I woke Friday morning in a lot pain. My newly acquired road rash I was sporting was not exactly the new summer wear everyone would be seeking this summer. My bike was in worse condition and would require the attention of a good bike mechanic before she would be road worthy.
Again the riders were divided into two groups. Mark was feeling a little under the weather with a stomach bug so he and I sagged in the truck- Tree and Aaron also were feeling poorly too and joined us as well. Cheryl was the only one to ride the entire ride from Texas today. She is an amazing and very strong women!
The terrain was difficult again with long steep hills. The riders again gained 3000 feet before lunch. The rolling hills and farm land was nothing short of amazing. The dairy cows and horses looking over the fences at the site of us in spandex racing by.
We stopped and had lunch in a small community that had the coolest tourist attractions. Across the street from the EMS/fire station was a zoo. It was kinda startling to be eating a sandwich and hear the screech of a monkey. Along with the zoo was a Dinosaur park and a replica of Stonehenge called Foamhenge. I was able to talk the group of riders to pose for a picture with Foamhenge in the background.
At lunch Mark worked on my bike. He had to change out the back wheel - one spoke was bent and anther was completely broken. The front right gear/break level was broken, the rear derail er was bent. All this was minded to the best that could be at he side of a back country Virginia road. I hopped on and did a little test ride. I don’t know what looked more pathetic my bike or me riding it with my hand in a cast and my arm bandaged up.
Though my bike was ride able I was still not in the best of condition. The road rash was oozing fluids and the bruising was beginning to develop over my entire body. The vicodine the doctor gave me was only taking the edge off the pain. I elected not to ride after lunch however Mark, Tree and Aaron joined the rest of the riders.
The town just outside Roanoke the group from Kentucky joined us. They had 7 riders. The last 10 miles of the last day all the riders rode together into Roanoke. We also gain about 2 dozen riders from in and around Roanoke. Just before we rode into Roanoke I got onto my bike so I could take part in the ceremonially ride into town.
I was not going to go all the way to NYC and start a 600 mile bike and not ride the last 5 miles of the ride.
The sidewalks of Roanoke were lined with people clapping and waving signs. I weaved past the newly added cyclist to catch up with our group of riders - my new best friends. Some of the most amazing people - I wanted to share this moment with them. Finally I caught up with my team mates and completed the ride with Tree. As we turned into the long driveway that lead to the hotel the crowds grew. We were greeted at the entrance of the hotel by EMTs/Paramedics from all over the country! There were family members of the people we were riding for- The Hanson's, there were Roanoke citizens, and tv and newspaper cameras.
We rode around the circle entrance of the hotel twice before getting off our bikes. We embraced one anther, tears flowed from our eyes and champagne was sprayed on us by the crowds. The emotions were an extreme mixture of sadness for our departed colleagues, happiness for what we had just accomplish, sadness b/c we wouldn’t be ridin' with the guys from Maine or the students from Minnesota or the guys from Georgia, or the guys from NYC. Our bodies hurt more than you could ever imagine just hours before now all the pain was temporally gone.
Six days ago getting my bike out of Mark’s truck at Jacob’s Hospital in NYC to get ready to begin this journey I never imagined how I would feel at this moment. Words can never explain the emotions we went through, the sights we saw and the nicest people we had met over the last 6 days.
I am thankful for all the people who have made this trip possible. I am truly blessed. My friends and family, the department, my colleagues and most of my teammates.
Showing posts with label Susan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Susan. Show all posts
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Day 5. We are so close but So Far Away!
This will be a short entry tonight…..as you can guess from the picture of the road rash was me. The front wheel of my bike got caught in the rail causing me to take a little spill. The right side of my body has some nice road rash and chipped a bone in my finger.
Prior to the fall the day started out great. We began much earlier today. We were in the rolling hills of the Shanadauha (sp I'm too tired to look it up)valley. The hills were not as bad as the past few days but after 4 days of riding my legs were spent - done. Each peddle stroke took all the energy I had.
The group got inspiration from a group of paramedic students from Minnesota. They took off ahead of the group and painted the route with words of encouragement. They also wrote the names of EMTs and Paramedics who we were riding for- when I passed Eric’s name all the emotions seemed to over take me. I returned back down the hill and joined Aaron and Dave Page from Minnesota. Dave took our picture next to Eric’s name. We took a few minutes to regain our composure climbed back on our bikes and hammered out the next 15 or so miles to our lunch spot. This simple gesture by the Minnesota students was very thoughtful - and will be something I will always carry with me.
When we arrive at the designated lunch spot I was physically and emotionally drained. My quads & hamstrings were killing me, 4 ½ days in the saddle were beginning to take its toll - I didn’t think I could go another mile much less the next 30 or so miles to the hotel. But for whatever reason I rode off with the group.
We were in a small college town of Hendersonberg. On the outskirts of the town I laid my bike down- this ended my day of riding and produced my 22nd broken bone and lots of road rash. The bike is in pretty bad shape but Mark seems to think he can fix it enough for me to ride tomorrow, though I don’t think I can ride the full 90 miles tomorrow I will ride the last few miles into Roanoke!
Prior to the fall the day started out great. We began much earlier today. We were in the rolling hills of the Shanadauha (sp I'm too tired to look it up)valley. The hills were not as bad as the past few days but after 4 days of riding my legs were spent - done. Each peddle stroke took all the energy I had.
The group got inspiration from a group of paramedic students from Minnesota. They took off ahead of the group and painted the route with words of encouragement. They also wrote the names of EMTs and Paramedics who we were riding for- when I passed Eric’s name all the emotions seemed to over take me. I returned back down the hill and joined Aaron and Dave Page from Minnesota. Dave took our picture next to Eric’s name. We took a few minutes to regain our composure climbed back on our bikes and hammered out the next 15 or so miles to our lunch spot. This simple gesture by the Minnesota students was very thoughtful - and will be something I will always carry with me.
When we arrive at the designated lunch spot I was physically and emotionally drained. My quads & hamstrings were killing me, 4 ½ days in the saddle were beginning to take its toll - I didn’t think I could go another mile much less the next 30 or so miles to the hotel. But for whatever reason I rode off with the group.
We were in a small college town of Hendersonberg. On the outskirts of the town I laid my bike down- this ended my day of riding and produced my 22nd broken bone and lots of road rash. The bike is in pretty bad shape but Mark seems to think he can fix it enough for me to ride tomorrow, though I don’t think I can ride the full 90 miles tomorrow I will ride the last few miles into Roanoke!
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
day 3........the day I met some hills
I awoke still a little sore from the day before. AND very hungry! We loaded up the bikes in the trucks and moved to the outskirts of Philly were we picked up another police escorts who got us thru the suburbs of Philly. For our breakfast we had Dunkin Doughnuts. Not my way of proper fuel to begin a 108 mile bike ride - but the rest of the groups seemed happy....when the bananas and yogurt were brought out this was a nice addition.
Our first rest stop about 20 miles out provided by Newcastle EMS. We were greeted with cold water and fruit and power bars! After a rest and a snack we headed out.
The ride was much tougher than every ones expectations. We began the hills. I love the hills. Going up. Climbing and climbing and still climbing. The down hill is always fast and when you get to the bottom you want to do it all over again.
We left Pennsylvania, rode into Delaware were we had lunch on the banks of the Sassaquana (sp?) river. Another beautiful spot to have lunch. We took a long lunch and got back to ridden.
Right off the bat we hit some gnarly hills. Very steep and very long. We lost a few riders. This killed our legs going from cold to hitting the hills. Finally we hit a flat area that took us along the bank of the river. The road was lined on both sides by giant trees. The shade from the trees protected us from the afternoon sun. We rode single file at a nice steady pace. AND then once we crossed the river and into Maryland we hit the hills again. But this time they were even steeper and longer. We went up the biggest hill I have ever rode on a bike- and the downhill I hit 46 mph! That is fast on a bike! This was grueling! I loved every minute of it. At the top of one of the steep hills we had a rest stop at Cliffs Cut Rate Liquor Store.
When we got to the top we all got off our bikes and rested in the shade. I think some people took advantage of the rest stop and made a purchase for later in the night.
We spent too long at the rest stop. I felt great when I got to the rest stop but they kept us at the rest stop for about an hour. My legs were cold and stiff. When we left the rest stop the hills did not stop. One right after another. My legs were so stiff and sore I could not manage the pace and was forced to sag out by the event organizers. At first this killed me emotionally. But after I cooled off in the AC and drank some water and stretched my sore legs I was glad I did....because we still had another 3 days of riding.
Again dinner was provided to us......by the local EMS. Tonight's dinner was provided by Westminster. We dined on hamburgers and hotdogs, potato salad and coleslaw, chips and pickles. Nice change from the pasta. I was so very tired and hungry by the time we made it to the Westminster EMS/Fire station. The food was great. I know we all appreciated the hospitality.
We finally made it back to the hotel at about 9 in the evening. The guys unloaded the truck and Tree and I did the laundry - how 2 strong independent women let the guys do all the lifting and moving and we did the laundry I don't know but it seemed like a good deal to us. I was just about the most tired and sore I had ever been. The team had to hold me up. They let me get a shower first. And Cheryl's kids provided the cold beer thank you Sy and Kim! Tree sent me to bed and took care of the laundry - now that is a true friend - washing all of our dirty bike shorts, shirts and socks! Thank you Tree.
I crawled into bed and fell asleep watching Jon Stewart.
Our first rest stop about 20 miles out provided by Newcastle EMS. We were greeted with cold water and fruit and power bars! After a rest and a snack we headed out.
The ride was much tougher than every ones expectations. We began the hills. I love the hills. Going up. Climbing and climbing and still climbing. The down hill is always fast and when you get to the bottom you want to do it all over again.
We left Pennsylvania, rode into Delaware were we had lunch on the banks of the Sassaquana (sp?) river. Another beautiful spot to have lunch. We took a long lunch and got back to ridden.
Right off the bat we hit some gnarly hills. Very steep and very long. We lost a few riders. This killed our legs going from cold to hitting the hills. Finally we hit a flat area that took us along the bank of the river. The road was lined on both sides by giant trees. The shade from the trees protected us from the afternoon sun. We rode single file at a nice steady pace. AND then once we crossed the river and into Maryland we hit the hills again. But this time they were even steeper and longer. We went up the biggest hill I have ever rode on a bike- and the downhill I hit 46 mph! That is fast on a bike! This was grueling! I loved every minute of it. At the top of one of the steep hills we had a rest stop at Cliffs Cut Rate Liquor Store.
When we got to the top we all got off our bikes and rested in the shade. I think some people took advantage of the rest stop and made a purchase for later in the night.
We spent too long at the rest stop. I felt great when I got to the rest stop but they kept us at the rest stop for about an hour. My legs were cold and stiff. When we left the rest stop the hills did not stop. One right after another. My legs were so stiff and sore I could not manage the pace and was forced to sag out by the event organizers. At first this killed me emotionally. But after I cooled off in the AC and drank some water and stretched my sore legs I was glad I did....because we still had another 3 days of riding.
Again dinner was provided to us......by the local EMS. Tonight's dinner was provided by Westminster. We dined on hamburgers and hotdogs, potato salad and coleslaw, chips and pickles. Nice change from the pasta. I was so very tired and hungry by the time we made it to the Westminster EMS/Fire station. The food was great. I know we all appreciated the hospitality.
We finally made it back to the hotel at about 9 in the evening. The guys unloaded the truck and Tree and I did the laundry - how 2 strong independent women let the guys do all the lifting and moving and we did the laundry I don't know but it seemed like a good deal to us. I was just about the most tired and sore I had ever been. The team had to hold me up. They let me get a shower first. And Cheryl's kids provided the cold beer thank you Sy and Kim! Tree sent me to bed and took care of the laundry - now that is a true friend - washing all of our dirty bike shorts, shirts and socks! Thank you Tree.
I crawled into bed and fell asleep watching Jon Stewart.
Day 2........look out Philly here we come
With proper planning the night before we slept in till 8am for day two. We were instructed to be ready to roll out at 9 am. As we made our way out of the hotel and out into the parking lot everyone appeared well rested and was excited about the ride that would take us into Philadelphia.
We left Princeton, NJ into two groups. The first group was going to be the fast group of riders. The riders who could not be kept up with the pack would have to be picked up by the sag wagon and would not get to ride until the group meet up for lunch. The second group would go at it a little slower. Seeing on how we still had about 540 miles to go and we our legs were cold I elected to ride with the slower riders.
Once we got out town the ride was on small two-lane back country roads lined with large trees. These scenery of the rolling hills of Pennsylvania was beautiful. The large estates built in the 1800s gave away to farm houses. We still got the same looks from people as we rode into small Pennsylvania towns- looks of amazement of seeing ambulances followed by cyclist followed by more ambulances.
The ride organizers were very particular about how we rode. Single fill. No exceptions. Not too fast. And not to slow. This proved problematic for most of us who were used to riding in groups. This kept you from talking to anyone. Or passing. Or moving out of the way of a slower riders. And so of course I did not make their happy list of people. I should of elected to ride in the fast paced group. Lets just say I was glad I had my ipod today to get me through the 30 miles we did at an 11 mile and hour pace. If it weren’t for the gorgeous scenery and the tunes coming from my ipod I am sure I would have elected to ride in the sag.
Both groups meet at Washington Park on the Delaware. We dined like Kings and Queens on PP&G and sliced deli meat. After eating and resting up - the water bottles were filled up and we were off for the second part of the day.
This time we were kept in a single group. Some of the slower rides called it done for the day and loaded their bikes into the sag wagon. The first part of the ride was perfect riding weather - the temperature was about 60 degrees and warming slowly. The sun was out and the wind was none. After lunch the temperate began to climb into the mid 70’s and with this the wind began to pick up.
We were finally rode as a pack of riders - with a nice steady speed - and able to ride 2 x 2 - the ipod came off and I was able to strike up conversation with the other riders. The guy from the morning half of the ride who was so insistent about riding in single fill because of “safety” reasons was now at the front of the pack showing off by weaving his bike back-n-forth.
When we came into Philly we had another PD escort. The PD officer who was our escort/pace car was the best. He kept the group of 47 riders together - the pace was not too fast but not to slow. We went through some rough looking neighborhoods but we got many waves with all the fingers and many positive honks of horns in support of the ride.
About 5-8 miles from the hotel my cleat broke! I had to sag out the rest of the ride :( . Thank God we had a bike mechanic Ted (who is also the medical director from Maine) was able to fix my cleat! THANK YOU TED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dinner was provided by Collingwood Fire/EMS. We were welcomed us into their station for dinner. The station was none like I had ever scene. They had a Hall kinda like a VFW hall - there was a bar - yes a bar - they handed us a beer! :) Nice and cold after a long day on a bike. Dinner was a combination of philly steak sandwiches and pasta. And a dessert table as big as the dinner buffet!
The dinner was again outstanding their hospitality was wonderful. THANK YOU COLLINGWOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When we got back to the hotel a group of folks headed to the world famous Geno's for an originally Philly cheese steak sandwich. I was spent - but now after I had rested and let my first dinner digest I wish I had gone with them. I will have to remember this side trip for next year.
We left Princeton, NJ into two groups. The first group was going to be the fast group of riders. The riders who could not be kept up with the pack would have to be picked up by the sag wagon and would not get to ride until the group meet up for lunch. The second group would go at it a little slower. Seeing on how we still had about 540 miles to go and we our legs were cold I elected to ride with the slower riders.
Once we got out town the ride was on small two-lane back country roads lined with large trees. These scenery of the rolling hills of Pennsylvania was beautiful. The large estates built in the 1800s gave away to farm houses. We still got the same looks from people as we rode into small Pennsylvania towns- looks of amazement of seeing ambulances followed by cyclist followed by more ambulances.
The ride organizers were very particular about how we rode. Single fill. No exceptions. Not too fast. And not to slow. This proved problematic for most of us who were used to riding in groups. This kept you from talking to anyone. Or passing. Or moving out of the way of a slower riders. And so of course I did not make their happy list of people. I should of elected to ride in the fast paced group. Lets just say I was glad I had my ipod today to get me through the 30 miles we did at an 11 mile and hour pace. If it weren’t for the gorgeous scenery and the tunes coming from my ipod I am sure I would have elected to ride in the sag.
Both groups meet at Washington Park on the Delaware. We dined like Kings and Queens on PP&G and sliced deli meat. After eating and resting up - the water bottles were filled up and we were off for the second part of the day.
This time we were kept in a single group. Some of the slower rides called it done for the day and loaded their bikes into the sag wagon. The first part of the ride was perfect riding weather - the temperature was about 60 degrees and warming slowly. The sun was out and the wind was none. After lunch the temperate began to climb into the mid 70’s and with this the wind began to pick up.
We were finally rode as a pack of riders - with a nice steady speed - and able to ride 2 x 2 - the ipod came off and I was able to strike up conversation with the other riders. The guy from the morning half of the ride who was so insistent about riding in single fill because of “safety” reasons was now at the front of the pack showing off by weaving his bike back-n-forth.
When we came into Philly we had another PD escort. The PD officer who was our escort/pace car was the best. He kept the group of 47 riders together - the pace was not too fast but not to slow. We went through some rough looking neighborhoods but we got many waves with all the fingers and many positive honks of horns in support of the ride.
About 5-8 miles from the hotel my cleat broke! I had to sag out the rest of the ride :( . Thank God we had a bike mechanic Ted (who is also the medical director from Maine) was able to fix my cleat! THANK YOU TED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dinner was provided by Collingwood Fire/EMS. We were welcomed us into their station for dinner. The station was none like I had ever scene. They had a Hall kinda like a VFW hall - there was a bar - yes a bar - they handed us a beer! :) Nice and cold after a long day on a bike. Dinner was a combination of philly steak sandwiches and pasta. And a dessert table as big as the dinner buffet!
The dinner was again outstanding their hospitality was wonderful. THANK YOU COLLINGWOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When we got back to the hotel a group of folks headed to the world famous Geno's for an originally Philly cheese steak sandwich. I was spent - but now after I had rested and let my first dinner digest I wish I had gone with them. I will have to remember this side trip for next year.
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