Day 13- Port Jervis, NY
Today was a tough day. We started a little after 9 in Lambertville, NJ with clouds and rain in the forecast. The route for the day took us right along the Delaware River on both the New Jersey and the Pennsylvania side. I essentially was on the same road all morning. The good news in the morning was that the first 40 miles were extremely flat. The bad news was that it was cold, rainy, and windy after about 30 minutes of riding. It brought back some bad memories from the previous week.
After being miserable for 35 miles I had the pleasure of meeting another person who has battled Amyloidosis for lunch. Jay Helwig was one of the first people ever to go through a stem cells transplant for Amyloidosis (the treatment my mom had). He did that nearly 15 years ago and has been in complete remission since he had the treatment. It is impossible to tell that he ever went through such a terrible treatment. He is in unbelievable shape for someone who has battled the disease. Being one of the first to get the treatment he had to do almost all his own research and advocating. He is such an inspiration to everyone. Seeing someone who has battled the disease and be in such good shape nearly 15 years later is unbelievable. If my mom is in that good of shape in 15 years than that would be amazing. It was such a pleasure to have lunch with him. Unfortunately I was so cold and wet that I mainly listened to him and my dad talk, but he had so much to share with us. The treatments have really come a long way since then.
The afternoon began a little better weather wise but much worse hill wise. Over the next 55 miles I did just under 4000 ft of climbing and I don’t think I was on flat ground once. I was either going up or down. I swear it was up way more than it was down. About 20 miles into the afternoon I met up with two of my aunts and my uncle from my dad’s family. It was awesome to be able to see more people and even better to have them ride with me for a little bit. I was even having trouble keeping up with my Uncle Tom for his first 100 yards or so. He is just such a stud. It was nice to finally be able to ride with people again for a few miles. Especially with so much climbing all afternoon.
Tomorrow I once again will have someone to ride with for the day. One of my good friends from school, Dustin Weigl, came down from MA to ride the last 3 days with me. He is just getting into cycling but will be able to ride about half a day for the next 3 days with me. The company is awesome. Then tomorrow night my cousin Andrew is coming back to ride the last 2 days with me. Then Sunday I should have a good group of about 10 or so. I will post details for those of you planning on riding with me tomorrow night.
The legs are getting very sore and tired now but I am very confident I will make it through the next 3 days. Knowing that I’m so close gives me the little bit of extra motivation that I need to get over these hills. Some of the ones today were unlike anything I’ve ever ridden before. Most of them aren’t very long, but they are STRAIGHT UP and there are 18 million of them.
Here are today’s photos, tomorrow I will get some more photos of people. Oh and I need a New york sign. We couldn’t find one today. But we did get the Port Jervis sign. We will be sure to get the New York sign when me leave New York on Saturday.
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Thanks for reading.
Stephen
March 19th, 2009 at 8:49 pm
Steve, post a list of stopping/meeting points for Sunday here or to the club board or call one of us to coordinate Sunday. It sounds like there’s some momentum behind the idea of meeting at your parents and riding back along the course to find you. Just need to make sure we don’t miss you. Almost home tough guy…
March 19th, 2009 at 9:15 pm
Hey steve! I’ve been reading your blog and I just wanted to say how inspiring you are, you make me feel so insignificant! (haha) You’re doing an amazing thing for your mom and for everyone else battling the disease, and I’ve told pretty much every one of my family members and friends what you’re doing and everyone is stunned with your efforts. Just thought I’d send you some motivation and know that my family’s rooting for you! Good luck with your last couple of days! I can’t wait to talk about it with you in environmental.
March 20th, 2009 at 9:18 am
Hey Stephen
We have been with you and Aislinn the whole way. Your journey is remarkable and we have told everyone about your efforts and those of your team. We cheering you on and will see you on your return. Stay steady.
March 20th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
I am just reading your blog updates today for the first time.. I am so impressed.. this is an amazing accomplishment that you have just about mastered..
So proud of you Stephen- Your parents and sisters I know are a wonderful and constant support to you..
March 20th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
Hi Steve, The family is still enjoying reading about your journey. We all wish you well for your last 3 days. Our prayer is that you will always have the wind at your back and downhills before you. You are still amazing!
March 20th, 2009 at 4:09 pm
Stephen, I wish I could have been sitting at the lunch table with you and Jay. I have not been able to put his “book” down that he has on the internet. (see posts from about 3 days ago). This is the whole story - “Be an advocate in your own journey - ALWAYS!” Your Dad can be commended for this. The stories are so much alike, down to the part where he put something on his hospital wall and down to the 3 prayers he said, like I did. It will be a long read but one I can relate too and more of an inspiration to “Get ‘er done” (my story in print). You’re getting it done!!!!!!!!!!! Hard to believe it was a week ago (Sat.) that I rode with you myself. I’ve done nothing great in the past 7 days, but look at you and Aisleen!! Wow! I am wondering though, will you/won’t you have to go through some kind of de-sensitizig of riding? For your legs? It just seems like there should be a cool down…..maybe walk the last mile. (easy for me to say) (I just don’t want it to end) I am so proud that you can make those “lil mountains”. I think it might be 5 more years for my attempt at those, ha ha. Keep up the good and fantastic ride. I know your last 3 days are going to be exciting!
March 20th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
Stephen, thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to ride with you yesterday. I was already impressed by what you and Aislinn are doing but seeing you both in action was amazing. Those things you call hills, the rest of the world calls the Pocono MOUNTAINS. You weren’t exaggerating about those “hills”. They were long and big but the downhill part was great. I have to say, your dad and uncle impressed me quite a bit as well. I hope your next days are sunny and wind free. I’m sure it will be great finishing with Aislinn, Andrew and Dustin by your side (along with a few others I imagine). Ride safe and enjoy!!
March 20th, 2009 at 6:42 pm
Hi Steve!
It’s been amazing to see your journey each day! You & Aislinn are an awesome team!!
I’ve got cookies just waiting for you!
Can’t wait to see you on Sunday! You’re almost home…keep up the fantastic job!
March 20th, 2009 at 7:08 pm
Stephen!!
I dont know if you remember me… but I have met you before (Im friends with Melissa from UVM), and we have all known about your ride and your plan from the beginning. Melissa has been so proud of you through this the whole thing, I was with her in Sydney when you started… and as you can probably imagine watching her play on the phone trying to talk to your dad was really entertaining. But, she just sent us all a message with an update of your progress in distance as well as the donations you were able to get along with the link to your blog, which I couldn’t stop reading … until I got to the end of course. You are amazing, and so is Aislinn for all of her driving abilities! Were all lucky to be able to keep up with you on this, more people than you could ever imagine are supporting you. I am guessing that these last few days will be difficult and I was informed that knowing how many people are behind you makes it easier… so I just wanted to let you know that over the past 3 or so days there are about 50 other people following your progress (in the U.S and beyond). Good luck on your last leg, Im glad you are going to have a bunch of people riding it with you! and congratulations on everything you have been able to accomplish over the past 2 weeks!!!
July 20th, 2010 at 2:54 pm
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