The morning after

Molly, Cookie, Dave (cookies husband), Rick, Cam, mike, Reesh, Liz, Liz's parents and I all went for breakfast at the diner.  I was good and had steel cut oats and fresh berries since I am not sure when I'll be riding again.  It was an emotional good bye for many.  Now we'll see how we all keep in touch.  Reesh, Gene, and I packed up blue thunder and got on the road headed to St Louis shortly after 11.  Currently in Ohio after stopping for dinner at a Japanese steak house.  Thank you all for following my blog and all the support!  This experience has been amazing!!!

Day 48: 8/4/12

Happy birthday dad! Final day of the big ride.  A short bittersweet 40 mile ride.  The first stop was at a Starbucks, which made Sarah happy.  A stretch after that stop was on an extremely busy bike path.  I rode with the turtles again.  We stopped to take pictures at the Washington monument when we got into DC.  We then went over to the old post office for a lunch hosted by another alumni at his Greek restaurant.  I also had to get my late night snack Ben and Jerry's.  Just before noon we lined up to ride to the finish in pairs.  As we prepared to leave, Todd got a flat.  He was at the end of the line so they had enough time to change it.  I rode with Sarah.  We rode to freedom plaza where Lynn and Charleton gave us our medals.  After some pictures, I joined three other riders for an XM radio interview.  I rode over to the state plaza hotel to check in and take a nap.  A group of us had dinner reservations at Paolos in Georgetown. Sarah, Gene, and I arrived early enough for me to find an amazing pair of purple heels from nine west.  After dinner the kids met a couple other riders and went dining and dancing at third edition.  We ended the night in a hotel room watching the Olympics.  In bed around midnight, and surprised I lasted that long.

Day 47: 8/3/12

Today was a 62 mile day from Gettysburg PA to Poolesville MD.  There was fog in the morning covering the battlefields.  I was riding with the turtles today.  It was a hilly day.  We stopped for ice cream.  I had to go to the fire dept to use the bathroom.  Then we stopped again for lunch #2 at bassetts.  When we got to camp we got our stuff and headed to the local pool.  We swam until we had to meet for our rider only social at bassetts from 4-6.  Laura Sanford was in town for it, and it was really nice.  It would really be one of our last moments together as a whole group.  I think some people are starting to realize it is coming to an end :(

Day 46: 8/2/12

Rest day in Gettysburg.  Went to breakfast at cafe St amand and had two meals because I could not decide between sweet or savory.  My sweet was an amazing nutella and banana crepe.  Then I found some vitamin E for my cuts.  Next door was a tanning bed, so why not try to even out a little before going home.  It was great.  They provide lotion and goggles, and they even let me tan for free.  Back at camp, I cleaned my bike and cut Lynn's hair.   Then it was time for my pedicure and massage appointments :)  I was feeling good so I decided to get pretty.  I straightened my hair and put on make up for dinner at the blue parrot.  Got some ice cream on the way home, then off to bed.

Day 45: 8/1/12

Today was 102 miles from Bedford to Gettysburg.  It is day 6 of straight riding and it is filled with hills.  I was nervous about today because I had heard it was the hardest day of the ride.  Reesh and I decided to ride together today at a slower pace.  By the end of the day, it didn't really matter how slow I rode.  My bee sting in my toe from the previous day was swollen and painful.  I also kept forgetting to put chamois butter on.  There were some pluses to today though.  Tony, a 2008 alumni, and his son hosted lunch for us.  He grilled me a burger in the state park.  They also had make your own sundaes for us in Gettysburg with fresh peaches and mangos.  Thanks to them!  Also a big thanks to Rob's Family for the buffs.  I love it!  After getting to camp I quickly fell asleep.  It was very hard to get up for dinner, but Gene dragged me to the Appalachian brewery.  After dinner I went right back to bed.  Today was rough!