The Finish

Final Day!

We woke up to a beautiful morning in Poolesville, MD with only 42 more miles left of our journey. Being a short day, we had our last standup breakfast at the truck at 7am. The morning was cool and the roads in the beginning were shady. As we got closer to Washington, DC the traffic became busier and then we were directed to the Capital Crescent Trail, a rails to trail path. That was packed with people walking, jogging, biking or skating. Upon leaving that trail we went by the Watergate Hotel, the Kennedy Center and the Lincoln Memorial. Our next stop was the Old Post Office Pavillion where we had our final lunch together at Big Rider Alumni Costas Poppas from 1998 Greek Taverna. Thanks so much. It was a wonderful meal that held me over until I got home. Lots of hugs and photos were exchanged at that time.

At noon we were outside ready to ride to the finish at Henry Bacon Park in the National Mall. We were sent off in pairs about 30 seconds apart. I rode with Brad. With all the security now days the finish was kept low key at the park. When I arrived my siblings were there, Diane and Tom and Dave and Rhea along with Diane's friends. Diane made a sign for me that we used to take a final group picture with. Emotions were running high for us. After the congratulations and pictures we went to the truck for the final unloading of our bags. Within half an hour I was on the road with Dave and Rhea headed home. Eleven hours after this 48 day event I was home. I can't believe it and I have to ask myself if it really happened.

Top of the Hill Gang

Top of the hill gang, those riders 50+ years old, George, Jan, Mark, Susan, Brad, Mike, Su and rider support crew Frank. It's been fun, thanks for making it memorable.

Sunrise in Gettysburg

Gettysburg, PA to Poolesville, MD

Only a couple more days and the event is over. Gettysburg to Poolesville was relatively short, only about 60 miles, but it was still hilly. By the time we arrived in Poolesville it was hot. We've been very fortunate to have only a few hot days. We camped at the high school football field and by the time I went to bed the weather cooled down so I could sleep. Being our last night together, we had a group dinner at Bassetts, the local restaurant in town. We all signed cards and pictures for Bridgett, Alan and Frank as a token of our appreciation for all the hard dedicated work they spent to make this ride as special as it was. It wouldn't have happened without them. The final game of the Euchre tournament was played with Brad and Chacko the champs.

At the town center a band was playing. I walked down to listen and it was great to see people outside enjoying themselves. Izzy was playing soccer with some little kids while others were throwing the frisbie. I headed back to camp thinking this is the last night in my tent. Tomorrow I'll be home in my own bed. I can't believe it's really ending, it seems just like yesterday that we started, yet on the other hand it seems so long ago and far away.

Bedford, PA to Gettysburg, PA

Hooray, this is our final exam and I passed. With 102 miles to go and the weather getting hotter, we had breakfast a 5:30 am. Since my team was on setup, I was awake a 4 am. We ate in the dark and were on the road by 6 am. The sun was just peeking over the mountains. We followed the PA bicycle route for most of the day. It took us up and down the mountains and then the steep climbs flattened out to long rolling hills. At mile 51 we were in the Cowans Gap State Park where 2008 big ride alumni Tony provided a wonderful cookout lunch. Usually I don't eat big meals when I ride but I ate everything I could find. Thanks so much Tony. By 2:10 pm the temperature was 91 degrees and high humidity. I was soaked to the bone from sweating. Everything I drink comes out as sweat.



At camp my sister Diane and her husband Tom were there waiting with cold water, beer, watermelon, pretzels and cookies. I think the cold water was the biggest hit. We're staying in a hotel so Tom dried out my tent and then we headed out. That evening we went to the Farnsworth Inn for dinner. We all had prime rib and it was great. We were going to walk around town but a big thunderstorm blew through. Back at the hotel we(they also helped me since I was so tired) did laundry, the last time I need to do it on this trip. After a good night sleep we plan to be tourists. I figure this will be the only time that I'm in Gettysburg and I best see it now.

Burton, OH-New Waterford-Washington,PA-Confluence-Bedford,PA

The first day of this stretch took us through Amish country. This area of Middlefield, OH has the largest Amish population in the world. It's very common to see the horse and buggy on the road. One house had in front of it 4 buggy wheels for sales, they're all metal, no rubber in them. What I learned from my Amish buggy ride the day before is that wheels last about 18 years. The ones with rubber between the wheel and the rim make for a quieter and smoother ride. The hills are back as we head into the Appalachians. These first two days were short, only 59 and 62.

In Washington, PA Kristen's parents were there waiting for us with cold drinks, fruit, treats and pizza bread. It was greatly appreciated as we arrived in camp fairly early. Thanks so much. Dinner was catered and there was a lot of leftovers. Due to lack of cold storage space, Bridgett wanted the food to be taken to the local shelter. Just as fate would have it, a couple staying in the camp approached us asking about the ride. The woman was from Washington and used to work at the shelter. They took Alan and the food to the shelter. What a great thing, not waste the food and give it to someone who needs it. The next morning again there were plenty of extras so off to the shelter Alan went.

From Washington we rode to Confluence, PA, an 88 mile day. The first 40ish miles were on the road. We rode through Mingo Creek County Park, very nice. Continuing on we followed the Monangahela River. At West Newton, PA we picked up the Great Allegheny Passage bike trail for about 50 miles. It runs from Pittsburg to Cumberland and then connects to the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath. The first part of the GAP is the YRT, the Youghiogheny River Trail. The trail is the old Western Marilyn Railroad bed. Across the river is the CSX railroad. We could hear the trains pass by us but couldn't always see them due to the trees. The trail is hardpack sand and slag which even road bikes with the skinny tires can safely ride. In Connellsville, Big Rider Alumni, Fred Husak hosted a lunch. Thank you Fred.

In Ohiopyle, PA there is a state park. We stopped there for a dip in the river and an ice cream. There are also falls there and the original name of the city was something like Falls City, why the name was changed, I don't know. With only 10 more miles to go to, we arrived in Confluence.

Confluence, PA has a dam on the Youghiogheny. There the lake is about 125 feet deep. In the spring it's deeper. Being a Monday, only one restaurant was opened, so that's where we all ate at our leisure. There were lots of kids there, probably the river guides and some self-supported cyclists.

Confluence to Bedford, we started out on the GAP again for 30 miles then another 50 on the hilly roads. We're getting prepared for our "final exam" when we ride into Gettysburg. The GAP in now following the Casselman River. We left the trail at Meyersdale. Brad, Isang, Chacko and I had breakfast at Minnie's there. For a whole $3.50 I got 2 eggs, ham, home fries and toast. What a deal. We went by the Flight 93 (9/11) memorial. A new larger memorial is being built. Moving along we rode up the eastern continental divide and then down a 5 mile, 9% grade. Since I don't like going fast downhill, I feather my brakes often and made two stops to cool things down. Also my hands tend to cramp up. I was very happy to get down safely and roll into camp. Bedford is the home of the Cannondale factory. Recently they sent their manufacturing overseas. Now all that is done in the US is assembly. Too bad, one more thing now out of the
US. They probably can't say "made in the US" anymore.