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.