Since signing up to participate in the Discover Hartford Bicycle and Walking Tour, I’ve been biking more often, anticipating the distance of the event. I’d gone on a few trips that were roughly ten miles, and seemed to do fine.
I forced myself to finish the tour, even though I was calculating the odds as they increased, of me being hauled over the Hartford Hospital. It wasn’t just the shame of being at the end of the thousand and some odd cyclists that bothered me. It was the shame of that plus being so young. Participants were of all ages, but many were 45+, and fully kicked my ass.
The event was well-planned and managed. There were plenty of bike cops with walkie-talkies around, making me feel a little better if I did need to be dragged back in a sag wagon. The pace was faster than I would have liked. Fitness stuff aside, part of the tour was to show people how awesome Hartford is, and I think that the cyclists set on showing off their speed missed out on a lot. The organizer did promise that even Hartford residents would be surprised by things on the tour, and he didn’t break his promise. I had no idea that Cedar Hill cemetery leads into a park, complete with a playground, and I’ve been to Cedar Hill a handful of times before. I got to see the re-opened-as-of-today Pope Park. They closed off the road that goes through the park, creating a pedestrian and bike path in its place. I also got to see where the Breakthrough Magnet School is.
By the time I made it back to Bushnell Park, there were people who had chosen the longer 25-mile route who did that faster than I did the 10-mile. I’m proud of finishing, but I had no idea that I was in this bad of shape. I guess that gives me more reason to rely more on my bike and less on the car, especially on days when I’m working 1.1 miles away from home.
All participants received a “coupon book” which contains more than coupons. This really impressed me–not an easy achievement. Event sponsors and partners included descriptions of their organizations, event listings, and some businesses–including the new ice rink, several bike stores, Harriet Beecher Stowe Center, and Connecticut Creative Store–did include discount coupons. The idea of this was to encourage participants to return to Hartford. Hopefully, they will.