We woke to sunny skies,low humidity and got on the road earlier than any other day.  The traffic was busy as it seemed like all of America was heading to Rehoboth Beach.  We stopped for a hot lunch (air temp., not food) at the side of the road outside of the Ellendale VFD.   We met Mr. Booth who was walking in the heat campaigning for Delaware State Senate.  A few minutes into our al fresco meal the EMS Squad rolled up and asked if we wanted to come inside to escape the heat.  These folks were overly hospitable.  We had a nice time with the folks from EVFD.  They offered us subs, Krispy Kreme Donuts and a chance to drive the 1950 vintage fire truck.  While Gene and I took turns blowing the horn on the truck, Jim had a great time sliding down the brass pole.  Who knew that spandex and brass worked so well together?  After the frivolity subsided we took a nice picture for the local Chronicle and headed off for the last 30 miles to the beach.

We were greeted by Gene’s family and a huge cheering section.  It was really fun to celebrate the culmination of six days (and for some, five years) of work.  One stranger approached us on the beach.  He had recognized our jerseys as he had passed on the road to Rehoboth.  We told him about the cause and he asked for the website so he could make a donation.  This country is well populated with good people.

Many bottles of Dogfish Ale and a great steak dinner followed capping off a great day.  Jim, Deanna and I left Gene with his family at the condo in Rehoboth.  We spent the evening down the road in Bethany Beach and drove home this morning (Sunday).  It’s good to be home with family.  They sacrificed in helping me reach my goal.  I must confess to missing quite a few softball games and lacrosse practices while out training for this ride.   That’s time you can’t get back, but I do think that teaching your kids to view life as an adventure will pay off for them in the long run.  I also hope we raised a few bucks for the Center for Survivors of Childhood Cancer at Rainbow.  Hopefully, some of those childrens’ lives will be a little easier as a result of those extra funds.

Dave

We spent last night at a Holiday Inn Express, but I don’t feel any smarter – but it is early.   Very early,  like sunrise early.  My roommate wasn’t kidding when he admitted to a "slight" snoring issue. 

As Gene explained, last night was a blast and probably was the start of our celebration.  Harris’ all you can eat buffet (they bring it to you) was right on the mark.  Trays of crabs are delivered to your table along with shrimp and corn on the cob.   It’s messy fun getting the crab meat out.   James W. Morris, III of Richmond Virginia bought us a round of drinks after making the table scream with laughter.  This guy would have made good use of a role in My Cousin Vinny.  Southern lawyer.  Layed it on thick and thickerer.  Could have charmed the pants off a nun.

The roads in MD were very smooth and had a nice berm most of the time.  The only time we have had trouble with drivers was on Day 2.  Let’s hope today brings more of the safe.  We should hit some weekend beach traffic so we plan an early departure.  First we need to fuel up with our blueberry pie.  The tour has a saying, "pie for strength."

Pie just showed up and the natives are hungry.  I need to check out before my share disappears.

Dave

We left the mountains behind on Friday.  Thank God.  We’re quickly dropping to sea level heading for the Atlantic.  After enjoying the wonderful hospitality of Jennifer,  Peter, Eleanor, Milo and Delila in Frederick  Thursday evening, we bid goodbye to our intrepid comrade and trainer Joe, who we miss already.  Jim’s brother-in-law Peter joined us for the ride to Annapolis and we had a great day.  About 72 miles, overcast, relatively flat.  Made great time.  Peter rode for more distance than he has ever ridden and did a great job.  We loved riding with him.  Got to Grasonville  and got rooms overlooking the Chesapeake Bay.   Wonderful views.  Went to Harris’ for all you can eat crabs.  Wow.  This is Maryland dining at its best.  Piles of refuse on the table and lots of laughing.  Mr. Grove was engaged in some serious vindictive eating – he was going to drive down their profit margin if it was the last thing he did.  Met a lawyer from Richmond, James W. Morris, III, who lives up to that moniker.  Funny guy – asked Dave what it felt like to have no friends.  We almost wet our pants laughing.    On to the sea.  Bring it on. 

-No Towel

The peleton is ready to roll.  Gotstago!

Dave

But the goal I set out to cross the mountains with my comrades is complete now, and sadly I will see them ride off into the east to complete the remainder of this journey.  It was a great journey; one I will never forget, and one that will never make me look at the hills in the CVNP the same again.  Trust me, they are nothing compared to what we just went through the past two days!

I want to thank Jim and Deanna specifically – both of you did so much for this team, and in particular when I felt like cracking on day 3, you gave me the oportunity to recover and regain my form.  You are both very special people and I will always remember that about you.

Best of luck to the team as they continue on for two more days.  Be safe, be smart, and have a blast!

-=jes=-

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

The good parts about today were the weather, the Sag support and meeting the wonderful proprietors of a small grocery store – and the local police chief.    The bad:  the drivers and the traffic on designated bike routes. 

Obama got it wrong when he stated during the campaign that people in Pennsylvania cling to God and guns.  They don’t.  They cling to the curb!  I’ve never experienced the number of close calls as I did today.   A cig in the left hand and a Terrible Towel in the right and I almost had Unum paying for the kids’ college education.

We only had 16 miles on the books by 11:30 as a result of a leisurely start and mechanical difficulties.  Our IT guy was run off the road by a “little old lady” wearing a Roethlesberger jersey and slit his tire.  We patiently waited an hour for him to resolve his issue only to have him ditch us on the back thirty.  Yes, I’ve read his post about attorneys and jurists enjoying idle chatter at the top of hills.  It’s called smelling the roses, Techie!

Joe did climb like a man possessed today.  I would have kept up with him but I was too busy having words with a dump truck driver who tried to make my wife into a single parent.  Yup, the PNC banking meatball parked his truck in the middle of the highway to confront me after I caught him at the next light.  He politely explained to me how he never slept with his mother.   Apparently, he thought (assuming he was capable of advanced intellectual functioning) that I called him something that sounded similar to “brother trucker.”   He got back in the truck after I pointed out that his employer’s name was on his t-shirt.

Today was pretty frustrating.  The scenery was beautiful but we spent most of the day bracing for impact with every passing car.  Hopefully, an earlier start tomorrow will avoid the same problem.  Tomorrow looks to be over 90 miles with most of the tough parts in the first 40, the opposite of today’s pattern.

Camping tomorrow night.  Chance of rain.  Go Tribe.

Dave

The Gang of Five departing Monaca, PA on Tuesday morning.

No rest for the wicked or weary today.  Six flats between three of us, 15 miles of limestone trail, and 4800 feet of climbing .  84 miles, all in the heat of the day.  I don’t think I ever drank so much water!  Here’s the stats: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/8799481

Calling Caroline, Sophia, and Emma during our noon break gave me the strength to continue on after a miserable start (4 of those 6 flats were mine!); thanks girls, you are my source of encouragement.

Two random thoughts crossed my mind as we biked today:

1. Going down some of these beautiful, loooong, decents at 45+ MPH with trucks cruising within a foot of your left shoulder makes me cognizant of the need to get some better and up-to-date estate planning in place!  For the record, Caroline gets everything!
2. Bicycling today revealed the difference between white and blue collar riders.  Attorneys and jurists seem to like to talk a lot, taking frequent breaks to discuss topics the last hill, the one coming up, or why Obama can’t regulate the temperature.   An engineer just wants to know the job to be done and given the room to do his work!    I just wanted to ride, get out of the heat and traffic, and get this job done before I cramped up!  It’s a funny difference to see in action on the bike!  But these are great guys on and off the bike, and Deanna has been a blessing with the SAG, and is one dang good rider to boot too!

Tomorrow we head into the mouth of the beast, with a lot of stiff climbing down to Cumberland.

-=jes=-

Jim & Deanna Grove starting off at the Montour Trail

-No Towel