment!
God has a sense of humor too. With just half a mile to go, the skies opened up. The rain we had pretty much missed the whole weekend had finally arrived. And then as quickly as it started, it stopped. Our journey was complete and we were rewarded with blue t-shirts to show for it.
And I want to thank you again for your amazing response to this initiative. It was inspiring and uplifting and kept us going during the ride. It means so very much to the Leskauskas family the way the community has lent a helping hand in so many ways and shown its love and support. Your actions are a model of what we as God’s children and as a community are called to be for each other.
Thank you.
God Bless,,
Larry
|
