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

Somerset

AUGUST 19, 2010 - DAY 15 - SOMERSET, PA

Today is a big day. First and foremost it is Angel's 40th birthday! It is also the day the 9/11 Ride begins and everyone arrives in Somerset.

After breakfast we grab a taxi to take us to the salon for our mani-pedi's, my gift to Angel as well as myself. Now I had made these appointments well in advance and put the info into my phone. Turns out when I rescheduled I deleted the correct salon and kept the wrong one, so that is where we show up. That isn't even the crazy part because it was quickly realized, at least by us. But the blonde bimbo receptionist, yep I said it, was not capable of connecting the dots. It was all we could do to not bust up laughing in astonishment after unsuccessfully trying to get her to understand.

So we head out and walk up the hill to the center of downtown, with it's brick buildings and old houses, to the correct salon. We love it. Although it is always great to just sit back, relax and be pampered, it also felt kind of strange. I think we have just gotten used to constantly being on the go. It was difficult, but we struggled through all the relaxing! Actually, I think we both could have easily fallen asleep in the chairs.

Once we are done we head back down the hill and into the H-D dealership to check on our oil changes. Seems I had some extra issues. Apparently my Y-Pipe was so badly cracked that I couldn't have returned home with it. So I pay for repairs. It was then brought to my attention that I really need a new front tire too. I chose to go to lunch instead. But when I got off the bike a block away I noticed not only did the front tire look rather balding but as I ran my hand across it I felt a flat spot. So as soon as lunch was complete I was outside and heading back to the H-D dealership for a new front tire. The guys in service at Highland H-D are friendly, helpful and just all around great. I cannot thank Craig and Nate enough for all they did!

This is also the day the Patriot Guard Riders (PGR) provide escorted rides to Shanksville and the United 93 Memorial crash site. We decide to get there before the crowds so we go out on our own. This is my third time to visit the crash site and each time the area for viewing has changed as they prepare to build a memorial. However, the American flag that stands in the ground where the plane hit the earth is unmoved.

I have also felt different emotions each time I visit. The first year was just a rush of emotions, especially as I listened to the Park Ranger describe the actual events pieced together from phone calls and the black box. Last year I felt as if I was riding into a heavy blanket as I neared the site, as though I could feel the souls of all those brave, innocent victims resting on my shoulders. And the weight was lifted as I rode away. This year my stomach began to twist and knot up as I arrived. I literally felt pain, while my heart felt as though it had slowed. This time the feeling didn't leave immediately as I finally rode away, but was gradual. However, by the time we returned to Somerset I was feeling better.

Our next adventure was trying to find Angel some O'Douls to drink tonight for her birthday. We visit the restaurants for a six-pack but they only have beer. Finally, we hit a liquor store and buy a case, since that's the only way they sell it. She only wants a couple of bottles but has decided the rest will be a donation to the hotel bar. It was quite a sight to see a case strapped to the luggage rack of a bike!

When we finally arrive back at the hotel the first group is lining up for their visit to the crash site. We put our things away and get ready to help with the changing of the flag behind the hotel. It is a very large flag pole that has been dedicated to the heroes of United Flight 93 by the people of Somerset, and the exceptionally large flag is now tattered. Angel and I do photo duty for the men chosen to lower, remove, replace and raise the flags. It is good to see the respect and care they take with the flags and I am glad to be there to watch this ceremony.

Then it was time to go out for Angel's birthday dinner. Everyone had raved about the Pine Grill. The food was fine but the service left quite a bit to be desired. Not what we were hoping for. But as we walked back to the hotel the bad service was forgotten when we tried to pick up the birthday cake. Seems Dairy Queen couldn't find it. There was a lot of confusion and it seemed like the night was continuing on a downhill trend, when suddenly the manager asked what type of cake it was. When Angel described it he said he had only one like that and it was a birthday cake but it did not have the name "Angel". Instead it said "Happy Birthday Broad". Seems one of the guys had it set up as a joke. We laughed the rest of the way to the hotel.

When we got there we headed to the bar where "T" the bartender helped out with the candles & the DJ so we could deliver Angel her cake with the entire bar singing to her. It was a fun night with everyone sending her birthday wishes and sharing in the cake.

But as full a day as it was, and as fun a night as it was becoming, we all had to turn in at a decent time. No turning into pumpkins for the two of us! Tomorrow morning comes early as we need to be lined up at the Harley shop by 7 a.m.