This begins our very hot summer weather with recent years to 110F and even beyond with higher total day ratings. BE SURE to check the dehydration warning for any bicycling on hot days, rest frequently, and be very, very careful.
July 4th, 1999, Sunday: Today is the FOURTH of JULY!! Our original plan was to travel to and attend the rousing annual celebration at the Mt. Vernon National Historic Bill of Rights Site at the St. Paul's Church. The day went horrible. From last week we repaired the flat tube and replaced the worn tire. However, after two quick practice laps the tire again went flat. We repaired the tire again with cloth tape and a makedo sticky patch, but it did not hold as the cloth tape did not provide an air barrier. The mastic tape from last week did work as it gave an air proof barrier. Then we tried a spare unused tube; it exploded on inflation. Finally, we did use the makedo patch and bicycled to a nearby shop where we had the flat repaired and bought two extra tubes and a patching kit. However, by that time the sky had turned to thunder and lightening. Viewing that we cancelled to our own much sadness at missing the annual historic celebration with town band, day speakers, historic speakers, tours of the site and library, and general festivities. {{BooHoo!!!}}
Our ad hoc speech had we made the event: "It is truly an honor and enjoyable reward to join with the Bill of Rights Site officers, Mt. Vernon town superiors, and community leaders and people for this important day and celebration event. Having bicycled from Central Park to Mt. Vernon and viewing the many historic neighborhoods on our ride here and recalling our membership participation with the New York City Historic Districts Council, it is always so encouraging to be an engaged part of a community event to remember, learn more about, and recognize a location and compound that represent one of the more important parts of our national heritage. The Fourth of July recalls our dedicated commitment to a free society that supports the independence of all its members. And the Bill of Rights memorialized with this important historic site is part of our documented heritage that enumerates our civil Rights. Today is a celebration. But we must with every firework blast, with every boom from the sky, and with every excited 'oooo and ahhhh' from the crowd, remember those rights must be assured and supported every day. They are not fixed mandates that exist standing alone. They are living and organic social instruments that evolve and grow as our nation grows and survives changes. Our history is not perfect and surely contains many parts where its ideals were sadly missed. But our job and charge today is to speak to those ideals and to the many, many times when they as goals have been approached and reached. Thank you for your kindly generous thoughtfulness at including our group as part of your celebration today. We appreciate today's festivities and look forward to our annual visit here."
July 5th, 1999, Sunday: Today began very hot and humid with over 100F, about 101F, and rating numbers for 109F. So it was not an ideal bicycling day at all. One group of three of our men's FEMA emergency teams left early at about 7:30AM for a moderate length hot day test ride. I did two quick morning exercise laps. And then began the decision process for the day HEAT versus promised trip to Mt. Vernon. We've done heat survival riding before but NEVER recommend it without good reason and trained expertise. So, we decided to do the ride (especially since with the fixed bicycle parts) and test our strength and body against the heat and terrain. With water stops at a minimum of every half hour and careful timing, we made it round trip after about four hours and not bad for a total of about 45 miles. And to complete the test, dayride, and adventure we had a Ice Cream Banana Boat; calcium, potassium, and amino acid proteins. NOW, DON'T DO THIS; WE DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS!! HEAT SURVIVAL BICYCLING REQUIRES MUCH TRAINING AND EXPERTISE BOTH FOR THE EVENT AS WELL AS TO RECOGNIZE EXCESS STRESS DEMANDS ON YOURSELF. DON'T DO THIS.
Brief history review: The St. Paul's Bill of Rights locations began use as early as 1637AD as a town green and public gathering location and by 1665AD the foundations to the current structures were being developed. During the Revolutionary War era the buildings served as a field hospital for the Hessian troups and as a headquarters at other times. Shortly thereafter, the site for a while held a printing press service that is credited with helping to establish the free press for the early United States. Check with the library and archives for detailed information on the site and local history.
July 11th, 1999, Sunday: Today was another hot and humid one but not quite as intense as last week. We enjoyed a beautiful ride along Riverside Park to the Cloisters and met several Five Borough Bicycle Club members there. We spent some minutes reviewing the awesome view of the Hudson River and then took a brief history of the Cloisters itself. We recommend the ride though a shorter one and the many important historical artifacts at the Cloisters and the adjoining Ft. Tryon Park and its specialty gardens.
July 18, 1999, Sunday: This was another venture along the "underconstruction" Manhattan Waterfront route from the midtown area southward to Battery Park and back. We of the City are building a round the island greenbelt. Some parts are finished; others are only planned. And as with this routing, some parts are going through the construction phase. Regardless, it is a great ride showing off some of Manhattan's wonderful waterfront locations beginning with the commercial and travel piers on the Hudson River to the Intrepid Air and Space Museum on the Intrepid aircarrier along the lower pier area where many recreational services are located through Wagner and Battery Parks and the boatride to the Statue of Miss Liberty past the Staten Island Ferry docking site to South Street Seaport and finishing with our famous Lower Eastside and the Eastside Park on the East River. All together, it is a grand and historic ride that goes through and by some of New York City's most impressive sites.
July 25, 1999, Sunday: We traveled again to Roosevelt Island, one of Manhattan's noted close off island neighborhoods. It is the site for Lighthouse Park and two hospitals. What we always recall as interesting on this ride is the cable car tramway from East 59th Street to Roosevelt Island, a true change of events for Sunday rides as the tramway does accept bicycles. Today was another hot day in Manhattan with slow riding and lots of water to drink. But the ride over the 59th Street Bridge is always a fabulous view!!!
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