I went on the Somerville, NJ, Bicycling Hall of Fame Ride, on June 3, 2000. The ride was "led" by Greg Lemond (3 time Tour de France winner) and Governor Christie Whitman joined in for the first seven miles. It's purpose was to raise money for the US Bicycling Hall of Fame.

The really neat thing about this ride was the police escort! There were a number of police cruisers leading the ride followed by a van and a Miata pace car. Cruisers stopped traffic on side roads and the lead cruisers stopped traffic on the roads we were on--the roads bacame "freeze zones" until we passed. Of course, had I been one of the drivers waiting for the bicycles to pass, I might not have been too happy!

There were many bicycle police participating in the ride. It seemed as though all the nearby municipalities sent delegations of bicycle police. I imagine having the cooperation of the police is very important if the roads are going to be shut down.

After a while, I decided to work my way up to the front to see the governor and Greg Lemond. Well, I got there at about the six mile mark, but couldn't find the either of them. Apparently they dropped back in the pack and I passed them without recognizing them!

Later on, when we were in a big group waiting to cross route 206, I found myself right next to Greg Lemond. People were asking him to autograph everything in sight: cards, posters, caps, helmets, and even a fork. He seems to be a very nice guy and seems to enjoy mingling with the riders and signing autographs.

	Riders registering at the start in front of the US Bicycling Hall of Fame.		I took this picture to get the woman in weird clothes. Later I found out she's Jackie Phelan, a champion mountain biker. She was inducted into the Hall of Fame the night before. Apparently weird clothes are one of her trademarks!
	This is me waiting at the start. We lined up on a side street. Then, when the Governor and Greg Lemond were ready, Main Street was closed, a motorcade was established with the Governor and Lemond right behind, many bicycle police behind that, and then we were allowed to come up behind them.		The first rest stop, about seven miles into the ride. Note the bicycle police nearest the camera. Also, the snacks were provided by Dunkin Donuts. Is there a connection???
	Governor Whitman speaking at the first rest stop. She left the ride here because she had other commitments. I was impressed by how approachable she was--I'm sure there must have been body guards around, but they were hard to spot. In fact, I walked right up to her, thanked her for riding with us, and shook her hand!		Greg Lemond speaking at the first rest stop. Next to Governor Whitman is the head of consumer affairs (or something like that) for New Jersey. On the left, the fellow sitting next to the kid is a Somerset County Freeholder (I think).
	The ride ended after about 21 miles back at the Hall of Fame. Looks like another bicycle cop in the foreground! At the end of the ride, one could visit the Hall of Fame and Greg Lemond and others autographed posters and other objects.