Big Ride Day 48

Photos from Day 48

Wow, the last day! There is a buzz around camp as people are excited about finally seeing family members and being done with the journey. We left around our normal time, knowing that today, there wouldn't really be too much of a hurry. We wouldn't not be allowed to leave the "holding area" where we are having lunch until 1:00 PM anyway. Most people were doing the same and we ended up seeing a lot of riders we don't normally ride with today. It was nice actually. People were riding in bigger groups today, trying to talk to and see as many people as possible in anticipation of the coming departure. At times, there were several dozen riders around us, chatting it up and riding hard through the streets of Maryland.

The last 20 miles of the day were on a paved, dedicated hike-bike trail that went all the way into D.C. It was really nice and went through many beautiful areas with parks and nice wooded roads where we saw many other cyclists. I had no idea this all existed in D.C.! Finally, we made it to the holding area where we were treated to a great lunch by one of last year's riders who owns a restaurant in the area. We waited, eagerly anticipating the final ride into the Henry Bacon Ballfield, where we would finish. Unfortunately, I found out as we were waiting that my folks and Christine were stuck in traffic and wouldn't make it on time for the finish. Scott and Kathy will be there so at least someone will greet me. Finally, we were released in groups to go to the finish. What a feeling to finally finish such an awesome challenge. But not so fast! We got lost on the way and had to backtrack. How funny to get lost coming into the last two miles of the ride! As we were finally coming down the home stretch, Meg was singing patriotic songs at the top of her lungs. We made it to the finish line -- there were hundreds of people there and a photographer from the Washington Post took my picture. I got a little choked up as I entered the park. There was patriotic music playing and it was just overwhelming. I found Scott and Kathy in the crowd and was happy to finally be done. After that, there were speeches and hugging and photographs before everyone dispersed to get ready for the reception. I finally met my folks and Christine after almost everyone had left.

We went and got our luggage off the truck one last time and then we went over to the reception. At the reception, they showed a slide show which was great. I met my friend Mark and his wife there -- it was great to see them after many years. We ended the evening by going out to dinner with Doug and his wife, Mary and her husband, and Jeff and Karen. And then it was over. How strange to be done riding after all that. We went to Scott and Kathy's to prepare for the trip home to Texas.

This page modified November 25, 2000