Freewheel’n – July 2004
RePete extends his regrets for not being at the Get Ready…unfortunately there was a family event. My niece celebrated her daughter’s first birthday. This was a great time to see many family members that had become distant. I do hope all enjoyed themselves on this tour as I did at the birthday party.
Then
there were the most unbelievable happenings with issues that developed for the
Wachovia USPRO. This very anticipated event was a major disappointment
that were partly due to personal problems.
How can I put this delicately? Let me say nothing was moving.
The problem cleared near 9:00, well to late for my tour.
Decided to take PATCO into Philadelphia. After arriving at the race, my
camera failed to work and spent about an hour looking for a store that sold
button batteries. Despite a fresh set installed, the camera still refused
to operate! The cool, damp weather only contributed to this lack luster
day. To any and all that waited in vain for me to show…I’m sorry. For information on race results, photos and
more…go to:
http://www.procyclingtour.com/race_overview.cfm/race_id/6
Now…coming
up is the Tour de France. I don’t know about you…would really like Lance
to win, but there just seems so many obstacles. The biggest is that no
one has won six…his age is simply another. Can he do it? Maybe six
is beyond the reach of anyone. Guess if anyone can do this feat,
Armstrong is the one. Separately, it is
wonderful news that the Discovery Communications, the media company that owns the Discovery
Channel will take over title sponsorship of the team from the United States
Postal Service. This is not only good
news for the team but should provide additional exposure for our sport. For more on this story go to:
http://www.bicycling.com/article/0,3253,8741,00.html?category_id=367
Since
greatness has been mentioned, there is an excellent story in July issue of
Bicycling magazine about John Sinibaldi.
Seems this young 90 year old has been riding his bike in Florida since
1975. He has been cycling long before
that. In fact, in 1935 he won his first
race. Now he is not simply riding…he
leads out rides. As writer Steve Friedman puts it, “…I am drafting a
90-year-old man. I never imagined
writing a sentence like that.” This
amazing individual has his roots (or is that routes?) right here in New Jersey,
in Union City to be exact. Yes…RePete
is familiar with John’s hometown. My
roots are in Jersey City, which is only a short distance down Hudson (ah…now
Kennedy) Boulevard. You simply must read this article about a man that is now
called “The Legend.”
July
10th also brings my Atlantic Highland’s tour…this is a great
ride. Leaving from Battlefield Park outside of Freehold, we climb to Mt.
Mitchell in the Atlantic Highland’s.
The view is fantastic…but second to the route. Information can be located in the ride section of this
newsletter. See details in my web site
at:
http://www.oocities.org/repete_bike/Quest-060.html.
In
closing…this year seems to have a special energy. Anyone reading this piece and has yet to ride, you are missing
out on this excitement. Put those
chores aside, pump up those tires and get out on your bike!!! Now!!!