Today was a mixed day but a good day to ride. It was gorgeous out and I was just getting over three days of hay fever and an acute sinus headache. I started out not wanting to ride but knew if I rode I'd feel much better. Today I was also testing out my old/new back pack. This is one of those day packs that hikers wear. It was pretty heavy and unfortunately when I started out I loaded it up wrong and it kept hitting the back of my helmet. I stopped, fixed it and kept going. I also was trying out a new rear wheel. The original rear wheel failed after 16 months. Something wrong in the bearings or cluster ratchet mechanism. The new wheel rides like a dream and is silent.

The ride itself went well, at first I thought it might be a bit chilly (I like it hot) as it was only in the upper 60's. But after a while it was nice. As I crossed Rt 9 in Marlboro, NJ I approached a cemetery. It's one of the many that were busy after 9/11/2001 (today's ride was on 9/11). I hadn't forgotten, there was one lady visiting a grave. I was surprised not to see more people there but maybe it was too early in the day.

I remember 9/10/2001, I had ridden out to the Hoffbraugh House in the Atlantic Highlands. I stopped to look on the towers and the NYC skyline. I love the NYC skyline, my grandfather, uncle and father were Iron Workers. My Uncle worked on the towers and I loved to look at the towers (I are an engineer). I always stop to take a look at the NYC skyline when I ride by the Hoffbrough House. 9/10/2001 was a nicely warm day, a good day to ride. I also remember the day after, 9/11, it started out like today. I won't forget but I was still glad I was riding today, that I could ride. As I said it was a good day to ride.