Ride for Jackson Woods
Background on the Journey:
Isabelle Ferreira is a teacher in Middletown and a local from Long Branch, New Jersey. She is no stranger to pedaling. Living in Long Branch for 43 years, Isabelle and her team, the Wave Peddlers have been highly active in their community. Being part of the Portuguese, Hispanic and Brazilian communities, they are big believers in and know firsthand how important and necessary it is to be near parks and green spaces for families to enjoy locally.
Here are some of their rides:
In 2019, Isabelle pedaled from Jacksonville, Florida. to Long Branch New Jersey solo, after her brother passed away from a Brain Tumor.
In 2020, she pedaled from Tillamook, Oregon to Long Branch, New Jersey with another teacher to benefit various Cancer Research organizations.
In 2021, Isabelle’s friend Marianne joined her pedaling from Paris, France to Fatima, Portugal to benefit a local church in Fatima.
This summer, Isabelle, Marianne and their group of avid cycling women will be riding the NY Empire Trail from Niagara Falls, Canada to Jackson Woods Park in Long Branch, New Jersey between June 26, 2022, and July 7, 2022. With the goal of raising funds for Jackson Woods Park. This trip is approximately 650 miles!
Updates from the Road:
6/26 – Day 1: The trip began today from the famous Erie Canal North Tonowanda on Empire Trail.
6/26 – Day 1: Day one is completed. 65 miles/104 km with a few raindrops to refresh us. A shout of to Marbelo/Por doSol for always believing in sports and community.
6/27 – Day 2: 55 miles/88 km and some sightseeing of these small all American towns. It is so beautiful.
6/28: Day 3: Beautiful trails, lots on animals and nature to enjoy, and great people along the route! Thank you for all of your donations and support for Jackson Woods Park!
6/29 - Day 4: 65 miles/110 km heading east across New York State.
6/30 – Day 5: Today is day 5, and we plan on another 65 miles/105 km close to Albany, NY. We had small mechanical problems with the trailer but it is all fixed. We are sore and happy. We will be at Jackson Woods Park on July 7th at 5:30 pm and ride towards Nip and Tuck next week if all goes well. We are raising money for our local park and supporting our local businesses!
6/30 - Day 5: 75 miles/110 km. We are exhausted and all campgrounds were sold out. We opted not to go stealth and we chose a reward. The pool was amazing!
6/30 – Day 5: Erie Canal Trail done. On to the Hudson Trail. Together they form the Empire Trail.
7/1 – Day 6: 47 miles/75 km. Albany, NY. 92 degrees with humidity as we inch our way home. All hills in the Catskills. We camped and we got hit with a storm. It was tough but it is done and today is another day.
7/2 – Day 7: Today we rode 60 miles with some rain but still managed good mileage despite the hills the weather and the tiredness. Kingston, NY is a town next to the Hudson River.
7/3 – Day 8: We started with a fallen tree on the path today but we made it through. Afterwards we met some great people along the way that put ideas in our head for our next trip. Then we jumped in a lake with high school kids. Then we crossed paths with hikers doing the Appalachian Trail and one of the hikers went to Bayshore Middle School! However, our evening was made so special with the hospitality of the police officers of the Village of Brewster who escorted us safely to our sleeping quarters, the park by the police station. We are grateful and humbled by their graciousness and smiling faces. All it takes is a smile to make someone's day. Be the one. Oh, and Kate fell today!
7/5 – Day 10: Arriving in NY and spending the day until tomorrow. We are going to give the body the break it needs. We are super excited posting more photos later!
7/6 – Day 11: We have finished the 650 mile/1050 km Empire Trail! We have rested in NY and added some tourism of this beautiful crazy city. It is time to head home.
Please join us at Jackson Woods Park tomorrow July 7th at 6 pm. Our trip will be finalized with the goal of raising funds for this specific local park, bringing awareness to biking and support small businesses.
7/7 – Day 12 Finish! The Wave Peddlers were welcomed by a large crowd as they arrived at Jackson Woods Park! The celebration was a attended by Long Branch Mayor John Pallone, City of Long Branch representatives, Friends of Jackson Woods and MCF leadership, the West End Fire Company, Chop Riderz of the Portuguese Club of Long Branch, and many community members and organizations. Donations to the Ride for Jackson Woods through MCF support ongoing renovations at Jackson Woods Park.
