Thursday, August 26, 2010

Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia ~ The 9/11 Ride







AUGUST 20, 2010 - DAY 16 - SOMERSET, PA TO ARLINGTON, VA

So far on our trip between the daily medication and my cruise control the pain in my hands has been under control and not too bothersome. But I know that is about to change. In large group rides you cannot use the cruise control, and there is a lot of clutching and braking. These are the little things that cause me extreme pain, and why you generally won't see me riding around town. But this is also the time when I will use my discomfort as a reminder of all that the innocent victims of 9/11 had to suffer and remember that I can tolerate anything for such a short time after all that was sacrificed in the name of duty by so many.

The mornings of this ride are early and the nights usually late. Today is no exception. We tried to be organized and ready the night before but somehow this morning did not go as smoothly as planned. But we eventually got our act together and rode over to the Harley shop and lined up. There was even free breakfast. Well, that's what I called the cup of coffee and it seemed good enough at the time.

All of the bikes line up in rows behind Highland H-D in preparation to take off. It is well organized and all the people are milling about, getting to know the people they are now parked beside or saying good morning to those they already know. It is blue skies and sunshine and warm so early that we all know it's going to be a hot one. As difficult as the heat can be I will take it over last year's pouring rain.

Once all the announcements are made there is a prayer for the safety of the ride and in remembrance of all those who lost their lives on 9/11/01, especially all of the emergency service personnel and the people of United 93. Then it is kick stands up.

We first ride out past the site of the United 93 crash before passing through the Pennsylvania countryside and on into Cumberland, Maryland for our first break. There are gentle, green rolling hills, with people outside their homes, their farms and their businesses to cheer us, to thank us, and mostly to support us as we ride to remember. These people come out to wave, give us a thumbs up, or hold up flags and they tear at our heartstrings, give us the chills, and re-confirm our faith in America and it's patriotic people.

In my three years to do this ride I have yet to ever find the words to truly express what you see as you ride or how it makes you feel. I can only suggest you experience it. There is nothing else like it and you will be changed.

As we are beginning to enter Cumberland, and just before the first gas station, stands a man on the side of the road. He looks as though he could possibly be a WWII veteran. He looks determined, proud and stands alone waving a flag to honor all of us as we ride by. My gut instinct is to pull my bike over immediately, jump off and give him a great big hug. I ride past with tears in my eyes.

It seems as if the entire town of Cumberland is outside as we ride through. And as usual, there are the guys with the red, white and blue body paint who are the most animated and loudest as we pass by, giving out hi-fives.

As we approach Allegheny College the song "God Bless the USA" begins to play in my ear, and I can see the people lining the drive for us with their American flags. Most are military organizations, including the Marines from the VFW. I get the chills.

After we park it is nice to see everyone walking through the crowd of bikes and all the Veteran's meeting and greeting one another. There are also outhouses and bottles of water available for us, but not together. Although eventually one does lead to the other.

The stop is brief but a welcome relief and then we saddle back up and head out. Once again the ingress and egress is well organized. None of this could ever be accomplished without the long hours put in by all the members of the America's 9/11 Foundation. I am always amazed to realize just how much work goes into such a huge event, and how dedicated all these people are.

It is getting hot out but the countryside is beautiful and we are enjoying the ride. While I listen to my music I like to sing out loud and "dance" on the bike. Angel will occasionally stick out her hand as though holding a mic for me. We ride side by side down the road chatting, laughing and having fun.

By the time we reach Hagarstown, Marlyland for lunch we are burned out from the heat and water is at the top of our to do list after gassing up the bikes. Though we haven't eaten we can't even finish our lunch because of the heat, but we do eat something. As we get ready to head out again I am feeling light headed and have to sit down. When I realize that isn't solving anything I head over to the buckets of drinks. There I reach in and scoop out some ice and water and begin dousing myself with it to bring down my body heat. It helps immediately and between that and the three bottles of cold water I drink I am road ready once again.

We are now riding near the front of the pack rather than the back where we had been. This is because we are part of a group that will tour the Pentagon as soon as we arrive in Arlington.

One of our favorite portions of this day is when we ride through Leesburg, Virginia. The firetruck has the ladders up and flag draped over the roadway when we first begin to enter town. This is the hometown of Ted and Lisa, the founders of the organization and this ride, and the way the community welcomes us it is obvious that all the people here are amazing. They are outside waving flags, cheering, lining the streets along the homes and businesses, and you feel genuine excitement and pride emanating from them as you pass by.

As we approach Arlington we pass by the Army base of Ft. Meyers, the USMC Iwo Jima memorial, and the Arlington National Cemetery, and then look out to our left and see Washington, D.C. at the same time. It amazes me every time to be surrounded by such important fixtures of our country.

As everyone else heads to the hotel, showers and food we head to the Pentagon. I took the tour back in 2007 but Angel never had. I found the tour hadn't really changed but was glad to be there again. But by the time we are done and we gas up, we are more than beat. We get checked in and take turns with the shower, feeling human once again. We are too tired to leave for dinner so we grab food downstairs at the available BBQ set up specifically for our group.

We have the pleasure of enjoying the company of new friends. It is always so great to meet new people, especially people who share the love of riding, many who share job experiences, and mostly people who share the deep desire to honor the memory of those lost on 9/11.

As the night slows down we also get to be entertained by country singer Mark Wills. It was great and he spent time meeting those of us who approached him. Then everyone headed upstairs to the bar for more socializing before turning in to get ready for the early morning.

Tomorrow we begin at the Pentagon and end in Manhattan. It's another big day.

Today's stats: 218 miles and 9 hours

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