Retired Naval Officer Proposes on Soldier Ride

Two riders took a quick detour to handle some official business on Soldier Ride The Hamptons Saturday -- They got engaged.

Jay Walker, a retired Navy commander, asked Cari Siegal to marry him while they were cycling on Long Lane in East Hampton about 10 miles into the ride.

"He asked me and then said, 'I think you better pull over'," said Siegal, who has a house in Sagaponack.

On the side of the road, with hundreds of cyclists zooming by, Walker got down on bended knee.

She said "yes" and cried tears of joy as he slipped a diamond ring on her finger. He also presented her with a red rose. 

Siegal, 39, and Walker, 45, have only been dating for four months, but Walker said he knew after their second meeting three years ago that she was the one for him.

He even told her sister, whom he's known for years from their hometown of West Hartford, Conn. Her sister always tried to get them together, but it took Siegal longer to come around. "One day I just opened my eyes," she said.

After Walker proposed, Siegal said she was in shock. "I said, 'Do I still have to ride?'" Siegal said with a laugh.

They continued the 30-mile ride, but not before Walker presented his fiancé with a cyclist's vest that says "Team Walker" on the back and "Mr." and "Mrs." on each of their vests.

Walker, who served in Afghanistan and Iraq, retired in February. He is also a former firefighter and paramedic.

He said he decided to propose during their first Soldier Ride, because, "It was everything we're about -- fitness, the military, and giving back to the community."

"Now it's a tradition," Siegal said.