Home.
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.

1. The clock didn't work(when someone sleeps in)
   
2. Didn't hear the alarm
   
3. Heard the alarm but went back to bed
   
4. Can't ride 'til the fog clears
   
5. Can't ride through a sandstorm
   
6. Forgot my riding gloves
   
7. The mirror fell off(my helmet mirror)
   
8. Can't ride today, my legs hurt
   
9. Lost a spoke
   
10. My tires low
    
11. The van needs straightening up
    
12. Support team is too far ahead
    
13. Chocolate milk not chocolately enough
    
14. Breakfast not good enough-no waffles
    
15. Can't ride-tired
    
16. I can't eat another Fig Newton
    
17. Waters not cold enough
    
18. Our support team not supportive enough
    
19. Too cold
    
20. Too hot
    
21. Too humid
    
22. Too wet
    
23. Too dry
    
24. Wrong jacket, I wanted the lighter yellow jacket
    
25. Can't find it-its back in the luggage
    
26. Phone call from Pat and Don,”Where are you guys, we're 133 Second Street”
    
27. Plug it into the Garmin
    
28. Wet wipes? Paper towel? Pass up my glasses(Don)
    
29. My back hurts(Pat)
    
30. I've got a cramp(both)
    
31. Haven't got it today
    
32. We've got dog problems
    
33. Up, down, up, down, I hate this
    
34. The levee was too flat
    
    
35. From the van...”Suck it up Nancy”
    
36. From the van,”You're not going to die, keep pedaling”
    
37. From the van, “Put your big girl Panties on”
    

Thanks to all of you that followed our journey.

Last night as I finished my blog the battery died and I lost what I was trying to write.  I'll give it another try tonight.
Yesterday we left Lexington, Virginia to ride 18 miles to the town of Vesuvius.  At Vesuvius we planned to begin the three mile, last serious climb of the trip.  32 years ago I approached this climb with a fully loaded bike.  I did the steep climb standing on the pedals the whole way.
This time I came to the climb with no load and a light weight bike.  Pat and I started up together but he quickly pulled away.  Almost immediately the climb went to13%.  We have a readout on our bike computers that shows the grade.  When it hit 16% I took a break.  I started up again but finally had to admit that I needed to get off and push the bike.
On a relatively flat area, I remounted and made it about a quarter mile before getting off and pushing.  The van was waiting for me.  I pushed the bike to the van and told them that I was going to the top under my own power.
I got back and silently vowed to go a half mile before getting off again.  In about 3/10 of mile the grade hit 19% for a short spell.  Fortunately, two younger bikers came up past me.  I couldn't get off with them there so I kept pedaling.  I made the half mile and was able to keep going.  The grade dropped to 10% and I was relieved(funny because Pat and I feel an 8% grade is tough).  I forced my self to stay on as long as possible and was surprised when I turned a bend and discovered that I was on top.  Pat was there with Sal and Rod.
We had ridden up to the Blue Ridge Parkway, which we rode for another 20 miles.  The parkway had many spectacular views and a few more climbs but nothing like the ride up from Vesuvius.
Pat kindly said in his blog that we had ridden up without much problem.  I know I struggled but I wouldn't have missed that climb for anything.  Along the Parkway, I thanked America for giving me this challenge.
We rode down from the Parkway and into Charlottesville for a motel, a shower and a trip to Jefferson's home at Monticello.
Since it was Rod's birthday we treated him to the Monticello visit and dinner at The Outback Steakhouse.
This morning we drove a short distance to Palmyra for brunch with Pat's cousin.  We started our ride from there.  With a late start we still made 76 miles to Ashland.  Pat and I rode separately the whole day.  Afterward, we agreed that the ride had been just a job.  We didn't notice much of the scenery.  Tomorrow we ride about 80 miles to Williamsburg.  That will set us up for a short ride Tuesday morning to Yorktown and the end of our journey.