Day 13 Salt Lake City to New York City 2200 miles, climbing to an altitude of 35,000 feet

one last breakfast together, exchanging e-mail addresses, taking one last set of pictures together.  it was the end of the road for me and another day in the saddle for the rest of the group.

it was a good chance to say my good-byes and shake hands or hug one last time.

prior to the beginning of the first day's ride on all the aids rides i used to do, there is a very moving ceremony that would take place.  as the crowd of riders would all be gathered in some big hall to commence that first day of the tour, ride organizers and local dignitaries would first talk about the importance of all the riders and their efforts to raise monies for research and care funding and would inspire the crowds with their words of encouragement and support.  one by one, the various speakers would come up to the podium and thank us all for our efforts.  it was impactful and it was empowering.  then the mood would turn somber as the traditional ceremony of "the riderless bicycles" was performed.  a path through the crowds would be formed and a few selected riders who walk alongside their bikes, escorting these "riderless" bikes through the parted masses.  these riderless bikes symbolized those friends and loved ones would had fallen in the past to the devastating disease and were no longer with us.  as the processional began, they would always play the tune "bittersweet symphony" by the group, the verve.  it was such a moving moment before the ride began and there was rarely a dry eye in the house.

this morning, as i was outside watching everyone pumping up their tires, checking the route maps one last time, adjusting their helmets or cleats, loading their bags and filling their water bottles, i couldn't get that damned song out of my head.  the strain of those plaintive strings of the violins at the beginning of that song kept playing over and over as i watched all my fellow riders head out for the second leg of their cross country adventure.  as they rounded the corner and rode out of sight, i turned to head back to my room, to pack and to catch the shuttle to the airport for the flight home.  bittersweet indeed.

their second leg of the cross country trip started this morning.  part two of mine will start from this same location a year from now.

stay tuned.