Thursday, August 7, 2014

BIG RIDE August 1 - August 3 Summary and Finish


Day        Destination                         Arrival                   Depart                  Mile

47           Clarksville, MD  1              Aug        2-            Aug                        60

Rolling hills and crossed into Maryland with some busy traffic.  Stayed at Little Bennett state park and went across the street to a pavilion that was the site of the last night  out.  After dinner very passionate words by the staff with Charlton commending us on our journey and paying tribute to Karolina who could not finish but gave it a shot.  Will was touching when he talked of his father and the example he set.  We all received awards for the ride with mine the  most inflatable because cathy and I both only had one flat, coffee thief for my ability to get coffee in the morning and believe it or not, best ass for my butt, I guess because I stand on the bike so much.  We all went to bed early and wanted to savor the last night but alas we were just too tired.




48           Washington DC 2              Aug                                                        42

The last day.  Busy roads and navigation to the capital and the end.  We went from roads to bike paths on the capital cresent trail and at the rest stop was surprised by an electrical fire on a telephone pole  across the street from the checkpoint.  The fire trucks arrived and we started to DC and the end of our journey.  Soon we met up with Ted, Ben, Liz, Andrea, and Jen who started early on bike to meet us.  What an overwhelming sight, family to join us to the conclusion, what a joy.  We arrived at the Capital and navigated to the Ronald Regan building where a           BIG RIDE alumni Mr. Costas arranged a nice lunch and final meal before we headed to the ceremony.  We all staged on the plaza and did a two minute interval into the final leg and received our medals with the capital and Washington monument as backdrops.  What a great ending .  Several great photos with the group , family and the Pedigo group as sponsors to Cathy’s trip.

That evening we went to Tonic and celebrated in grand style and retired to the State plaza hotel after good byes and farewells.  Everyone was happy to be finished and the celebration was a completion to the journey.



 
















Epilogue

On Sunday we went to the Potomac  River for the front wheel dip before the van trip back to Pittsburgh.  The return trip to Pittsburgh included roads that were cycled the day before, with a stop in Bedford.  The climb was much easier powered by a Chevy engine and all the weight  carried in the van.  Arrived home in less than 5 hours , a task that took us 5 days by bike.  Great to be home.  I know where the coffee maker was, the bathroom and of course the king size bed was so comfortable.

The end.

Well, l not quite because we all have to adjust to reentry into the normal world, but that’s what we do every day anyway, try and adjust to the bumps in the road .

Thank you to all who supported the BIG RIDE.

Top Favorites  List

Best ride:  10 mile downhill into the Columbia River Basin with a tailwind.

Best scenery:  the Bad Lands

Biggest Challenge:  109 miles in Wyoming riding alone.  

Best University:  Wisconsin at Madison

Best Quote: Charlton DuRant, “This group is like herding cats with their tales on fire”

Biggest Surprise:  Flight 93 memorial and the emotional impact

Best Taste: Chocolate milk after the ride most days

Favorite Lunch:  Hummus on whole wheat flatbread and Gatorade

 

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Statistics:

Miles:  3,384

12 States:  Washington, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland

Days: 52

Flats : 1

Days I didn’t want to ride: 0

Longest day:  113 miles in Indiana

Rescues: none, road every inch

2014 Big Riders: 11