Today was the annual Ride & Run for the Rescue to benefit the Rescue Mission in Syracuse, NY. This event offers a 62-mile, 40-mile, 20-mile, and 10-mile bike ride, as well as a timed 5k race and 2-mile family fun run. Talk about something for everyone! The Rescue Mission provides three meals a day, 365 days a year to those in need. With schools out for the summer, they are projecting the need to provide over 70,000 meals in the coming months, making this fundraiser even more important.
The weather forecast for the day was less than favorable leading up to today, but turned out to be pretty great on the ride. The temps were perfect and the rain came in spurts which was really quite refreshing. The skies let loose the most once the majority of the riders from all rides were finishing up, but there were still plenty of people out on the course I do imagine.
Last year was my first year EVER doing a bike ride event. Up until then I had stuck to running road races and such. I took on the 40-mile ride last year so this year I definitely had an idea of what to expect. My riding buddies (they’re my running buddies too), had already decided they wanted to do the alternate route because there are a couple killer inclines in the beginning third of 40-mile course – we’re talking a hill climb to stop you in your tracks, as well as a 2-mile slow steady climb to get those legs really burning. The downside to the alternate route (in my mind) is 1. Easy to get misplaced out on the course because the alternate route didn’t seem to be marked [I very well could have missed the arrows], and 2. It shortens the course. None the less, the alternate course is still a challenge. There are plenty of flat portions, and climbs along the way. 40 miles is that perfect distance for myself personally because it pushes me out of my comfort zone just enough to make me keep coming back. (Let’s not forget the added challenge of lack of sleep! Working second shift I got just over 3hrs of sleep before hitting the road. This resulted in a 5hr nap once I got home. My cat didn’t seem to mind!)
Having participated last year I knew a bit more of what to expect in terms of the finish, and want to point out that the RM did an amazing job of making some small changes that absolutely stood out to me. Last year I didn’t really know what to do when I entered the park for the finish. There was no “finish line” marked for the riders because it’s not a timed course. This year there were START and FINISH flags to mark those areas specifically. Having Volunteers at different points of the Parking Lot towards the Finish “line” handing out the medals was another great-added touch.
And how could I forget to mention the post-race food – WOWSERS! Mission District Catering (The Rescue Mission’s food service entity) handled the post race food this year and it was DELICIOUS! I’m a big fan of chicken to start with, but this was just amazing. Not sure what the seasoning/spices were, but it was cooked perfect, nice and juicy. They offered a rice/couscous dish, a bean and tomato offering, and a complete fruit kabob with a grape, muskmelon, cantaloupe, pineapple, and kiwi piece on it. (admittedly I didn’t not go for the rice or veggie offering, but was a huge fan of the chicken and fruit as you can tell) I forgot to mention the FREE offerings of ice cream, cotton candy, and popcorn…and there could have been more that I missed.
I even took the time to check out the Expo Tent and the Raffle Baskets (I didn’t win unfortunately) before heading out as a shower and my bed were calling me.
So as you can tell by this very in-depth recap, and sort of one with a different spin on it compared to my usual recaps, it was a great event and one that I will once again be looking forward to in 2019 (as should you). Can’t forget to give a shout out to The Bikery in Baldwinsville for keeping riders going out on the course who experienced a flat tire. I stopped to help one person who had a flat and another rider did as well who thankfully had the direct number to get in touch with the van to come out and take care of things. Simply amazing!
Until next time…
Pre-Ride Selfie, Post-Ride Selfie, Group Pre-Ride Selfie