The total was 55miles with 4000 feet of climbing. I thank Charlie for his new Garmin. The route went north on 9W to Bear Mountain and returned via a 5BBC route through Seven lakes Drive. A very nice path through mostly parks highlighted the return.
I will post the emails that Jon sent us about his ride. Jon had said that he knew that he would be dropped by us but still wanted to do the ride and Bear Mountain. Due to the temps close to 100F Jon had to cut his ride short and below is his story in two emails.
Email #1:
I
wanted to thank you for having me on the ride. I really felt it was
an accomplishment getting to and up Bear Mountain. I found the
hill before the entrance to the park the toughest of the day for some
reason - maybe because it was unexpected (up that hill and then a a
nice downhill into the park). Bear Mountain wasn't too bad it
was just a long, long, long grind. And to do this on the first
weekend of the tour - OMG. I felt good when I reached the top
(and I could tell by the way I just let lose going down the
mountain). Charlie then gave me money for water. Even coming up the
hill , Charlie came up beside me - he had asked other riders if
they had seen a rider with tattoos on his leg - guess they come in
handy - at least for ID purposes. Charlie was a gem to ride
with. But I knew something was wrong when I reached the
top - I didn't drink enough water - I even had a salty taste in my
mouth. When we got to Seven Lakes Drive/Road, I had ridden that road
before and knew it was up and down and pain in the neck grind out to
9W/S but it was doable. After I turned left on the traffic circle I
hit a wall. I can honestly say in 32 years of riding this had
never happened to me. Since high school, I have always
liked riding in the heat (even football practice in August) - love
the feeling of a sweaty work out. But this was different. It
wasn't my legs didn't feel cramps or tightness. A bad headache and
stomachnausea (tightness like I had to throw-up). Prior to the
circle I tried to eat a bar but couldn't chew it - had to spit it
out. So after the circle, I started walking. I was in a park,
to far to get picked up and in a dead cell phone area. In what
seemed like an hour but in reality was only a few minutes I started
to try to wave down a car . Previously I saw some riders
loading their bikes on a pick-up and entertained the
thought of asking for a ride but I was determined to ride. At first I
saw a taxi mini-van and waved him down but he couldn't take me as he
was picking up a fare. Then I looked for vans or SUV's thinking
that only those cars could fit my bike. I have to say not a lot of
traffic. Then any car. An old Chevy cavalier passed me by
and then did a u-turn. The couple said you don't look good.
I asked for a lift out of the park but they said they were going
to Nyack and would drive me. The man took off
the wheels and my bike believe it r not fit into that damn
little cars trunk. He turned on the a/c and kept telling to drink.
When we got to Nyack he loaded my bike in my car and told
me to sit and not drive. I tried to give him some money to
thank him but he refused. Folks, it was an act of kindness. I sat for
a half hour under a tree, I knew it was heat prostration given
the headache and that I felt hot even after I got home and
tool a cold shower - all night. I was quite taken by the kindness of
the couple.All in all it was a great day. I
climbed the longest climb of my life with some nice
riders. Thank you all.
Please
forward this to Charlie as I do not have his e-mail.
Thank
you all for a great day - but I will do this ride again and complete
it albeit . . . on a cooler day.
Jon
Email #2:
Hello
al,
This
is all in response to your supporative e-mails. But first would some
one send me Charlie's e-mail address.
First
- thank you all. I suppose this is one of the reasons that we ride
together. Second - the ride for me was not a bust. I felt a great
deal of satisfaction to be able to complete the ride up to and the
climb up Bear Mtn. For Jeff, Ruperts Mtn in Vermont is a cake
walk compared although I believe Vt is a higher elevation - Bear mtn
just goes up and up for 4.4 miles (least not forget the hill on 9N
before the entrance - it was there that I realized I was way too low
on water). But Once I recovered I felt good. Yes and thank you
Isaac, I will complete the whole ride before the end of the season.
In order to put the 55 mile ride in perspective - it is tougher than
the MS Century.
But
I look forward to seeing you all out on the road.
With
love and graditude,
Jon
We will see you back on Bear Mountain Jon and on the North Shore.
Isaac
