Finish Line (Days 61-62)

Day 61:
Colby's Mom, Dianna, made us the best breakfast, including some amazing homemade pancakes (with secret ingredient). Colby's dad, Seth, offered to be our supported-tour driver for the last two days, so Colby and I gladly loaded most of our gear into his SUV and left. For the first time this trip I finally feel I have become a cyclist, riding without my gear. I rode the first 20 miles in a breeze, flying up hills like they were nothing. Just as my confidence peaked the threading on my left pedal gave out and the pedal slid clean off the post that attaches to the crank arm. Seth was right there with a ride back to the nearest town with a bike shop. They opened early at 11:30AM, I got some new pedals and cleats, and hit the road again to make up for lost time. Every breakdown I've had, I've been so fortunate to get it fixed or get into a bike shop nearby, thank my lucky stars. If Seth wasn't there, I would have easily lost a day of riding, and had a very hard time hitchhiking back to the city. Colby and I arrived in Mechanicsville, VA fairly late, and to get to the hotel Seth was at we decided to ride on the freeway for a mile, the most frightening mile of the trip. Cars and trucks were whizzing by, getting on the freeway, getting off the freeway, and the shoulder was filled with all kinds of rocks and debris that made it nearly impossible to ride in. Just before getting off we went through some junk in the road and Colby and I both got flats at the same time. They both held out until the end of the freeway, then I only had to walk a couple blocks to the hotel room where I was able to switch it out in comfort. It was a long, hot, tiring 96 mile day, even without gear, so stopping at the hotel was such a nice treat, I cannot thank you enough Seth.
Day 62:
The day felt long, but coming around the corner and seeing the ocean washed away my tiredness in a wave of bliss as I realized I just rode my bicycle across the country. Yorktown. The beach. I did it. I said goodbye to Seth and Colby after going for a swim, and I am at this amazing little church house for the night. I feel great, though I am tired and need to rest.

First view of the ocean.