Crosscountrycancer’s Weblog

OK, it has been two days since we updated you on the ride and I can feel the anxiety.  Excuse the absence, but we have been busy climbing.  Day Three was BRUTAL.  Beautiful weather, but it was nothing but up and down all day.  Joe will provide all the stats but I think we climbed 7700 feet Wednesday and 7000 today (Thursday). 

Wednesday night we camped at Rocky Gap which is east of Cumberland, MD.  Camping was fun.  The Killeens made a great camp fire that we enjoyed after dinner at the lodge.  Our neighbors we re quiet (for the most part) but did seem to shoulder a higher sin tax burden than the general population. 

I awoke this morning – actually I had to be awoken – to the thought that I was never going to make it to through another day of climbing and heat.  To my surprise, my legs felt great right out of the gate.  I thought Jack Tierney might be with me.

For those who don’t know Jack (no pun intended), Tierney brightened the days of courthouse employees for the last decade.  He worked as a deputy bond commissioner, researching records of those charged with crimes in order to make a recommendation on an appropriate bond.  Five years ago he was diagnosed with colon cancer.  He came to work everyday, even through chemo, with his bright and happy personality.   He gave no insight to the fight he carried on.  Jack was a real inspiration to me.  He lost his fight recently and I swear he was with me today.  “See, that hill’s not so bad,”  I could hear him whisper as I crested another two mile climb. 

Tomorrow we continue our descent to sea level.  We will ride to Annapolis and cross the Chesapeake Bay.   The group is great.  Everyone has riding well and is a pleasure to be with.  I’ll miss Joe when he departs tomorrow.  He has been a great roommate and riding companion.

Dave