It's More than a Ride

Chris and I returned home late Sunday night from our journey up the Hudson River (NY) valley. The tag line for Get Your Guts in Gear couldn't be more true -- it's more than a ride. It really is an adventure!

On Thursday night, we gathered at a hotel in NYC for orientation with our friends, all riders, in the photo above.  They were given information about the next day's route, and as a crew member, I was given my assignment: driving Julia, the assistant ride director, along the route to check for signs and obstructions. We would leave ahead of the riders each day and provide warning of potential problems or fix missing signage. In addition, we would run errands and assist riders along the road as needed.

Day 1-- Friday

Looking remarkably awake at 5 am, Chris and I arrive at the pier. Note SpokesCat badge on Chris (mine is on my nametag, out of picture). Julia and I leave before the opening ceremonies, driving through NYC. Scary stuff for this suburban girl, but thankfully there was little traffic at 6:00 am. The riders will cross the George Washington Bridge and then head through New Jersey for a bit, before coming back to NY. Photo of Chris below, on the bridge.

Julia and I pick up lunch for the approximately 150 of us, and deliver it to the lunch rest stop. Here is where things get interesting. On the way out, we are flagged down by a rider with a flat tire. We call for the mechanic to come, and wait until he receives assistance. We travel further, and are then flagged down by one of our support vans -- a rider was hit by a deer! Thankfully he is upright, sitting with his brother on the guardrail as we pass by. Later on we find out that after a trip to the hospital, he has no broken bones, but a sore shoulder in a sling, an injured wrist, and a few stitches by his eye. Terrible road rash. He now becomes part of the crew, and is affectionately nicknamed Bambi for the rest of the ride.

As I drive along that afternoon, Julia fields one call after another, mostly regarding missing portable facilities at the night's campsite. We take turns hopping out of the car to add or change out signage put up by the route marker folks so the riders don't get lost. We only occasionally see riders, because we are far ahead. It is a relief when we finally arrive at the camp: I am tired and hot, and worried about Chris and our friends after the deer episode. I help to check in the first few riders as they arrive, and admire the precision with which the camp crew unloads the gear trucks and sets up the tents and the kitchen. Then I sneak a peek at the shed-like ladies' room, complete with cobwebs, and lose my nerve to camp. As soon as Chris arrives, I beg for a hotel room. I find out that some of the riders, many affiliated with a company which manufactures medication for IBD patients, have already made reservations at the local Marriott, and feel slightly less guilty. Especially when Judy the ride director announces at dinner that rain showers and possible hail are expected overnight. The other riders, cheerful after a shower and a hot meal, seem remarkably undisturbed by this development, happy to have the first 70 miles behind them.

Home Sweet Home (before the storm)

Bike Parking

Stay tuned for Day 2 -- Coydogs, Quarter-Showers, and Schmores...

Comments

[Beth]

I'm so glad to read your review and I'm looking forward to part 2. I like all the pictures - especially the one with all those blue tents! I'm glad it went well for you! It sounds like a very big project to help direct.

[Sydney]

Thanks for the report! I would never have anticipated being hit by deer while I'm riding a bike. I'm glad he was mostly okay. I'm looking forward to part 2!

[wendy g]

What an adventure! Enjoyed reading about the first day and can't wait until the next installment.

[Sarah]

That's a lot of tents! So glad to hear you had such a great time!

[Julie]

I'm glad the rider who was hit by the deer is okay. Who would have thought that would happen?

I would've gotten a hotel room, too.

Looking forward to part 2.

[Sonya]

I love the shot of all those blue tents! Sounds like quite an adventure.

[Rebekah]

thanks for the great report! I just can't believe the biker being hit by a deer, now that's a story for the record books!

[Cookie]

You two look very perky for so early in the morning. Sounds like you really had an adventure. I'm so glad the guy hit by the deer wasn't too badly hurt. Those deer can be huge. Can't wait for the next installment.

[tiennie]

Sounds like a great adventure you're on!

[Meg]

Great shot of all the bicycles parked together! The first installment really whets my appetite! Coy-dogs??? Wow.

[Felicia]

Looks like fun!

[Shannon]

That's fantastic! I've always wanted to do one of these multiple day rides, but I'd obviously need a far better bike and training... once I have a save place to store my bike I can consider this. Can't wait to read Day 3!