By Richard Kaufman
Sentinel Reporter
Beginning last week and culminating earlier this week on Tuesday, Greenwich Police Department technician Robert Ferretti made the four-day trek from Boston to Ground Zero as part of the annual Tour de Force 9/11 Memorial Bicycle Ride.
The Tour de Force’s mission is to honor the victims of 9/11 by keeping their memory alive through cycling events and to raise funds to benefit the families of police officers nationwide that have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Ferretti, who was working as a police officer in Port Chester, N.Y., on 9/11, responded to the terrorist attacks that morning and worked through the night. After hearing about the ride, started in 2002 by NYPD Det. Robert De Paolis, Ferretti decided he wanted to join.
“I immediately signed up for it and found friends,” Ferretti said.
Now taking part in his 13th ride, the experience is still rewarding. “It’s fun because now it’s like a reunion with about 60 or 70 of the core riders,” he said. “After 13 years, our kids are now grown, are in and out of college.”
The first ride in 2002 started with nine riders and has since grown to 236 in 2016.
The ride usually changes from year-to-year, sometimes starting at the Pentagon and finishing at Ground Zero or vice versa. In 2007, it actually started at Yankee Stadium and ended at Fenway Park in Boston.
This year’s ride poignantly originated at the Boston Marathon finish line for the second time. Ferretti said the riders get police escorts leaving Boston and coming into Manhattan which are always exciting to experience.
“Every year when we ride in together and we go into the state of New Jersey and into lower Manhattan, it’s exciting. It helps you remember that day,” Ferretti said. “A lot of the older riders were working that day, whether they were in New York City or somewhere else; it means a lot.”
As of Tuesday afternoon, Ferretti has personally raised $6,075 of his $10,000 goal. Donations will be accepted through the end of the month.
“The money we raise for officers’ families from all over the country… it’s not a lot, but it’s something,” Ferretti said.
Ferretti said he tries to ride his bike at least a few times per week, and that Greenwich is a great place to train because of the many hills. “[If] you can train in Greenwich, you can ride anywhere,” he said.
Ferretti said he has no plans of taking a break any time soon. Keeping the memories alive of those who perished that day and those that continue to sacrifice themselves in the line of duty is important for Ferretti to continue.
“As long as I can keep riding a bike I’ll keep going on this ride.”
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