LI Bike Mecca or Mediocre?

So today I set off on the tough streets of Suffolk County Long Island NY for what will be at least 5 weeks of training to prepare for the hills of Kentucky when I rejoin the ZooMerica Tour on our conquest of the continent. With bright yellow panniers in tow, my bike currently dubbed "The Sterilizer" (named to be changed at a later date possibly) cruised down some busy streets taking me on many errands. Overall it was a great experience as I had to rely heavily on signaling and an overwhelming awareness of cars on the road. Compared to the horse and buggy-tractor driving mennonites of Harrisonburg; New York motorist have a take no prisoners approach when it comes to bikers. Throughout my ride, cars were really getting acquainted to "The Sterilizer." Drivers were working hard to come as close to the bike at record breaking speeds with the intent to send me flat on my A*$. A highlight for sure was when I was stopped alongside a school bus and overheard some sixth graders in the back diggin' the ride! All in all, with Day one of LI training behind me, I remain unscathed and even more determined to continue training for the moment when I reunite with the ZOo!