I like to take long bike rides on Sundays – not only for the exercise, but because during that time I can think about what I want to write in my column. Once in a while, the ride itself becomes part of the column. This is one of those times.
On Sunday, I rode the Nassau Bike Challenge. It used to be called the Nassau–Suffolk Bike Challenge, where one of the routes was sixty-six miles, which I had ridden in the past. Now, they offer only two options: 25 or 35 miles. I figured that although the ride itself was only 35 miles, if I rode to the starting point from my house, the round trip would be about the same distance as the old 66-mile route.
My ride to the starting point – Harry Tappen Beach in Sea Cliff – went off without a hitch. It was warm but bearable. A few miles into the 35-mile ride, which was hilly, it started to get really hot and humid. When I reached the point where the 25- and 35-mile routes split, I considered – for a second – that maybe it would be wise to just do the 25-mile route. That would mean riding a total of 56 miles instead of 66. But I didn’t listen to my body and decided to go for all 35.
By the time I hit the 20-mile mark, I was having trouble climbing hills. I had to walk the bike. During one of these walks, a woman driving a car with a bike rack stopped and asked if there was anything wrong with my bike. I told her the bike was fine, but I was having trouble riding. She then drove off. I guess only the condition of the bike mattered to her.
While riding, I noticed a Long Island Rail Road station not too far from the starting point. I decided there was no way I was in any condition to ride all the way back home and that I should take the train to Jamaica instead. I did end up completing all 35 miles, although it took much longer than usual. I was the last rider to finish.
I ended up getting a ride to the station from the person who created the charity ride. Years ago, he had a son who faced serious health issues at a young age. The boy overcame those challenges and now lives a normal life. The father – a bike rider himself – wanted to express his gratitude, so he started this event.
On the train, I got into a discussion with two conductors about my bike and the bikes we had growing up. We discovered that all three of us were born in the same year.
It was disappointing that I couldn’t ride as far as I had planned. That may have been due to the weather, age, or the fact that I don’t exercise as much as I used to. But at least I came away with some stories to tell.
Now, briefly, to the two topics I had originally planned to write about:
First, it’s unclear what effect the U.S. bombing of Iran had on Iran’s nuclear program. Trump says the program was totally obliterated, while other reports suggest it was only set back a few months. Still others fall somewhere in between. People tend to jump to conclusions based on preconceived notions. Let the professionals conduct a thorough investigation. It also remains unknown what happened to the enriched uranium, which could still be used to make a bomb – even if the nuclear facilities were destroyed.
My second topic was the New York City Democratic mayoral primary. Although I had anticipated the result, when it happened, it was so upsetting that I had trouble sleeping after Cuomo conceded on Tuesday night. One good thing is that – unlike when AOC won her primary – this time it’s not a shoo-in that Mamdani will become the next mayor. There’s precedent – in Buffalo, a Socialist won the Democratic primary and then lost the general election to the sitting mayor through a write-in campaign.
Here, there’s no need for a write-in. Cuomo is still on the ballot. So are Mayor Eric Adams, Curtis Sliwa, and Jim Walden.
In order to beat Mamdani, there has to be only one serious candidate as an alternative. The more candidates, the greater the chance that the anti-Mamdani vote will be split. This is not the time for egos. Cuomo and Adams must evaluate who has the better chance. The one with the lesser chance must suspend their campaign and ask their supporters to back the other.
Warren S. Hecht is a local attorney. He can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
