I want to thank everyone for your gracious support of the BreatheNH Bike Tour 2010 that was held this past Saturday. I managed to raise $1,150.00 for the cause which is about $200 more than I raised last year. Overall the event has raised about $62,000 this year to fight lung cancer and breathing disorders. The weather Saturday was typical New England May day going from almost hot when the sun came out to cool when the clouds closed in. I was thankful it was dry however and when the strong gusts of wind were buffering me off the ocean trying to stop my progress I kept telling my self “at least it’s a dry day”.

I got a later start than I wanted for the ride, instead of being one of the first on the route I ended up being one of the last. I did my registration, safety training, and fastened my number to my bike and headed out on the route. A couple miles from the start I missed a bike path cut over between roads and thus detoured to a dead end at the wildlife reserve in Newington which added a couple miles to my day. The route I took started near the Red Hook in Newington, looped out through Greenland and North Hampton, to the beach, then traveled along up to Wallis Sands.

Then the route cut back inland to a loop around New Castle and through downtown Portsmouth crossing into Kittery and up to Fort McClary. After a mandatory check-in the route followed Rt103 up to York and along the coast to Nubble Light and though short sands. The last leg of the route traveled the road that passes by the Cliff House and Perkins Cove ending in Ogunquit on Rt 1. As last year the support staff and organization of the event was exceptional. I covered the 58 miles in just under 3 1/4 hours which I am happy with considering my knees quit at mile 50 and I fought a wind which was never to be at my back all day. All things considered it was a glorious day and a ride that was certainly a memorable one. Thank you all for the support and supporting such a wonderful cause!!