The day had finally arrived that everyone had been waiting for: the start of the cross-country bike ride! For all the conditioning, camaraderie, and coordination the team had built, this was something new. We all felt different rolling out of Central Park than we did through any of our training rides or even yesterday just being in the city together.
I (Cole) rode alongside Parker, Tada, and Ehsan and despite the weather, which you will hear much about through this journal entry, smiles were on our faces almost the whole day. I know that those in the other groups on the road felt the same because of how we acted while gathering in the morning and in that we all hold a similar aspiration for adventure.
Ride Overview
Distance: 78.9 miles + 3.5 miles (from stayover to Strawberry Fields) = 82.4 miles
Elevation: +3,763 ft. / -3,653 ft. (ascended / descended)
Points of Interest: Strawberry Fields, George Washington Bridge, New York/New Jersey Border, Round Valley Reservoir
Tales of the Trail
It is hard to understate how monumental a day this was for the entire team. We are now committed more than we ever have been before.
The day started with a reminder of who we are helping, why we are riding, and how much we mean to our loved ones. After waking up bright and early at 5:15 am to pack and have the traditional instant oatmeal breakfast of the Illini 4000, we stood in our team circle, determined the riding groups, and pumped ourselves up for what was happening. As wheels started turning, whoops and hollers could be heard on 126th St. and down Amsterdam Ave. Rolling up to Strawberry Fields in Central Park, a location we had seen in pictures of past teams who had already accomplished similar missions to what lay ahead for us but which we could never quite imagine ourselves, we saw friends and family waiting to wish us well on our journey. We were also joined by Nico, a representative from the B+ Foundation, who shared a quick story about one of the families their organization recently helped; a mother and son who was dealing with childhood cancer. Your donations to us as a team are going towards this cause which has been able to pay rent for this mother and child so they can focus on moving forward with life and getting back to full health. We took pictures, met Ben Wooley (a 2-time Illini 4000 rider in 2013 and 2015), and said goodbyes to loved ones. This was real.
The entire team standing with our B+ Foundation banner at Strawberry Fields in Central Park, New York City. (from left to right back row: Vedang, Maaike, Cole, Ehsan, Sam, Nishk, Aadit, Anthony; and from left to right front row: Ren, Parker, Lauren, Tada, Max)
At long last, it was time to push the pedals for our Day 1 ride to Clinton, New Jersey. Waving and hollering some more, we went out on 72nd St., then Riverside Dr., eventually making our way to the Hudson River Greenway. This took the team all the way to the George Washington Bridge, our path off of Manhattan and into New Jersey. Taking a moment to appreciate waving goodbye to our first state, everyone then powered on.
Getting ready to cross the George Washington Bridge, two teams stopped for a photo. The first (from left to right) was Ren, Aadit, Anthony, and Max.
The second was (from left to right) Sam, Lauren, Vedang, and Nishk.
Tada (left) and Parker (right) celebrating entering their first new state, New Jersey!
From here forward, we were back into what was more normal riding. Let me take a brief moment to say just how bad this riding weather was. Some areas along our route experienced over 1 in. of rain during the day, the temperatures ranged from 50°F - 55°F, and the rain really did not let up until around the last 15 miles. We were soaking wet even upon arrival in Central Park and no one, and I mean no one, was enjoying the riding conditions at all. Okay, covered.
Trying to dry off and fix a flat tire in a public restroom having just entered New Jersey.
In the ride, the first event outside of those which were geographical was the first flat tire. At mile 11, Cole picked up a pinch flat and the group along with one more that caught them along the way made an unofficial rest stop out of a public bathroom which was conveniently warm and dry. From there, those riding met Maaike’s encouraging smile at the first official rest stop and stocked up on calories that were necessary to keep our bodies functioning through physical exertion and mental perseverance. Continuing on again was a challenge, but eventually we did and found some fun neighborhoods and parks through the beginning of New Jersey. The second rest stop was also a tough one because we knew many more miles were still to come. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches lifted our spirits enough to exit the lot and carry on once more. By the third rest stop, the mood was significantly improving. The rain was slowing. Two groups had met each other on route and briefly mingled in a larger group to add for some new conversation and encouragement, and we knew we could make the rest of the ride happen. From there, the scenery continued to improve albeit with more climbs up hills to conquer, but we were enjoying nature instead of lamenting it. The reservoir we passed near the end was beautiful and the last couple of hills stand now only to have strengthened us. We rolled into the parking lot of the Clinton United Methodist Church.
Beaten and battered but satisfied with our accomplishments, the community in the town of Clinton came together to bring us to shower and at the church provide us a lovely dinner. We discussed our own personal “Tales of the Trail” and settled in for bed.
Maaike (front) showing enthusiasm for her riding teammates Ren (second), Aadit (right), Cole (middle, orange), Parker (left), Ehsan (behind Aadit) and Anthony (behind Parker).
Round Valley Reservoir as seen from the route
Quotes of the Day
“The only century you’ll see me do is my tire pressure.”
In reference to Ren pumping her tires to 100 psi, shocking all of us who run wider tires that would explode under such pressure.
For the driver and our ride leader Maaike, this was a difficult day coming out of the city. She made it more than fine though exclaiming at one point,
“I parallel parked a Ford Transit (van) in New York City!”
Extra
This was many of our first nights wanting to wash up clothes after accumulating the grit and grime from the roads as it splashed and splattered with the rain. We learned that getting the clothes “clean” in terms of smell and feel was possible with our sink and bag laundry setups, but removing all the sediment was very difficult. Hopefully we encounter a laundromat the next time we have such bad weather. Confidence is high in clothes washing for the hot and sweaty days sure to come though.
One team stumbled upon a horse statue they just had to take a picture with. (from left to right: Tada, Parker, Ehsan, Cole)
Cyclists Corner
How are you feeling today?
Nervous and excited at the same time. Things went good and things went bad, but what else are you going to expect on day 1? I feel like I got the I4k experience, I can say that.
What was your favorite part of today's ride?
Riding over the bridge from New York to New Jersey!
What motivated you to join Illini4000?
Originally when I joined I all I heard about was bikes. When I learned more about the cause, it reminded me of my grandpa who died of cancer and so many and so many of his family members. He was a big cyclist, so a big reason that I am on this ride is to honor him. When I think about cycling I think of my dad and his dad and their experiences with cancer. Recently when I've been on my bike that has been what's in my head: there are generations of my line that have done this and those people have all had to deal with cancer experiences. My grandpa died prematurely during covid. He could have lived longer, but the hospitals were overrun, and he died because of hospital management during that time. Research is very important and recently i've been thinking a lot about the B+ foundation and how supporting families is what really makes an impact and how it can have an impact on families like mine.
Before joining Illini4000 how much bike training had you done, if any, and did you have any other athletic background that you feel prepared you for this ride?
I have biked for a long time, ever since I was a kid. I did RAGBRAI (which stands for Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa), and that definitely prepared me because it is endurance cycling. It gave me the vibe-check and understanding as to what group cycling looks like. I also play ultimate frisbee which helps in a different way. I understand the mental game of sports more and how the way that you think about what you are doing has such a heavy impact on how you do it and how hard it is. Today when we were going up one of those hills I was thinking: “this hill is easy.” And somehow that made the hills easier. I think ultimate frisbee taught me that it is really all in your head.
What is your bike's name/model?
She's a trek 1.2 womens specific design, I think made between 2006-2013, and her name is RainbowDash. She's an extra extra small.
What are you most nervous/excited about?
I am nervous about my brakes, they disintegrated today. They were fine this morning and then at mile 40 I looked down and I couldn't stop. (Note from Parker: they have been fixed :). Most excited about? Honestly, the 40 miles today was in considerably miserable conditions and I had a great time. So my thought is I am very excited for every day that we get to have and all the things we are going to get to see. I got to see so much even though I only went 40 miles. Even though it was raining and kind of sad the whole time, I saw so much and interacted with so many people who were driving by.
Anything else you would like to talk about?
Today we got really wet and it was kind of sad and now all of our stuff is drying on chairs. The church today is really nice to us, our stayover is awesome! They gave us yummy food.