Day 5 - The Long, Long Island

Mother with MS, Husband and 2 Daughters

We were transported to Babylon on Long Island. We started out with breakfast at International House of Pancakes As we were leaving a father came over to us, noticing our MS Great 8 bike jerseys, and wanted to thank us as his wife had MS. We then met the mother and their 2 beautiful daughters. They said Mommy has MS, but we don’t have it. This gave Cat and I goose bumps as the mission of our ride is that these girls and others should not have to deal with this terrible disease. The mother was expecting her third child, and said that during pregnancy she never felt so good while having MS.

The ride was flat and we were able to pick up the pace. We lunched at a vineyard and were able to meet Cat’s brother, Peter, who has dealt with MS for 20 years and now is in an electric scooter. Peter was extremely engaging and offered all his support for my daughter. Also present was Cat’s other brother John and her Mom. Mike’s parents-in-law were also there and his daughter Sam, had accompanied us from Babylon and took many photos.

I felt really energized and set a good pace for my group as headed to the ferry from Orient Point. We had completed another 85 miles. Our transport vehicles went on a separate slower ferry and we had the opportunity of taking the hydrofoil to New London, CT. Nice to rest up and take in the view as we crossed the Long Island Sound.