RePete did attend the Pro Championship race in Philly on
June 11th. As planned, left
from Williamstown and crossed the river using PATCO. Over the years the popularity of this event has grown and so have
the crowds. I began my cycling in
Philly on Locust Street at Ninth arriving near 11:00 with 8 laps
remaining. This was about 2 hours
beyond my usual arrival time. Stayed
only long enough to see the racers go by once…then started out for “The
Wall.” I have grown accustomed to the
Philadelphia Police harassing cyclist along the route. That was no different on that day
either. Decided to climb Ridge Road on
the sidewalk…would you know one of Philly’s “finest” took issue with that
and told me to walk the bike!!! At the
top in Manayunk, I stayed long enough to see several laps and was able to get
excellent viewing locations for each.
One at the top of the infamous “Wall.”
Then made my way back to the Parkway for the finish of the race shortly
after 3:00. For a report on this event
go to:
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=cycling&id=2479909
Regret not being able to be with you at the Get Ready on
June 3rd. The son of my
wife’s cousin was confirmed that day.
Attempted to obtain some information about this ride in the club’s
website…but found nothing available.
This is disappointing and difficult to understand. Can only believe there is something in the
newsletter. The club has a great
resource with their website that is being grossly underutilized.
As reported last month, RePete and the Mrs are
celebrating their 35th wedding anniversary with a cruse to the
Caribbean. We selected Princess Lines
and sailing on the Crown Princes…their
newest ship. We have never taken a
cruise and are looking forward to this experience. Our early going was in true RePete style. We went to apply for our Passports using the
birth certificates with the raised seal from our birth county, that being
Hudson…well, the Federal Government is no long recognizing those
certificates!!!! No passports would be
issued. We had saved these documents
through the years and all our moves, now we are told they are little more than
trash. Why??? Because the county government was so corrupt they were selling
birth certificates to anyone willing to pay the price!!! We travel to the great city of Trenton to
obtain new certificate containing the state seal. Since our state is so squeezed for money, the fee for each of
these was increased from $4 to $25. We
now have our passports but I am now confused…why can’t the state simply do what
the county did to raise money…simply sell these to anyone willing to meet the
price??!! Maybe put a sign on the door
at the now closed Hudson County office indicating the going price and referring
them to Trenton. The State could corner
the terrorist market!!!! We may not be
safe…but at least we will not be taxed to death. Once again New Jersey gets a black eye for government gone
bad!!! For more details go to:
http://www.retailindustrynetwork.com/NovitalsinHudson.htm
Looking ahead…we have the Tour de France going off on
July 1. This year will be strange not
having Lance in the race. Here are two
links that will help with staying on top of this great event.
http://www.tdfblog.com/
http://www.olntv.com/cyclysm/
RePete is again considering to participate in the Pub to
Pub charity tour…
participants must raise $
125.00 (or $175 if you register the day of the race) in pledge donations that
benefit Project Home, a Philadelphia charity that since 1989 has helped more
than 7000 men, women and children break the cycle of homelessness plaguing our
city. Specifically, the funds raised will sponsor children attending the
Honickman Learning Center and Comcast Technology Lab in North Philadelphia,
kindergarten through 3rd grade. More
can be found at http://www.irishpubphilly.com/. Let me know if you wish to contribute. These will be greatly appreciated.
Keep abreast of my
Quest Tours by checking into Bicycling
Adventures – Unlimited. You can
also keep checking into http://www.sjwheelmen.org/
message board for late breaking rides.
RePete is planning to do either his trip to Smithville or the
challenging Highland’s Tour. Drop me a
message if you have a favorite or would like to join me.
Enough for now…
Safe cycling,
www.oocities.org/repete_bike