Jacob crossing back into NY from NJ
Hello to everyone tuning in to the 2021 ride! My name is Marielle Asensio and I’m the journalist this year! I’ll be updating this website every day from May 22nd to August 7th. Huge thanks to Jonathan Yuen for refining the website, and a special thanks to all of our readers, supporters, and donors! We also absolutely must give a special shoutout to Mike and the Cyclesport, New Jersey team for being so helpful and kind in getting Sofie get a new bike today :)
After months of training, meetings, fundraising, and an extended layover in Reagan Airport (with a limited view of the Washington Monument from the gate windows) we finally made it to New York City! Times Square and lower Manhattan were exciting and we had plenty of walking and bagels to prepare for our first day on the bikes.
Jacob, Ryan, Camden, and Aaditya in NY, NY
We officially started this trip in Central Park and left Strawberry Fields at about 8am, with some family and friends attending to watch us roll out into the city (Claire N.’s favorite part of the day). The Hudson River proved great company to most— rivers are not Ryan’s cup of tea; as he said, bridges combine water and heights, two of the worst things besides cold pizza.
Maya and Claire P. hanging out during a rest stop
Bear Mountain State Park gave us some challenging but not devastating hills and rewarded us with beautiful views as we rode through a bit of New Jersey and then back into southern New York. Some of us stopped at a butterfly garden and others at a bakery in Nyack, NY for carrot cake, muffins, and coffee.
A harbor in NY (thanks Kate for the photo!)
Tonight we stay in Beacon, NY and are all enjoying its great food and company after a long and hot day.
With the support van decorated with our names and a day counter, our sleeping bags and mats laid out, and an exhausted and happy team-- our journey has begun!
Bang and Willard loving life after climbing a gnarly hill
Gibby and Willard on the road