On Saturday June 21st I was taking part in a bicycle ride from Manhattan to Montauk (145 miles) with hundreds of other cyclists. The ride was an organized event sponsored by Blue Point Brewery. As many of you may know, since 2006 I have been raising money and awareness for Angela’s House by riding extremely long distances, along with my good friend Billy Iaia. In 2006 Billy and I rode from Chicago to Centereach, 915 miles. In 2007 we rode from Jacksonville (Florida) to Centereach, over 1000 miles. During both of these rides Billy and I chose not to wear helmets. While this was surely not a wise decision, we made both trips without incident. During the Event this past Saturday I was struck from behind by a ford explorer after riding 85 miles from Manhattan. Another rider had been struck from behind moments before me. After hitting me and throwing me off the bicycle the truck dragged my bike about two hundred feet down the road and hit a pick up truck head on. That is my bicycle under the SUV Fortunately for me I was thrown from the bicycle. After I was thrown, I slid down the street for about 50 feet on my rear end before coming to a stop. Luckily it was mandatory to wear a helmet for the ride. This was my first ride wearing a helmet. I was checked out in the hospital and other than being quite sore and bruised I am ok. I am thankful to be alive after what seemed to be certain death. I was happy to hear that the other rider that was also hit by the same truck is doing well too. Life is short, live each day to the fullest. You never know when your time is up; thankfully mine was not this day.
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