Weather forecast for the Ride

Last week’s forecast along the route was calling for on and off rain, the latest model calls for a 30% risk of thunderstorm on Tuesday in the West Chester area and a 30% chance of shower in Jim Thorpe on Wednesday morning; the rest of the week is dry and in the mid 70s. A nice contrast with the high 90s and very humid days from last year! We roll promptly at 8:00 tomorrow Tuesday June 18, please join us at the West Chester Borough office located at 401 E Gay St for the 2013 send-off!

Test

Final training ride for 2013

What a glorious day to celebrate the final training ride before we embark onnour 500 miles in 5 days journey! Other than Shana’s mechanical that took her out of the ride, all went well and Shana’s bike will ready for Tuesday’s departure. We will be blogging on a daily basis and how you have as much fun following us as we do on our bikes! Cheers!

Chester County SPCA

After our trip back to West Chester, we visited the Chester County SPCA where Viktor Ohnjec presented a cheque of $1,820 to Kathryn Sippel, Operations Manager at the CC SPCA. These funds were raised with the sale of raffle tickets for a print called “Memories of Love” generously donated by renowned artist Juan Vela and framed by Visual Expansion Gallery of West Chester. We need to mention that one P4P rider generously donated $1000 the the CC SPCA above the raffle tickets and that donations are still coming in on behalf of P4P! What a great success story!

7 out of the 12 P4P 500 miles in 5 days cyclists were present and 8 who did the partial ride were not able to attend and were there in spirit!

Picture from left to right: 5 day riders Ed Stillman, Jerry Leugers and Gary Bianchini, Kathryn Sippel Operations Manager CC SPCA,
5 day riders Viktor Ohnjec, Youssef Nifaoui and Charles St-Maurice, Doris Vela, Juan Vela’s spouse, 5 day rider Mike Dirks

So, we understand that our supported shelters received several big donations at $100, $200, $300 and even $1000! Can you add to your favorite shelter and let them know it’s in honor of Pedaling 4 Paws? Please do and let’s make the 2012 ride be a huge success by exceeding our $15000 goal in contributions! The 4 legged are barking and meowing a loud THANK YOU!

Great ending!

After taking pictures at the border, the P4P cyclists visited the St Lawrence Valley SPCA; what a great animal rescue facility, cats and dogs are well cared for and two cyclists who own weimaraners were sorry to see 2 weims waiting for their forever home. We drove back to Skaneateles, NY for the traditional last dinner together at Doug’s Fish Fries!

We walked on the pier by the lake and saw a dog jumping out of a boat tied to a slip while their owners went in town, the dog was pulled out of the water with Gary’s help and the P4P group went to find the owners in a nearby shop thanks to getting their description from people who saw them get off the boat. Good thing for this dog that we all saw him in the water! Most of us are driving home tonight, what a great week that was! Thank for following us this week!

We made it to the border!

Awesome relaxed ride this morning for the final 65 miles, we visited the Jefferson County SPCA and got a tour of the facility, they have lots of kittens for adoption, they receive kittens in boxes because many cat owners let their cats wander un spayed…got the signature group photo holding our bikes up. Last and final stop, the St Lawrence Valley SPCA!

Logistic Malfunction

We had to move around between a private home and the hotel last night and a rider drove to the hotel for a shower but his bags stayed in a car at the house so… he drove back at the house like this!!

Watertown NY

We made it to Watertown in no time, heat and humidity are gone! All riders felt strong and the pace line was running likes Swiss watch. Off to dinner now and for the first time 4 Canadian friends of Pedaling 4 Paws are crossing the border to join the 13 riders for the final stage to Ogdensburg NY. We took a photo by Lake Ontario ! We visit the Jefferson County SPCA and the St Lawrence Valley SPCA for our final stops tomorrow.

Day 4

We met the Finger Lakes SPCA of Central New York at the Welch Allyn facility in Skaneateles Falls, NY; Welch Allyn supports Pedaling 4 Paws and 4 employees joined us for part of the ride today! Lunch time in Mexico NY with 50 miles to go. You would think that the group would start to slow down at this point, it’s not the case we are all getting stronger!

What a great day

We’re all back after a fantastic day of cycling! Total miles for the stage was 125 miles and many exceeded 100 miles today despite the heat! Mood is up, spirit is high, bikes are cleaned and lubed and ready for 100 miles tomorrow. Pizza and beer tonight, It doesn’t get better than that! Nite Nite everyone and thank you for your support!

Binghamton Humane Society

We visited our friends from the Binghamton Humane Society and we were welcomed with Gatorade, water and fruits! They care for cats and dogs and the place is so well kept! We had Fox 40 and ABC 24 for interviews with Viktor! The Fox cameraman fell in love with a dog and it is likely that he will complete the adoption procedure, lucky dog. Don’t buy, adopt! The weather is mid 90s and the group is working well together towards lunch.

Welcome to the Empire State!

We crossed into New York State this morning!

Best Socks

Those were voted “Best P4P” socks of 2012!

Welcome to day 3

Correction: day 2’s mileage was 108 miles not 122, with 7800 ‘ of vertical. Today is 122 with rolling hills for the first 50 miles and relatively flat for the rest. We will enter New York state! We are on the country side and have to be self sufficient for breakfast, Mike has the oatmeal cooking! First stop: Binghamton SPCA!

Awesome day 2!!!

We’re all in after a great day! Our friends who did the first 2 days are on their way home now, we will miss them! Laundry is done, most bikes were cleaned and lubed! Off for dinner now! Cycling is awesome and we are on our way tomorrow to the Binghamton SPCA!! Nite nite to all and thank you for your support?