MY BIRTHDAY RIDE WILL BE ON ESPN THIS YEAR
Sometime between today and June 14th, my 79th birthday, I will once again
attempt to bike my age. This will mark the 14th year in a row of
this challenge, which, so far, I have been able to meet.
But this time things are more exciting and more challenging for these
five reasons:
1 & 2: The ride is a mile longer, and I am a year older.
3: I cannot use my familiar (and very flat) route outside New York
City because we are now living in Edgartown on Martha’s Vineyard, a hilly
and windy island.
4: For the first time, my attempt is authorized by the Association of Birthday Bicycle Athletes (ABBA), which will be monitoring my effort from its international
headquarters in Sweden. If I make it, it will be certified and officially
recognized. ABBA has some pretty serious rules and regulations, including
these four:
A. The cyclist may not get off the bike more than 7 times during the
ride;
B. Nap or rest breaks cannot exceed 15 minutes, and no more than two
naps are allowed during the competitive effort;
C. No performance-enhancing drugs;
D. No sex during the ride. (This provision is the subject of much debate
within ABBA. All of the French and Italian ABBA members, men and women,
want the rule revised CONTINUE READING: MY BIRTHDAY RIDE WILL BE ON ESPN THIS YEAR | The Merrow Report
