The temperature was in the mid-50s, and dry. Perfect for a 107-mile bike ride.
Or 18 miles, as lady members of the Seeing Eye team were preparing to do on Sunday morning at the seventh annual Gran Fondo NJ.
That should be easy, right?
“No!!!” the ladies yelled in unison moments before the start.
“We know the hills are coming,” said Carolyn Finkelstein of Mountain Lakes.
Slideshow photos by Kevin Coughlin
Some 2,400 riders from 30 states, nine countries and five continents showed up for the day of cycling.
Anneliese Sepaniak came all the way from… Peapack.
“It’s just a real beautiful ride,” she said, back for her second year to try a 43-mile route.
Patrick McGoldrick preferred volunteering.
“I’m more of a runner,” said the 26-year-old Morristown resident, waving an orange flag to direct cyclists around the Green. “I’ll be biking in my later years.”
When will those be?
“My 40s,” McGoldrick said.