From Sea to Shining Sea

Day 60 New Jersey to NYC, NY

Distance 51km

Saddle time 2:45

Avg speed 18.6

Max speed 44.2

Total ascent 292m

Total descent 363m

The last day of riding!  I was honoured to be a part of my good friend, Jenn’s, wedding on Friday, August 23, and it meant I missed 2 days of riding (Thursday and Friday) but I really wanted to get to NYC for the last day of riding.  I had talked with a few people from NJ who had some ideas about how to get me/my bike to the route and get to ride.  I ended up accepting an extremely generous offer from Doug, one of our SAG drivers, who arranged with a friend to pick up my bike from camp in New City, NY, and have him pick me up at Newark airport and drive me to a location on the tour route.  I didn’t get much sleep (left the wedding at around 11:15, got stuck in traffic/construction in TO, slept 2.5 hrs in a hotel by the airport before getting up to return my rental car and catch my flight), but I was so grateful when everything went very smoothly.  Doug’s friend was waiting right at the exit of the airport.  I had already changed into my cycling clothes, so I jumped in his truck and we drove to about 1 mile north of the George Washington bridge.   About 5 minutes after I arrived at the place I was supposed to meet my riding group (other riders were already passing there), Kaitlyn and Katie rode up.  We waiting for Malori (who had been with a different group) and I got to say hi to my dad.  Then we started riding!! 

There were LOTS of other cyclists on the GWB

We got onto the George Washington Bridge bike/pedestrian pathway.  It was crazy busy due to all the cyclists.  There is a big cycling route through that area and there were hundreds of cyclists in singles and groups, some with racing uniforms and shaved legs!!  Then we made our way through Manhattan along the west side of the island.  It was awesome!  We couldn’t ride very fast because there were TONS of people on the pathways: rollerbladers, bikes, pedestrians, you name it!  We made it to the Staten Island ferry terminal, where we assembled as a big group.

On the ferry, statue of liberty in the background

Once off the ferry, we had a police escort for our whole time on Staten Island.  We rode as a big group, first to Project Hospitality (an amazing mission working with homeless and  low income families and individuals on Staten Island), then to Midland beach for our tire dipping.  Midland beach is one of the areas that was hardest hit by Hurricane Sandy and Terry (the current leader of Project Hospitality) told us that there are still families who are unable to return to their homes as they are mould infested now after months of being wet and in disrepair.  We dipped our tires, took some pictures, then headed on to Mt. Loretto, where we stayed for the night.

My Dad and I!!!

MADE IT!!!

Blue rodeo at the beach!

We set up tents for one last time, boxed our bikes (I with help from Kaitlyn’s dad – THANKS!!!) and got ready for our last dinner together.  We had a great time remembering tour events as a group and hearing more about the work of Project Hospitality and some other Partner organizations of the tour (World Renew, Partners Worldwide and the RCA).  A great end to a great trip!  We spent some time saying goodbye to those heading out right away, then those of us staying hung out for a bit, but as I was still on just 2.5 hrs of sleep, I faded pretty quickly!  It’s good to know that after 9 weeks of full nights of sleep uninterrupted by calls (like my normal life), I can still function on little sleep!  Stayed tuned for a final thoughts post, hopefully coming soon!  For now, it’s back to work on Thursday after a great 3 day vacation in New York City with my parents and Rachel Kiers (another rider).  Thanks for following along with me on this trip – it was an amazing experience!

As part of the closing ceremonies, we sang as song we had written as part of a small group challenge, which was to make sounds with your bike.  This song is to the tune of “Cups” and we used our bikes for the clapping:

I’ve got my ticket for Grand Rapids now.

We’ll stop by Holland on the way.

But around me all I see

Are Dutch people surrounding me.

Oh, it’s time to play bingo, whatta ya say?

Jerusalem,

In Michigan.

We sure do miss you now we’re gone.

We do miss your bleach blond hair,

Six foot people everywhere.

Oh, you know that we do miss you now we’re gone.

I’ve got my ticket now for Canada.

We’ll take the ferry ‘cross the bay.
But the rain is keeping me

Stuck here in Imlay City

Why did we get up so early, anyway?

Canada

My home, sweet home

We’re gonna miss you when we’re gone.
We will miss your free health care

And Tim Horton’s everywhere

Oh you know we’re gonna miss you when we’re gone.

I’ve got my ticket now for Sea to Sea

To ride LA to NYC

And while we did predict some pain
We did not predict the rain

Still you know that there’s no place I’d rather be

Sea to Sea

2013

We’re gonna miss you when you’re done

We will miss your breakfast times

We will miss your dinner lines

Oh, you know we’re gonna miss you when you’re done.

Sea to Sea

2013

We’re gonna miss you when you’re done

We won’t miss flats or broken spokes

Or all those stupid marriage jokes

But you know we’re gonna miss you when you’re done.