Start: Leaving Woodcrest - All went well...small problem with sensor on cyclometer. Simply needed to be inserted in the shoe on the fork.

First Rest Stop: Waterford (18 miles)- Bypassed as felling strong. Later found out that many male cyclist received tickets. Seems there were not enough porta-potties and were caught relieving themselves in the rear of a nearby building!

On the Road: Beyond Waterford - Caught Jeanie and Andrea in a headwind. Asked Andrea to get ahead of me so “I can draft.” We exchanged friendly barbs.

Lunch: Hammonton Park (30 miles) - Long stay of approximately 45 minutes...seen a pair from the South Jersey Wheelmen. They commented that no one had indicated that they would be riding in the MS at the last meeting. Food was plentiful featuring hoagies from Subway. Pulled out and seen Jeanie and Andrea...began to shadow Andrea who pulled off allowing me to pass.

On the Road: Beyond Hammonton - Tried to meet a woman who was riding near my pace. Thought she was speaking to me only to be told that her comments were meant for her female ridding partner. Caught Ken and asked him to draft behind me...he could not hold the pace.

Rest Stop: Gem Refrigeration (50 miles) - Talked with Ken and tried to get him on the century route. Average speed at this point was 15.99 mph.

On the Road: Beyond Gem Refrigeration - Began to feel tired...wind, speed, heat and distance combined to slow pace. Stayed ahead of Ken...other cyclists passed me.

Rest Stop: Upper Township (65 miles) - Average speed down to 15.6 mph...hear really being felt. Met Ken again...he would not ride the century and elected the shorter route to finish early for a nap.

On the Road: Century Loop - Pace slowed even more and was pass by Mike of GA in a strong headwind. Recaptured some speed on the return loop after the wind was at my back.

Rest Stop: Return to Upper Township (88 miles)- Poured water on my head to cool down...temperature in 80’s!!

On the Road: Into Ocean City - Somewhat refreshed...crossed bridge and raced along West End Avenue passing many! The price was to become exhausted.

Finish: Ocean City - Checked into the St. James and met the GA gang at the Ebb Tide...a very comfortable townhouse not far from the beach and Civic Center.

Overnight: Ocean City - I got the first floor digs complete with a television, bath and bikes. The early plan had this area to myself...later Ken decided to share. Dinner consisted of the standard meatball, spaghetti, rolls, ice cream, salad, tea and coffee. Crew broke into smaller groups as the seating was crowded. I went with Ron Profizza...we discussed issues being created with the merger with GA and CU.

The long day produced a short evening. After dinner the group decided to stroll the boardwalk. I elect to head back to the townhouse stopping along the way at the Fudge Kitchen to buy taffy and some nuts.

The remainder of the evening was spent preparing for the trip. I had modified the route from the 75 to 100 miles. This would provide back to back centuries...a feat I had never done!!!

Morning: Ocean City - My sleep was interrupted by an errant alarm at around 3:00. Could only doze after that and finally decided to prepare for the day. All went well except my sunglasses could not be located.

Breakfast consist of various donuts, bagels and cereal. Joined Ken and Dwight and they talked while my mine was busy with concerns about the days ride and the missing sunglasses.

Returned to the townhouse after breakfast and discovered we were locked out. I had been given one of the keys the night before...and left this on a table. Since the doors were unlocked throughout the night, there seemed little reason to believe anyone would lock them in the morning. The group I was with were able to enter...unfortunately for me, I had returned to the breakfast hall to search for someone who did have a key. After that incident was resolved, found the missing sunglasses and my billfold that contained telephone, medical and presciption cards!!!!

On the Road: Beyond Ocean City - Rode with the 75 mile group for the first 8 miles. Separated at Highway #610 as I headed west toward Highway #47. This route overlapped part of yesterday’s century loop. Passed the Mouse Trap Bowling Lanes for the second time...this sits by itself and seems oddly out of place.

On the Road: Going Solo - Now on my own and reached my first turn at Highway #47 without incident and headed north. Soon detour signs began to appear...what could they mean? Could the road really be closed? I hoped traffic was only restricted but would allow a bicycle to pass through. Enjoyed cycling with nearly no traffic. Well...this is going just fine until reaching West Creek Bridge. Here the roadway crossing the creek was gone!

There was no choice but to back track for about 2 miles and go on Highway #550 Spur. This provide lovely scenery until Highway #347 where traffic was very heavy. A wide shoulder provided a small buffer for safety.

Merged again with Highway #47 after several miles. Then went west on Highway #548. This long stretch of road offered no change of scenery, mile after mile of trees. There seemed to be no end to this road when Highway #49 suddenly appeared...returning me to the MS Route just outside of Head of the River. At this point a total of over 40 miles had been ridden. Distance was fine but the time put me just ahead of the “Broom Wagon!” Apparently I was the last rider on the course. For the next few miles this vehicle followed me into my first rest stop.

Rest Stop: Gem Refrigeration - Barely had time to drink several cups of water and refill my bottles with Gatorade. Had a brief chat with a volunteer and informed I was well behind. Nothing else could be done but to get back on the road...

On the Road: Beyond Gem Refrigeration - Began to pass several stragglers. The first was an elderly oriental woman doing the tour in sandals. She is a fixture and has been seen on earlier MS Tours. Caught and passed a pair of women outside of Mays Landing. There were also a couple of guys as we approached Hammonton Park and the lunch stop. This was over 70 miles and my energy was fading fast! Happiness was seeing a lunch sign indicating “2 miles ahead.”

Lunch Stop: Hammonton Park - Heaven appeared in the form of this park...nearly 75 miles out of Ocean City and my first significant rest! Unfortunately a MS staffer had different ideas. She said that I needed to be on the road and this was just before completing my second sandwich. Advised her that there were a few riders in back of me. To this she replies that there was only one! Apparently the stragglers were being scooped off the route leaving me again near last. After a well deserved detour into the men’s room...pulled out of heaven.

On the Road: Beyond Hammonton Park - The roads became more familiar as several more riders were passed. The first approaching Highway #206, then a couple along Waterford Road. Here again a strong headwind blew. Thankfully only 12 short miles were between me and the next rest area.

Rest Stop: Waterford - With over 85 miles completed, found a shady location to pour water on my head. It had become very hot. The temperature broke a record for the day with a reading of 91! Talked with a father/daughter duo about being chased by the “Broom Wagon” out past Gem Refrigeration. My heart sunk seeing this vehicle enter the
parking area!

On the Road: Beyond Waterford - Rushed out of Waterford leaving behind my two water bottles. Noticed these were missing after about 1/2 mile and returned to reclaim them. What followed was a game of Pac-Man!! Now a yellow school bus was on my rear wheel. This had become the “Broom Wagon.” Like Pac-Man, I scurried to avoid being gobbled. Yet again I needed to pass some stragglers...and none could be seen. Here, there and everywhere I was chased by the Pac-Man school bus. Just outside of Atco along came my salvation...past another pair of riders. Now the Pac-Man gave way to them!

Soon others were passed. Glanced at my cyclometer that indicated less than 10 miles remained out of my 100. Crossed Highway #73 and now into the final stretch...now the “Jersey Rockies” were ahead. Just outside of Woodcrest appeared a particularly short but steep climb. The legs of many riders failed to handle as they walked their bikes to the top. My steed did not want to be walked. We started the climb...stroke after stroke and unbelievably the top approached and this challenge was done.

Another rider tried to pass me in the final miles. Dispatched this final challenge and cruised into Woodcrest some 8 hours after leaving Ocean City.

Final Thoughts - What else can be said...well the most memorable moment was leaving Ocean City on Sunday. Here on the side of the road and sitting in a wheelchair was a woman holding a sign that read, “Thank you MS riders.”

I have participated in other charity tours. This is the best organized and supported. Details about this illness can be found by simply clicking on Multiple Sclerosis. I must thank General Accident Insurance Company for being my sponsor and hope others will support future tours.

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Email me at repete@snip.net if you have any question about tours, Multiple Sclerosis or have comments on any cycling issues.

Safe Cycling,

RePete

10/20/98

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