With proper planning the night before we slept in till 8am for day two. We were instructed to be ready to roll out at 9 am. As we made our way out of the hotel and out into the parking lot everyone appeared well rested and was excited about the ride that would take us into Philadelphia.
We left Princeton, NJ into two groups. The first group was going to be the fast group of riders. The riders who could not be kept up with the pack would have to be picked up by the sag wagon and would not get to ride until the group meet up for lunch. The second group would go at it a little slower. Seeing on how we still had about 540 miles to go and we our legs were cold I elected to ride with the slower riders.
Once we got out town the ride was on small two-lane back country roads lined with large trees. These scenery of the rolling hills of Pennsylvania was beautiful. The large estates built in the 1800s gave away to farm houses. We still got the same looks from people as we rode into small Pennsylvania towns- looks of amazement of seeing ambulances followed by cyclist followed by more ambulances.
The ride organizers were very particular about how we rode. Single fill. No exceptions. Not too fast. And not to slow. This proved problematic for most of us who were used to riding in groups. This kept you from talking to anyone. Or passing. Or moving out of the way of a slower riders. And so of course I did not make their happy list of people. I should of elected to ride in the fast paced group. Lets just say I was glad I had my ipod today to get me through the 30 miles we did at an 11 mile and hour pace. If it weren’t for the gorgeous scenery and the tunes coming from my ipod I am sure I would have elected to ride in the sag.
Both groups meet at Washington Park on the Delaware. We dined like Kings and Queens on PP&G and sliced deli meat. After eating and resting up - the water bottles were filled up and we were off for the second part of the day.
This time we were kept in a single group. Some of the slower rides called it done for the day and loaded their bikes into the sag wagon. The first part of the ride was perfect riding weather - the temperature was about 60 degrees and warming slowly. The sun was out and the wind was none. After lunch the temperate began to climb into the mid 70’s and with this the wind began to pick up.
We were finally rode as a pack of riders - with a nice steady speed - and able to ride 2 x 2 - the ipod came off and I was able to strike up conversation with the other riders. The guy from the morning half of the ride who was so insistent about riding in single fill because of “safety” reasons was now at the front of the pack showing off by weaving his bike back-n-forth.
When we came into Philly we had another PD escort. The PD officer who was our escort/pace car was the best. He kept the group of 47 riders together - the pace was not too fast but not to slow. We went through some rough looking neighborhoods but we got many waves with all the fingers and many positive honks of horns in support of the ride.
About 5-8 miles from the hotel my cleat broke! I had to sag out the rest of the ride :( . Thank God we had a bike mechanic Ted (who is also the medical director from Maine) was able to fix my cleat! THANK YOU TED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dinner was provided by Collingwood Fire/EMS. We were welcomed us into their station for dinner. The station was none like I had ever scene. They had a Hall kinda like a VFW hall - there was a bar - yes a bar - they handed us a beer! :) Nice and cold after a long day on a bike. Dinner was a combination of philly steak sandwiches and pasta. And a dessert table as big as the dinner buffet!
The dinner was again outstanding their hospitality was wonderful. THANK YOU COLLINGWOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When we got back to the hotel a group of folks headed to the world famous Geno's for an originally Philly cheese steak sandwich. I was spent - but now after I had rested and let my first dinner digest I wish I had gone with them. I will have to remember this side trip for next year.
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