Awoke early, eager to get started on the final day’s ride. Still dark, packing presented little challenge since, in the last 7 weeks, I have had ample practice doing just this. The routine has become ingrained; deflate thermarest, roll it up and place in bag. Stuff blanket and pillow, along with sleep wear into waterproof pack. Next, get dressed, set bags outside of tent and make sure all items are off overhead storage net (I forgot to do this once and ended up having to unpack my tent to retrieve my sunglasses). Pull up stakes, remove and fold rainfly, drop the tent, fold and bag poles, fold tent, roll it all up and place it in the bag; all of this is done and the sun is not even up!
Breakfast was subdued, people seem to be preoccupied with the fact that we are at the beginning of the end of our 48-day adventure. Rolling out of camp at 7:10 am in groups of 2 to 5 riders, people seemed in no hurry to go out fast.
The early miles were through beautiful, rolling countryside. Raising horses seems to be a large part of the local culture. Imagine our surprise when looking into a pasture off to our right we noticed a horse of a different color. Okay, it wasn’t a horse – it was a zebra. I had to stop to verify. Yes, just 40 miles from Washington, DC, a zebra was grazing alongside four horses!
The other riders had left me behind so I rode alone, quite content to have time during our last day to reflect on the ride of my life. I was not alone for long. At the bottom of a hill, Simon and Tony were off to the side. Simon had blown out a tire and needed a replacement – they both knew that I always carried a spare tire (Most riders just carried spare inner tubes). Simon’s tire problems solved; we quickly got back on the road and soon caught several other riders, including some Big Ride alumni who had come out to escort us on our last day. Many past riders seem to have a long-lasting connection to this event.
The terrain was not done with us just yet. There were some more tough climbs to overcome during the first 40 miles of the ride.
I almost forgot to mention – the “weather gods” smiled on us again! Sunny skies, low humidity (unheard of in DC this time of year), cool temperatures, and a tailwind accompanied our ride today. I doubt there has EVER been a cross-country ride, spanning 48 days, that has been graced with the wonderful weather we have been blessed with!
At mile 43 we experienced a total change in riding environment. For the next 7 miles we shared a very congested bike path (It is Saturday) with walkers, usually walking two or three abreast, joggers, pseudo-bicycle racers, roller bladers, and others. It may have been the most dangerous part of the Big Ride (Route 87 in Ohio was worse).
Riding past the Watergate building (of Nixon fame), the Kennedy Center, along the Potomac River, through the streets of Washington DC, past the Washington Monument and the Viet Nam Veteran’s Memorial was emotionally moving because it reinforced the fact that our great adventure was almost over. But first…..
We need (or want) FOOD!
Costas Pappas is a Big Ride alumni who rode in 1998. He is also the owner of Greek Taverna, a provider of great eats located in the food court of the Old Post Office Pavillion. All of our riders met at his establishment where we were served more food and drink than we could realistically finish, before being sent out, in groups of two or three, to ride the final mile to the official finish of the ride. Costas is a very generous supporter of the Big Ride!
Doug, Dewayne, and I rode out together looking for Henry Bacon Drive and the finish. There were no banners, no music, no pomp and circumstance, just an informal mingling of friends and family waiting for their loved ones to ride in. The only “official” acknowledgement of our accomplishment was the sign made by Doug’s daughters which read “You Made It!”.
After hugs, high fives, and a group picture we all went our separate ways. Some riders loaded up and headed home, others went to a variety of local hotels. A sizeable group of us stayed at the State Plaza hotel, three blocks from the finish.
Ash and Pauline hosted a small get-together for riders and their families in their suite. Drinks and snacks were served as we reminisced about the past 48 days.
So this is how it ends; not with a bang, but a whimper…
Saturday, August 16, 2008
August 8, 2008 Gettysburg, PA to Clarksburg, MD 50 miles (50)
Our string of UNBELIEVABLE luck continues to hold…yesterday’s storm brought with it a welcomed change in weather. Clear skies, low humidity, moderate temperatures and a tailwind accompanied us all day. The usual for this area this time of year is hot, sticky, almost unbearable weather. It is one reason, even in Abraham Lincoln’s day, that people left Washington, DC for cooler locations.
Our ride traced routes taken by both the Confederate and Union armies as they marched back and forth through this area during the Civil War. Plaques, monuments, memorials, and parks commemorated many events of those troubled days. I was inclined to read them all – but didn’t.
In Taneytown, at mile 12, Doug, Joe and I stopped at a café for breakfast. As usual, our bikes out front signaled others to stop as well. We were soon joined by Bruce, Cliff, Letty, Catie, Rachel, Sam, Janet, Barbara, Rosie, and Tracey. The coffee was excellent, the food was good and the stop gave us a chance to acknowledge the fact that 24 hours from now (or there-a-bouts) we would all be going our separate ways. There was a melancholy mood settling over the group.
Rolling through the beautiful countryside, it was hard to believe that we were less than 100 miles from our nation’s capital. Well maintained horse farms, cornfields, brick and stone homes that had seen history march past enhanced the short day’s ride.
Just outside of Fredrick was the Monocacy Battlefield National Monument which I couldn’t pass up. I turned in; Doug looked and just rode on. The interpretive center was only 14 months old, well designed, and staffed by very helpful and knowledgeable people. The little known battle fought on this site stalled a last ditch effort on the part of the Confederates to attack lightly defended Washington, DC.
The last ten miles into Little Bennett Park had a few hills, to remind us of what we had just come through, traffic, to prepare us for what we will certainly face tomorrow.
Tonight’s camp reminds us of our first night’s stay – wooded, secluded tent sites, minus the roar of trucks passing by.
Most people seem somewhat subdued, almost melancholy, reflecting on the completion of our journey tomorrow. Spirits were brightened a bit by the actions of a “closet pyromaniac” in our group. Patty C.,with help from others, built and tended a huge campfire – the only one of the trip. The bright, dancing flames invited riders to sit around, talk and laugh, lightening the mood of the evening. Thanks Patty!
Noah liked the fire so much that he spent the night outside, sleeping near the fire pit. He said that he was watching the fire but some of us suspect that other factors contributed to his choice of sleeping accommodations. We also heard rumors that an unconventional, socially unacceptable method was employed in a failed attempt to put out the fire…I wonder what it might have been?
Our ride traced routes taken by both the Confederate and Union armies as they marched back and forth through this area during the Civil War. Plaques, monuments, memorials, and parks commemorated many events of those troubled days. I was inclined to read them all – but didn’t.
In Taneytown, at mile 12, Doug, Joe and I stopped at a café for breakfast. As usual, our bikes out front signaled others to stop as well. We were soon joined by Bruce, Cliff, Letty, Catie, Rachel, Sam, Janet, Barbara, Rosie, and Tracey. The coffee was excellent, the food was good and the stop gave us a chance to acknowledge the fact that 24 hours from now (or there-a-bouts) we would all be going our separate ways. There was a melancholy mood settling over the group.
Rolling through the beautiful countryside, it was hard to believe that we were less than 100 miles from our nation’s capital. Well maintained horse farms, cornfields, brick and stone homes that had seen history march past enhanced the short day’s ride.
Just outside of Fredrick was the Monocacy Battlefield National Monument which I couldn’t pass up. I turned in; Doug looked and just rode on. The interpretive center was only 14 months old, well designed, and staffed by very helpful and knowledgeable people. The little known battle fought on this site stalled a last ditch effort on the part of the Confederates to attack lightly defended Washington, DC.
The last ten miles into Little Bennett Park had a few hills, to remind us of what we had just come through, traffic, to prepare us for what we will certainly face tomorrow.
Tonight’s camp reminds us of our first night’s stay – wooded, secluded tent sites, minus the roar of trucks passing by.
Most people seem somewhat subdued, almost melancholy, reflecting on the completion of our journey tomorrow. Spirits were brightened a bit by the actions of a “closet pyromaniac” in our group. Patty C.,with help from others, built and tended a huge campfire – the only one of the trip. The bright, dancing flames invited riders to sit around, talk and laugh, lightening the mood of the evening. Thanks Patty!
Noah liked the fire so much that he spent the night outside, sleeping near the fire pit. He said that he was watching the fire but some of us suspect that other factors contributed to his choice of sleeping accommodations. We also heard rumors that an unconventional, socially unacceptable method was employed in a failed attempt to put out the fire…I wonder what it might have been?
Thursday, August 7, 2008
August 7, 2008 Gettysburg, PA
Several weeks ago some of us decided that renting a hotel room would be a nice touch for our final rest day. Dewayne and I booked a room in the Gettysburg Travelodge. I have mixed feelings – it would be nice to spend time with many of the Big Riders in camp, one of the last times we would be able to share experiences, but on the other hand, sleeping in a bed, in an air-conditioned room with a clean bathroom obviously won out.
I awoke at 7:40 am, refreshed and ready to spend the bulk of the day relaxing; no battlefield tours, no bike riding; just a bit of exploring the town on foot was on my agenda. Walking through town I was amazed at the record of events, displayed on plaques everywhere, recounting events of July 1 – 3, 1863. If buildings could talk, many in town could speak volumes on what they witnessed as the Battle of Gettysburg raged in and around town.
Visiting the College of Gettysburg campus, where my father attended school MANY years ago (approx. 64 years ago), I located his dorm and took pictures to share with him when I return home.
We did have a major storm blow through that knocked down trees and dumped copious amounts of rain in a short period of time. Streets in Gettysburg were turned into rivers and hail bounced off roofs. We were glad to be in a hotel!
I awoke at 7:40 am, refreshed and ready to spend the bulk of the day relaxing; no battlefield tours, no bike riding; just a bit of exploring the town on foot was on my agenda. Walking through town I was amazed at the record of events, displayed on plaques everywhere, recounting events of July 1 – 3, 1863. If buildings could talk, many in town could speak volumes on what they witnessed as the Battle of Gettysburg raged in and around town.
Visiting the College of Gettysburg campus, where my father attended school MANY years ago (approx. 64 years ago), I located his dorm and took pictures to share with him when I return home.
We did have a major storm blow through that knocked down trees and dumped copious amounts of rain in a short period of time. Streets in Gettysburg were turned into rivers and hail bounced off roofs. We were glad to be in a hotel!
August 6, 2008 Bedford to Gettysburg, PA 100 miles (101)
2:37 am (I hate digital watches – too exact!) is a bad time to wake up with the urge to use the bathroom. There is too much time before I need to get up so holding it is not an option and getting out of the tent is a chore. Fumbling around in the dark to find zippers, unzipping both the screen door and then the rain fly creates a lot of noise and disturbs others (many of us are now conditioned to wake up in the morning to the sound of zippers opening – “zipper alarms” we call them), contorting a stiff body in order to get out of the too small tent door, and then walking to the bathroom is not fun. As I stepped out into the night I noticed something moving between several tents. Thinking it was a raccoon, or worse, a skunk, I flashed my light in its direction. It was just a plastic bag blowing by. The wind was strong and heavy with the threat of rain. I wondered what morning would bring. At 4:23 am (see digital watch comment) I was no longer wondering, a few raindrops splattered on my tent and just as I was deliberating about breaking camp before everything got soaked, the skies opened up! My decision was easy – crawl back under my blanket and sleep for another hour. At 5:39 am I awoke to silence, the rain had stopped; the skies had begun to clear promising yet another spectacular riding day.
I doubt if any cross-country bicycle tour has been blessed with wonderful weather that has accompanied the 2008 Big Ride Across America!
Breakfast was unusually bad, even by our reduced standards. With the end of the ride in sight supplies are running low so we have to make due with what is left. Two bowls of corn flakes and one banana fortified me for the start of our last 100+ mile day.
Today’s ride is billed as our “final exam”. The cue sheet states “Huge day on the bike…The first 40 miles features several big climbs and treacherous descents.” The ride lived up to its billing! Today we rode over ridges of the Appalachian Mountains and then descended into Gettysburg.
Leaving camp with several others, the early miles tested the legs with a combination of long, gradual uphills punctuated by several short (and some not-so-short) climbs. In Breezewood, at mile 21, we stopped for breakfast. Immediately after refueling the serious climbing began which had me using the lowest gears on my bike. I was still feeling the effects of doing the optional Mount Davis ride yesterday so, as I painfully made my way up each climb, I had ample time to reflect on the stupidity of trying to be young at my age.
The lunch stop and checkpoint was at Cowen State Park (mile 51). What a wonderful setting; a large lake surrounded by pines, a cool wind blowing through, swimming beach and a snack bar, no one wanted to leave.
I rolled out alone to finish the last half of the ride. I didn’t want to be pushed by anyone, the last 3,000 miles have taken a toll on my body. some of the young kids still continue to get stronger (I hate youth) but many of us, young and old alike, have become fatigued by the constant physical effort.
Much of the remaining ride followed Route 30, the same road that goes through DeKalb, IL.; another tie to home for me. The day grew hotter, the sun beat down, and the road went up and up. The gradual climb seemed never ending but was made easier by a strong tailwind. About 12 miles from Gettysburg a long downhill began that took us almost all the way into town, what a relief!
Camp for most riders was at the Artillery Ridge Campground while several of us were headed off to the Travelodge in town.
I doubt if any cross-country bicycle tour has been blessed with wonderful weather that has accompanied the 2008 Big Ride Across America!
Breakfast was unusually bad, even by our reduced standards. With the end of the ride in sight supplies are running low so we have to make due with what is left. Two bowls of corn flakes and one banana fortified me for the start of our last 100+ mile day.
Today’s ride is billed as our “final exam”. The cue sheet states “Huge day on the bike…The first 40 miles features several big climbs and treacherous descents.” The ride lived up to its billing! Today we rode over ridges of the Appalachian Mountains and then descended into Gettysburg.
Leaving camp with several others, the early miles tested the legs with a combination of long, gradual uphills punctuated by several short (and some not-so-short) climbs. In Breezewood, at mile 21, we stopped for breakfast. Immediately after refueling the serious climbing began which had me using the lowest gears on my bike. I was still feeling the effects of doing the optional Mount Davis ride yesterday so, as I painfully made my way up each climb, I had ample time to reflect on the stupidity of trying to be young at my age.
The lunch stop and checkpoint was at Cowen State Park (mile 51). What a wonderful setting; a large lake surrounded by pines, a cool wind blowing through, swimming beach and a snack bar, no one wanted to leave.
I rolled out alone to finish the last half of the ride. I didn’t want to be pushed by anyone, the last 3,000 miles have taken a toll on my body. some of the young kids still continue to get stronger (I hate youth) but many of us, young and old alike, have become fatigued by the constant physical effort.
Much of the remaining ride followed Route 30, the same road that goes through DeKalb, IL.; another tie to home for me. The day grew hotter, the sun beat down, and the road went up and up. The gradual climb seemed never ending but was made easier by a strong tailwind. About 12 miles from Gettysburg a long downhill began that took us almost all the way into town, what a relief!
Camp for most riders was at the Artillery Ridge Campground while several of us were headed off to the Travelodge in town.
August 5, 2008 Confluence to Bedford, PA 81 miles (79)
Awoke to a low-lying cover of fog with the forecast calling for possible severe rainstorms; not a good start. Once breakfast was finished, as cue sheets were about to be passed out, Sharon called for a show of hands – who wanted to ride the road route up and over the highest point in Pennsylvania? She promised extreme grades, no shoulders, and truck traffic – what an enticing invite! We had known this moment was coming, the moment that separates the men from the boys (I wanted to be a boy). Riders had two options: up and over Mount Adams or the flat, crushed-limestone bicycle trail. The question was posed, I looked around and, sure enough, all the young guys raised their hands. Oh shit! It was time for me to put up or …my hand went up along with Doug’s. We would represent the old guys on the climb (Doug is 39).
A couple of rolling hills out of town gave us a false sense that this was going to be no big deal. A slight drizzle only wetted the road and convinced me to keep my rain jacket on. Things were looking good…until we made a left hand turn and saw THE WALL! Quickly gear down, stand on the pedals, don’t look up, breath hard, dig deep…and we were only 50 feet up the hill! Doug turned off and stopped. “What are you doing?”, I asked. He said, “ You told me to take it easy. So I am!” It was obvious that the ride up and over Davis was going to be rough. As the ride progressed we all separated; it’s hard to ride difficult climbs at someone else’s pace.
• 15-19% grades on Mt. Davis
• Did the mountain – on my own terms
• Great downhills
• Excellent breakfast – though slow service
• More hills
• Tragic traffic accident – bus through trailer (okay, it was only somebody’s house – a trailer with the back two-thirds of a bus installed at right angles to expand living space.
• Great tavern food and drink three miles from camp
• Friendship Village Campground is right next to the Cannondale factory
Did laundry and …went to sleep
A couple of rolling hills out of town gave us a false sense that this was going to be no big deal. A slight drizzle only wetted the road and convinced me to keep my rain jacket on. Things were looking good…until we made a left hand turn and saw THE WALL! Quickly gear down, stand on the pedals, don’t look up, breath hard, dig deep…and we were only 50 feet up the hill! Doug turned off and stopped. “What are you doing?”, I asked. He said, “ You told me to take it easy. So I am!” It was obvious that the ride up and over Davis was going to be rough. As the ride progressed we all separated; it’s hard to ride difficult climbs at someone else’s pace.
• 15-19% grades on Mt. Davis
• Did the mountain – on my own terms
• Great downhills
• Excellent breakfast – though slow service
• More hills
• Tragic traffic accident – bus through trailer (okay, it was only somebody’s house – a trailer with the back two-thirds of a bus installed at right angles to expand living space.
• Great tavern food and drink three miles from camp
• Friendship Village Campground is right next to the Cannondale factory
Did laundry and …went to sleep
August 4, 2008 Washington to Confluence, PA 88 miles (94)
Once again due to a long days’ ride bullet points will have to do. We have all noticed that the daylight hours are getting shorter – a definite sign that we have been on the road a long time!
• The hills were killer early on today.
• Letty has developed into a REAL hill climber,
• Many towns in this area are past their prime.
• The rivers we rode along and crossed over have names that I can’t pronounce, much less spell. (Youghiogheny, Monongahela
• The Youghiogheny River Trail (YRT) is a great rail to trail conversion. We followed it for over 50 miles.
• Some people like crushed limestone bike trails and others don’t.
• Fred (Big Rider 2000) and his family had a great rest stop for us.
• Looking for Tracey adds miles to the ride (not too many) After I finished dinner I overheard that one rider was still out on the trail. It seems that Tracey had several flats and she was still out on the trail alone. Given the fact that it was getting late I volunteered to ride back up the trail to make sure she was safe. Cell phones didn’t work on the trail this so direct contact was the only way to verify her situation. Luckily she was only one and a half miles from camp and all was well.
• Camping at the base of a large dam with a huge water outlet has drawbacks (noise and fear, being two of them)
• Cold beer with a large group of Big Riders (Doug, Dewayne, Steph, James, Chad, Greg, Catie, Kevin, Rachel, Letty, Tony, and Sharon) can solve many problems
• The hills were killer early on today.
• Letty has developed into a REAL hill climber,
• Many towns in this area are past their prime.
• The rivers we rode along and crossed over have names that I can’t pronounce, much less spell. (Youghiogheny, Monongahela
• The Youghiogheny River Trail (YRT) is a great rail to trail conversion. We followed it for over 50 miles.
• Some people like crushed limestone bike trails and others don’t.
• Fred (Big Rider 2000) and his family had a great rest stop for us.
• Looking for Tracey adds miles to the ride (not too many) After I finished dinner I overheard that one rider was still out on the trail. It seems that Tracey had several flats and she was still out on the trail alone. Given the fact that it was getting late I volunteered to ride back up the trail to make sure she was safe. Cell phones didn’t work on the trail this so direct contact was the only way to verify her situation. Luckily she was only one and a half miles from camp and all was well.
• Camping at the base of a large dam with a huge water outlet has drawbacks (noise and fear, being two of them)
• Cold beer with a large group of Big Riders (Doug, Dewayne, Steph, James, Chad, Greg, Catie, Kevin, Rachel, Letty, Tony, and Sharon) can solve many problems
August 3, 2008 New Waterford, OH to Washington, PA 62 miles (62)
Definitely a slow start today; we didn’t get on the road until 8:10 am. I got PLENTY of sleep last night (see August 2nd entry) so I am well rested for the hills promised on today’s route.
Shortly after riding out of the campground, Bob and Kathleen were off to the side on the road. Bob had a flat tire and he was only half a mile from camp. What a lousy way to start the day! Other factors that impacted our ride – a tailwind all day, hills, partly cloudy skies, hills, small towns, hills, comfortable temperatures, and more hills! Today’s ride was beautiful…
Here are some impressions that struck me as the miles rolled under my wheels:
• Is there a problem setting up a rest stop in a cemetery? It was done and one woman was obviously upset about our choice of setting. The cemetery we were at was the final resting place of a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient. His story of heroism on D-Day was very moving.
• Speaking of cemeteries…Is there a problem with a sign placed just outside a cemetery that advertises “Clean Fill Wanted”. Just wondering….?
• As for signs – there was a billboard on the side of a building that advertised “American Foods” and just under it added “German Meat Specialties”.
• We passed by a cemetery named “Mount Prospect’. Until now the only Mount Prospect I was familiar with was the town neighboring Arlington Heights.
• Pennsylvania has more hills than Ohio.
• Dewayne has troubles getting out of restaurants. Two doors were next to each other near the exit of our lunch break. One door, a solid wood door was labeled “Private”, the other, with glass had an exit sign overhead and near the handle a label to “Push”. Dewayne was insistent, he kept trying to exit out of the “Private” door, much to our amusement!
• I wonder how many insects, dead and/or alive, I have transported across state lines in my tent.
• When this ride is over I’m going to bronze my riding shoes, burn my clothes, and rebuild my bicycle.
• Campground facilities (bathrooms) vary widely in quality.
It’s nice to have Dad and Joan call to see how the ride is going…I’m glad they are following the blog (mine and others) – no matter how dull they may seem!
Shortly after riding out of the campground, Bob and Kathleen were off to the side on the road. Bob had a flat tire and he was only half a mile from camp. What a lousy way to start the day! Other factors that impacted our ride – a tailwind all day, hills, partly cloudy skies, hills, small towns, hills, comfortable temperatures, and more hills! Today’s ride was beautiful…
Here are some impressions that struck me as the miles rolled under my wheels:
• Is there a problem setting up a rest stop in a cemetery? It was done and one woman was obviously upset about our choice of setting. The cemetery we were at was the final resting place of a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient. His story of heroism on D-Day was very moving.
• Speaking of cemeteries…Is there a problem with a sign placed just outside a cemetery that advertises “Clean Fill Wanted”. Just wondering….?
• As for signs – there was a billboard on the side of a building that advertised “American Foods” and just under it added “German Meat Specialties”.
• We passed by a cemetery named “Mount Prospect’. Until now the only Mount Prospect I was familiar with was the town neighboring Arlington Heights.
• Pennsylvania has more hills than Ohio.
• Dewayne has troubles getting out of restaurants. Two doors were next to each other near the exit of our lunch break. One door, a solid wood door was labeled “Private”, the other, with glass had an exit sign overhead and near the handle a label to “Push”. Dewayne was insistent, he kept trying to exit out of the “Private” door, much to our amusement!
• I wonder how many insects, dead and/or alive, I have transported across state lines in my tent.
• When this ride is over I’m going to bronze my riding shoes, burn my clothes, and rebuild my bicycle.
• Campground facilities (bathrooms) vary widely in quality.
It’s nice to have Dad and Joan call to see how the ride is going…I’m glad they are following the blog (mine and others) – no matter how dull they may seem!
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