Journey to Tour de Bronx Part 5: Time to Ride!

The day finally came when it was time to ride Lenny all over the Bronx. I couldn't sleep Saturday night. I felt like a kid the day before the first day of school. I was tossing and turning wondering what tomorrow was going to bring. I even woke up before my alarm went off. I must have checked my Weather Channel app 10 times to make sure I was dress right. My husband woke up to check on my brakes. I was very nervous. It's been five years since I've been on a bike. (It is very true that you never forget how to ride a bike once you learn.)

I was dress and ready to go too soon. I had planned on leaving at 8:30am so that I arrive at the Bronx County Court House by 9:30am. I was ready to go at 8am. I waited around....that did not help my nerves. When the time came I said my goodbyes to my little ones. Big Al wanted to come with me. I told him maybe next year.

I got on to Lenny. I felt very shaky. My balance is fine my nerves were making me shaky. I rode down the block to the stop sign at the end of the block and I got off. My brakes felt very loose. I called my husband and I told about the problem. He came outside and fix my brake problem. He seemed to be very frustrated with me since he had fixed them when Lenny was inside. He did not see my nervousness until I started crying. He said that things are going to be ok and if I wanted to stay home it was ok. I told him that I had to do this. So I got on my Lenny again and rode down the block. When I made to the Main Entrance of St. Barnabas hospital my blood started to flow and I felt better. I made my way to Washington Ave and rode all the way to East 161 street and up to the Bronx County Court House. (3.4 miles away from home)

I was very happy that I made to the court house. I rode and walked around after checking in. I was keeping my eyes peeled for my peoples, Kat and Sheryl. I really didn't see the ladies so I kept moving so I won't cool down two much. Suddenly, I see PINK!! I found Kat! YEAH! Oh man we hit it off right away. I wasn't expecting her to be as tall as me! AWESOME!

Me & Super Kat

We got started slowly. We got to chatting. The first couple of miles were great. Until I reached the first hill in St. Ann's park. I got off the bike and walked the hill long with another rider, Pink Bike and Pink Helmet. We knew it wasn't a good idea to ride the hill with so many people so close.  I passed by the handball courts that my sister and her hubby spent high school in. (Mostly hubby and his crew) We when reached Longwood (The 3 mile mark) I realized that I had no back brakes!!! OH NO! The pads worn down after only 8 miles! WTH! Kat told me I should feather to help me slow down. It helped a lot! Kat was so awesome the whole first half of the ride. She stopped and waited for me many, many, many times. She has legs of steel!

St. Ann's Handball courts

At the first rest stop in Crotona Park, I met Maureen from Inspired Cyclists. Nice to met you Maureen!
We made a quick conversation and it was time to go. I left the Park ready to go home. My anemia was kicking my booty!! I didn't let it stop even if I was only a few blocks away from my sister's house. She would welcome me and Lenny. I kept going.

Jennings & Hoe Ave

Of course the route would go up Jennings, one of the steepest hill in my old neighbor. I knew once I got over that hill I would be heading to the closed Sheridan. I couldn't wait to get there. When I reached West Farms (mile 6.42) that my front brakes worn down too!!! Oh no!! In my quick conversation with Maureen, we spoke about going old school with the breaking and use my foot. That is something I wasn't planning on but that's all I did as a child.

I couldn't help to stop and take a few pictures when I made it to the Sheridan. When I got back on my bike I notice I was having a hard time....so did someone else. He screamed out you need to lift your seat up and you'll be great. I pulled my seat back up and I was good to go.

Sheridan closed just for us!

I met up with Kat again when we were exiting the Sheridan. She slow down a little to keep to my pace. We rode through her neck of the woods the Soundview Greenway. It was breath taking.

Kat @Soundview

We made it to our 2nd rest stop at the YMCA. I got plenty of rest and ate a Fiber One bar, my favorite. I waited for Kat with Sandy D and we kept it moving. She fell back a little to chat with others and we met back up in St. Raymond Cemetery. I wanted to get out of there fast. I do not like cemeteries. As soon as we got out the "leader" of our pack got lost. We were all turning when this old lady stopped and quickly turned in front of me. Now remember I had no brakes at this point. So I did the smart thing and fell to the ground instead of running into the old lady. I had a flash back to my team sports days and fell correctly so I didn't break anything. YAY! Lenny was ok too. We got up and kept it moving.

@YMCA wondering if I could really finish this

At this point we were so far behind we had no police escort. Kat was a doll and directed our group! You go girl! We rode through: Silver Beach, Eastchester Bay and Country Club. I have never been to these neighborhoods, I was lost.

We finally made it to our 3rd rest stop, Pelham Bay Park. While there we met up with the greatest (and loudest) guys at the tour, Classic Bronx Club. These guys were too funny. One guy attached himself to Kat. Another guy kept telling me that my bike was beautiful and so was I. It was so corny, flattering and weird all at the same time. These guys were old enough to be my dad! This guys roll fast! I lost Kat and them after a few hills in the Pelham Bay area. On one hill I met up with Pink Bike and Pink Helmet. She was having a hard time because her muscle was spazzing out. She walked it off a little and got back on. I waited with her for a little while until she got back on her bike.

Classic Bronx Club. I just noticed that Lucille is in this picture. She has a red helmet and is behind the guy with the orange vest.

I started to slow down myself. The small hills were killing me. From Pelham Gardens to Bronx Park I had fallen behind the police escort again. That was very scary but I was the only one that fallen behind.  A family, mom, dad & son were riding at the son's pace but once they reached Shoelace Park they were good. I had rode/walked the last three miles with two other ladies. We kept each other company. Somewhere on White Plains Road I wanted to give up. I kept thinking, "If I call Roxanne, she'll come and get me. She loves me." Now that I look back that was a funny moment. When the ladies and I  stopped at a light blocks before the New York Botanical Gardens, I introduced myself to them. I rode/walked 3 miles with Maureen and Lucille. AWESOME! We made it to the last block and I went ahead and rode the rest of the way. I think they walked it.

@NYBG

When I got to the front gate it was 4pm. I rode for 7 hours 29 miles. I can't believe I did it. I got on the line for my tee-shirt and pizza. I didn't care about the pizza I just want to get my tee-shirt. I skipped the pizza line and made a bee-line to the tee-shirt. Small and medium were the only sizes left. I took a medium, Heck I'll fit into it next year. When started to head towards Kat, Sheridan guy stopped me and asked me about my seat. I told him I fixed the problem but the seat kept slipping. I told him I am going to get my husband to fix it. Then he whips out a card to promote his biking club, Tar Burning Tribe. Awesome!

I head to Kat and I found Sheryl. I tried my hardest to politely interrupted her conversation. Then out of no where is Asia lady interrupts me interrupting Sheryl. Sheryl thought we were together. No way! We had a short conversation. I didn't want to be rude and take up all her time. The guy she was talking to was kind of cute ;-) We took a picture together! YAY! I feel under dressed next to this fancy lady.

Me & Bitch Cakes, Weigh Watcher Celebrity

I finally made it to Kat and Sheryl did too. More pictures! I said my goodbyes and walked Lenny home.

Us bloggers always find each other

I can't believe I actually did this. Right before I got home I took a picture of Lenny in front of the stop where I almost gave up before I started.

Lenny

What an awesome day!