August 9, 2008 Clarksburg, MD to Washington, DC 53 miles (55)

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…