Robert G. Higgins, who has been a real estate attorney for over 40 years, made a special deal 5 years ago. It kick-started his annual 270-mile bike ride from Boston to New York.
For the past five years, Sun City resident Robert Higgins rides the Tri-State Trek, a 270-mile bike ride from Boston to New York, to raise awareness for ALS. (Photos by Christine Such/Sun Day)
Higgins explains, “In the fall of 2014, my wife got me a Father’s Day gift for a four-day cycling wine trip in California. I had a conflict with a real estate closing that was scheduled for the same time. I approached the client, Steve Lattimer, to extend the closing to October and explained the situation. Steve focused on the word, ‘cycling.’ He asked me if I did much cycling. When I responded that I did, he agreed to extend the closing only if I agreed to ride in the Tri-State Trek. And that was the start of it.”
The Tri-State Trek raises funds for ALS research. It began in 2003. Cyclists pedal from Boston to New York. The event has grown significantly over the last 16 years and has raised over $8 million dollars.
“I didn’t know much about ALS or even knew anyone suffering from it. When I read about, I knew that I wanted to do something to help raise awareness and raise research funds,” Higgins explained.
“The California Wine tour was 65-75 miles so jumping to a 270-mile bike ride required some training,” Higgins realized.
How did he condition himself for the ride?
Higgins responded, “I ride an indoor cycle all year round. On May 1st, I start serious training. On the weekend, weather permitting, I ride 50-100 miles each day. For an hour a day I do intervals: ride five minutes as fast as I can and 10 minutes normal riding. I work on it until about the second half of May until I get to the point, I reverse it with 10 minutes of hard fast riding and five minutes norm. I do this until the week before with the time riding gets longer and then I completely shut down and I am ready to go for the 270-mile ride.”
Interestingly, Higgins doesn’t use his own vehicle.
Higgins explained, “The bike would have to be dismantled to take on the trip. It is shipped from one bike store to another and would have to be put back together. I fly to Boston and I rent a bike there. The great thing about renting it is when the trip is done you just hand over the bike.”
Riding at their own speed the 270-mile journey begins. The event provides a marked course with rest stops every 15–20 miles.
“We start as a group, a team. You end up riding with participants at your own level, about 10-15 people. We have a lead rider and we take turns leading. It’s called ‘drafting,’” Higgins explained.
Robert Higgins with his wife Jo, whom he calls his biggest supporter.
Cyclists take turns riding up front – the term is ‘pulling.’ After a while they peel off, latching onto the back. This ‘drafting,’ tucking in close behind another rider, saves some energy, up to a 27 percent reduction in wind resistance.
Higgins tells a story: “Once when we were riding out of Connecticut, a young rider caught up with us. He was somewhat spent. He asked if he could draft – meaning he was not going to take a turn at the lead. He rode with us for about 15 miles. We got to a hill and he thanked us. As he rode away, we told him to make sure he told his teammates that he had drafted behind seniors. We got a chuckle out of that.”
Higgins, along with other rides stay overnight in college dormitories finishing the ride down Greenwich Avenue.
Higgins explained that, “All gear meals, snacks, water, and sports drinks are provided. I carry two bottles of drinks, Gatorade, and some energy bars and my phone. Pretty much anything you might need, a rain cape, suntan lotion, and medical help is all provided.”
The event concludes with a picnic on the banks of the Long Island Sound.
“The ending is pretty emotional. There is a crowd there with signs. Students of a favorite teacher had signs appreciate the efforts of these riders,” Jo Higgins states (Bob’s wife).
“She is my biggest supporter,” Bob said.
Jo offers, “I admire that he does this ride. It truly is something that he loves. After seeing the people at this event who struggle with the disease or have someone in their life impacted with ALS, you want to do all you can to find the cure for this. It’s a real goal for Bob.”
Bob has logged other rides as well.
Bob answers, “I ride to the Notre Dame Football games, my alumnae school. I have done that for eight or nine years. And I do the century rides – 100 miles in Joliet. I am in the Cycle Paths’ club here in Sun City and join them for their Donut Rides and other excursions.”
Bob is also a conscious rider in terms of safety.
“I do want to emphasize the importance of helmets,” he said. “I had an accident that, had I not been wearing a helmet, I would have died. A motorist was parallel to the road and she backed up right into me. I had 18 stitches. My supporter, Jo, who came to see me in the hospital looked at me and said, ‘Get up and get dressed. We need to get you a new bike.’”
Bob will be riding in the Tri-State trek for the 5th year. This is the 17th year of the Tri-State Trek, which will take place on June 21-23.
To support Higgins’ efforts, please go here. For more information on riding, volunteering or donating, call 617-441-7211 or visit TriStateTrek.com.
