Our final day of riding began with lots of nervous jitters. It was hard to believe that our last day of riding had actually arrived and that we were within 45 miles of reaching our goal. I was also riding on a patched tube on the back tire and didn't want to have a flat on the last day, ---or fall, ---or get lost, ---or be late arriving at the fire station, ---or a million other needless worries.
The ride itself was beautiful. It wound along back farm roads and quiet little communities. We had to keep telling ourselves to slow down, take a deep breath (famous Michelle words), and not rush through these last miles with our friends.
We arrived at the St. Augustine fire house, where we assembled for the final five miles in to the beach with a police escort. We arranged ourselves in two's, with the oldest riders leading the way, and the younger riders in back. Would you believe I was actually one of the middle ager riders, since there were quite a number of 60 to 68 year olds in our group. We all rode in together the final five miles. We were quite a site as we wound through the streets of St. Augustine, whooping it up, and waving to the curious onlookers. We crossed the Bridge of Lions and headed in to Anastacia Beach, where family and friends had gathered to welcome and congratulate the riders. It was surreal. Although I didn't have family or friends there to meet me at the finish, I knew my family was cheering me on toward this goal. When we got to the beach, I headed straight fo the water, and lifted my bike over my head in celebration of reaching the finish line. Since I was a SAG driver, I didn't bike all the miles, but I biked about 2400 of the 3100 miles. I was told that we climbed a total of 76,000 feet in elevation over the course of the trip. I rode with an incredible group of ladies! Every one made it in to the final destination in spite of minor misshaps along the way. Our celebration included a wonderful lunch at the beach before heading off to pack bikes for shipping home.
We said our goodbyes at dinner time. It was sad to see this trip end, but each of us realizes that it is time to return to our real lives, forever changed by the friends we have made, and the achievement we have accomplished together. I was looking forward to this being my last night in a hotel bed for a long while!
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