By ARIELLA MONTI
Rockville Centre residents Detwiller and Franco are participating in this year's Tour de Force, an event that began in 2002 as a memorial to police officers who died.
"A lot of our friends were killed on Sept. 11," said Franco, a detective in the New York City Police Department. "We're doing it for their memory." Franco has been a member of the NYPD for 26 years, and is a former chief of the Rockville Centre Fire Department, where he has volunteered for 36 years.
Franco and Detwiller will report to the Pentagon on Sunday and begin their trip on Monday, riding 107 miles to Rehoboth Beach, Del., where they will spend the night. From there they will average 67 miles per day, and on Sept. 11 the last leg of the trip will take them from Perth Amboy, N.J., to ground zero, where they will finish at the New York City police memorial.
Participants must raise at least $1,000 in order to ride, with proceeds going to the families of police officers killed in the line of duty. Tour de Force will also donate a large sum to the NYPD Widows and Children Fund. "We're just trying to raise money for this organization," said Franco.
"It's somewhat personal, too, to be riding for these people that we knew," said Detwiller who has worked for the Nassau County Police Department for 35 years. He has also fought fires alongside Franco with the village fire department for 35 years.
Detwiller said that taking part in the ride serves several purposes. Since being accepted into the event, which allows only 150 riders, in January, he has ridden 100 miles a week in addition to taking spin classes and doing other regular exercise. As a result, he is 30 pounds lighter and healthier. Franco rides his bike from Rockville Centre to Bayshore in Suffolk County or into the city to help prepare him for the arduous trip.
The pair are looking forward to the event, and hope to raise more money before it begins. For more information on the ride, go to tourdeforceny.com.
Comments about this story? AMonti@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 282.
