Jerry, Jackie and I were pleasantly surprised yesterday while passing through Storm King Village on Jerry's Misty Mountain Hop ride. We ran into Christy and Jody celebrating their wedding anniversary in style - lunching outdoors in the middle of a 40+ mile ride from Cold Spring.

They saw us first and called out. We chatted briefly but wanting to give the lovebirds their privacy (plus we had a train to catch) Jerry quickly snapped this photo (don't they look happy!), and we were off after wishing them a Happy Anniversary! 

https://picasaweb.google.com/115254052922838471231?authkey=Gv1sRgCJvkzNC8vdbQGw

When riding home from Grand Central today (after my scouting ride today got caught in drenching rain) several of us were crossing thru the Park on the 72nd st transverse.  When we got to the loop drive intersection on the west side, an auxilliary police officer was handing out pamphlets about an Operation Safe Cycle program.

We had stopped at the light there since we saw the cop, who turned out to be Officer Simon, handing out literature.  We spoke with him a little and asked a few questions.  He was pretty friendly.  One thing that was funny, was that he first asked if we wanted to see some 'propoganda'.

The vast majority of cyclists I know are responsible and respectful individuals for a number of reasons, including the fact that if we hit someone, we get hurt too!!  So it is in our own best interests to avoid accidents, which we do 99.99999% of the time.  The attitude that all cyclists should be banned or severely curtailed from using public roadways is discrimination, clear and simple....look at it this way....do we throw all cars off the road because of the actions of irresponsible motorists, of which there are FAR more than irresponsible cyclists?

I, personally, have gone as far as I am going to go to accomodate the anti-cyclist cry babies that continue to encroach on our rights to use the park for training in the early morning hours.  How much further do we have to go to accomodate these unreasonable whiners?  I would love to ride in the park in the late morning and early evening but DON'T because I am deferring to dog walkers and joggers and walkers and kids on tricycles and I don't want to risk an accident.  And I know dozens of other cyclists that I train with who feel the same way.  So I get up at 5 a.m. to do so, when those who are threatening our rights are still sleeping off their well-marbled steak and 4 martini dinners, with half a cheesecake for dessert!!

SIGN UP FOR OUR A20 RIDE ON SUNDAY AND PROVE YOU ARE A REAL MAN AND NOT A WEENIE!!!  

Dedicated to the "A20 Ride Proposed for Sunday, September 9"    Sign up for this ride - it will be fun as the leaders are strong and able.....but I - Derek - will crush you!

Please watch this educational video as to why I am am super strong now and will CRUSH you on the Sunday ride:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_YthEniLYI&feature=related

If you have ever gotten stuck during the annual Andiamo Motorcycle ride, it is no fun.  It is happening this Sunday.  They do not list the exact route on their website, but it does cover 501, Hardenburgh, and other roads we love to cycle on.  Good day for a Westchester ride...

I’m posting this for a friend who's looking for ~10 male cyclists for a commerical print shoot next Wednesday September 12 (rain date Friday September 14).

The opportunity is real and I know Lana personally. I myself will be one of the cyclists there. 

Respond direct to her at [email protected] with your height, weight and a recent pic if you're interested.

Basil  ([email protected] if you have any questions for me).

Details (inasmuch as they exist for now).

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Wednesday September 12^th.

Can still cross using North side.