This Friday's Facts are about COSMOS!

The lyric lines, "what a differnce a day makes," often come to my mind, especially in terms of my roof extension garden, which is featured in the photo atop this entry. I took the photograph this morning. As you can surmise the sun is shining brightly and the flora which I grow here is thriving. I am always grateful for this, especially when weather conditions have threatened the growing process, for a couple of days ago we had such heavy rains (as seen in the image directly below), I had reason to believe (based on what has happened in bygone years with severe showers) that a number of just-now-coming-up flowers as well as buds might drop.

Naturally I was concerned about all the flora who are in their early 2021 blooming phase but I was especially concerned about my Cosmos.

2021's First Sunday in May

Under "normal" circumstances, The TD Five Boro Bike Tour would be occurring today, as it always takes place on the first Sunday in May. 

This annual event began on June 12, 1977 (an image of the event from Bike New York's web-page) and it was known as the Five Boro Challenge with 250 participants. 

Going forward it took place every year on the first Sunday in May hosting up up to 32,000 riders from every state in the nation and 65 countries around the world with the exception of last year when it was cancelled as NYC was in the throes of the coronavirus pandemic related lockdowns.

Cinco de Mayo in Bygone Years & 5/5/2020 (Tuesday's Truths WK 178)

It's Cinco de Mayo and I'm recalling a time the holiday fell on the first Sunday in May, which coincided the Five Boro Bike Tour, an event I referenced in this past Sunday's entry here on Blogger. At that particular time, I celebrated completing another bike tour with a margarita at Santa Fe restaurant (which can be seen in the photo directly above).

This year because of the somberness due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus)  pandemic, I  don't think there was much (if anything) mentioned about the holiday which is normally a festive one in my hood as we have a number of Mexican Restraunts (which are closed due to NYC's shutdowns).

FLASH BACK FRIDAY Cinco de Mayo in 2013

Today is Cinco de Mayo. Re this holiday, USA Today states "For many Americans, Cinco de Mayo is a day for enjoying Mexican food, culture — and maybe some margaritas. Its historical origin is quite different: Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican army's victory over French forces on May 5, 1862, at the Battle of Puebla. Contrary to popular belief, Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico's independence day, which is Sept. 16."

In 2013, the holiday coincided with The Five Boro Bike Tour (TFBBT), which I participated in for the fourth time! The image atop this entry features me with my bike captain, ZW, and another cyclist as we posed at the start-line before the event took place. As you can see, scores (thousands) of cyclists are behind us, many of them wore sombreros over their helmet in honor of Cinco de Mayo.

And, a number of participants, including yours truly, wore a "solidarity" badge, as a way of paying homage to those who were severely injured and/or lost their lives during the bombing at The Boston Marathon,

This tragic event had occurred a few weeks prior to the time of the 2013 of the TFBBT. Therefore, security was especially tight! But all that were involved, made an effort to enjoy the opportunity to participate in this awesome event; topping it off a margarita to toast Cinco de Mayo!

This coming Sunday, another TFBBT, will take place but I won't participate this year. However I will always be grateful for all the times I was able to do so! AND, meanwhile, Happy Cinco de Mayo to you and yours, dear reader!

Cyclin' on Cinco de Mayo!

This past Cinco de Mayo (May 5th 2013), I participated in Bike New York's annual Five Boro Bike Tour where I rode as cyclist #3787; and once again I sincerely want to thank The Achilles Club in New York City (and especially Ayesha Rosena Anna McGowan) for making it possible for me to participate in The Five Boro Bike Tour. 

This was the fifth year that I've taken part in this awesome event with Achilles and the image posted with this narrative shows yours truly with my captain at the start line of the Five Boro Tour. The image was taken by Keegan Stephan of Time's Up, a cycling related organization/charity.