The Kindness Bicycle surpassed its estimate of 4,000 miles a couple of weeks ago. I far underestimated the amount of miles I would ride throughout the five boroughs of New York City. I will have traveled over 1,200 miles in New York City alone at trip’s end in October. I think I have seen parts of this city most New Yorkers haven’t seen.
Firefighter Zazulka who spent a stint in the Army was on house watch when I pulled up to his Firehouse. We headed back to the kitchen and had a great meeting with Chief Codd and Captain (Prince) Principio.
Officer Sanchez at the 45th Precinct talked of being at Ground Zero and how he carries the memory with him. He said it was a big help to see The Kindness  Bicycle Ride for Heroes pull up to his Precinct this afternoon.
All in all I visited 6 Firehouses and 2 Police Precincts making for a very big day in the Bronx.

The Bronx Zoo is smack dab in the middle of the Bronx. A good part of my ride today was along its western and southern border. The streets of central Bronx were crowded with residents as I made my way to 5 Firehouses and 1 Police Precinct.
Ain, Carlton and Justin, three Firefighters at the Walton Avenue Firehouse, which has Engine 75 and Ladder 33 had me in for a very long visit. They are having a benefit for one of their own who gave his life in the line of duty in October. It is one event I certainly won’t miss.
Two Firehouses I visited today, had just arrived back from practice drills they had worked. The drill was at the Bronx Zoo. I never did find out what type of drill.

My visit to the South Bronx on The Kindness Bicycle today, was nothing short of incredible. So many great visits and conversations. It dawned on me this afternoon, as I was passing Yankee Stadium, that I am getting near the finish of The Kindness Bicycle Ride for Heroes. I am rounding third and heading for home.
Glenn, a Marine and now a Firefighter, and Kevin, with ladder 29 were instant fans the moment the door opened to their Firehouse.
40 Precinct Community Affairs Officer Espada and School Sergeant Garcia are doing all they can to help kids in their borough. They loved the idea of sharing the idea of One Million Acts Of Kindness with their community.
Bobby with Ladder 55 had loads of questions and wanted as many details as I could tell him.
Every Firehouse I visit, it seems as though I am offered breakfast or lunch, lucky for me I am riding so many miles.

FDNY’s Fire Academy on Randall’s Island, also known as The Rock, was my only stop today. I had heard about this training facility a number of times during my visits to all of the Firehouses thus far.
Firefighter James Sorokac, who is celebrating 25 years with the FDNY took me on an hour-long tour of this state-of-the-art facility. He is an instructor here and knowledgable about everything FDNY. He is a member of the department’s ceremonial unit and the keeper of “The Last Alarm,” a bell that is rung to honor firefighters that are lost in the line of duty.

Today is Bogart’s 5th birthday. That puts him at 32 in people years.
In his first year an a half of life, Bogart was bounced from home to home, three homes in all. That is, until he found me, his 4th and final home. He is one very lucky rescue dog.
Bogart’s stay at his summer spa for the past 100 days is coming to an end. He will be rejoining me before too long to accompany me on The Kindness Bus and the Ring Our Country with Kindness ride around the perimeter of the United States.
I am busy creating information sheets, signage, shirt designs and so many other necessities for the R.O.C.K. ride, while finishing up The Kindness Bicycle Ride for Heroes.
Hey Bogart! I’m only 11 years old in dog years! According to the new formula used by veterinarians that is. I feel so young.

FDNY Commissioner, Salvatore J. Cassano on the right in today’s photo and Chief of Department, Edward Kilduff, sought me out this morning at the 9/11 Memorial to thank me for visiting all 212 Firehouses in the five boroughs of New York City. It was an honor to say the least, being acknowledged by these highest ranking officials.
Dozens of Firefighters from Firehouses I had visited, came by to say hello and thank me once again for honoring the 343 who lost their lives. The 11th annual memorial is way to never forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice. The National Anthem as well as Amazing Grace were sung by a very talented singer. All 343 Firefighter’s names were read along with their rank and a bell tolled after each. Taps were played after a beautiful sermon. Many reflections were shared after the memorial.
I was asked by a reporter as I made my way through the sea of Firefighters in their dress blues, “what good can come from an event like 9/11?” I responded, to learn love.

In early July, I pulled up to a man on a Harley-Davidson who was waiting at a red light. I think the vast majority of Harley riders are big supporters of Wounded Warriors. At the end of our red light conversation he said you ought to ride with us to Ground Zero at midnight on the eve of 9/11. I forgot about this conversation until this morning when another man on a Harley  pulled over to the curb while I was taking a break. He and I talked for a while about The Kindness Bicycle Ride for Heroes. He told me it would be awesome for me to ride to Ground Zero with the motorcycles tonight. So I called  Harley-Davidson of New York City and got the go-ahead. Riders from all over the New York and surrounding states showed up for this 10th annual solemn ride to honor the memory of those lost and the heroic efforts of others on September 11, 2001.
The ride began in Queens and ended at the Freedom Tower some 8 miles later. The ride was incredible, as we rode past crowds of late night revelers cheering us on.
The ceremony of laying a wreath and playing of bagpipes brought this crowd to silence to honor the lives lost eleven years ago. It was a memory I will hold in my heart.