Yesterday, Pat and I got on our bikes at our Williamsburg motel and began the final 15 miles of our journey to Yorktown, Virginia. We once again had the support of Rod and Sal. This time Pat's dad and Sal's and my good friend Roy Hunnert were in the van. Pat's dad had driven all the way from Tennessee to see him finish his trip. Roy drove down from Washington D.C. to be with us.
The ride along the Colonial Parkway offered a lot of mixed feelings. I remembered this stretch from 32 years ago. Two local riders had joined me and escorted me to the Yorktown Monument where my parents were waiting for my arrival. This time Pat and I were escorted by friends and loved ones. We were both relieved and a bit sad.
As we rode along I kept waving my empty water bottle at the van but on this day they refused to give out any water or snacks for final few miles.
With about two miles to go we waved the van on to the monument where we were to finish. And once again we all got lost at the finish. Pat and I arrived at the monument and then had to call the van to direct them to where we were. But it was only fitting. We had lost each other so many times on the trip it wouldn't have been right to finish together.
We took a lot of pictures at the monument. The monument is to the surrender of Lord Cornwallis' army to the combined American/French force that led to the American victory in the Revolutionary war.
From the monument Pat and I rolled down to the water for the final celebration. The celebration included dipping our front wheels into the Atlantic and sharing a bottle of Champagne with all present.
Back to the motel for a shower, a hearty breakfast at Cracker Barrel, some hugs and handshakes and a long drive home.
This trip would not have been possible without the support of Rod and Sal. Their unrelenting support and good cheer enabled the two "Prima Dona" riders to do their thing. The following list of our complaints was compiled by Rod and Sal.
The final three items were their frequent response.
- The clock didn't work(when someone sleeps in)
- Didn't hear the alarm
- Heard the alarm but went back to bed
- Can't ride 'til the fog clears
- Can't ride through a sandstorm
- Forgot my riding gloves
- The mirror fell off(my helmet mirror)
- Can't ride today, my legs hurt
- Lost a spoke
- My tires low
- The van needs straightening up
- Support team is too far ahead
- Chocolate milk not chocolately enough
- Breakfast not good enough-no waffles
- Can't ride-tired
- I can't eat another Fig Newton
- Waters not cold enough
- Our support team not supportive enough
- Too cold
- Too hot
- Too humid
- Too wet
- Too dry
- Wrong jacket, I wanted the lighter yellow jacket
- Can't find it-its back in the luggage
- Phone call from Pat and Don,”Where are you guys, we're 133 Second Street”
- Plug it into the Garmin
- Wet wipes? Paper towel? Pass up my glasses(Don)
- My back hurts(Pat)
- I've got a cramp(both)
- Haven't got it today
- We've got dog problems
- Up, down, up, down, I hate this
- The levee was too flat
- From the van...”Suck it up Nancy”
- From the van,”You're not going to die, keep pedaling”
- From the van, “Put your big girl Panties on”