It was a fundraiser in support of kids and adults with mental disabilities. It was in the cold (sometimes freezing) rain, with heavy winds, and my bike tire sprung a leak at the 18 mile marker that had me stopping to pump air every 30 minutes. I couldn't get a spare tire because I was riding "tubular" sew-up tires and I had packed my own spare tire in the wrong bag!
To make a long story short, I got off course for 4 miles (8 miles out and back) and eventually didn't finish the full 90. I made it to the third support stop at the 62 mile mark and was so cold that it was hard to stop shaking. Here are the stragglers (me included) walking our bikes across the finish line in Hyannis Port.
On the bright side, I got to shake hands with a presidential candidate and I even rode with him for a bit. I hope he runs again in 2008, HE did finish the ride. Kerry is genuine and tough.
The next day, back in New York, being frustrated at not having finished I went for a 20 mile bike ride around Manhattan and Brooklyn to make up for it. I'm hoping this is the year I get back on the bike.
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