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
