Heroes

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We did it!  Correction, THEY did it.  Sitting in a van for nearly 6 weeks isn't going to impress anyone but riding up to 2093 miles with a condition that many probably perceive to be life-limiting isn't too shabby!

We met up with the Chicago team in Steele Indian Park, just 3.5 miles from the convention centre, for a final mass ride to the finish line.  A CBS news crew turned up and did a couple of interviews and all 40 riders formed up for the glorious final miles.  The Phoenix Police Department, bless their cotton socks, provided a group of Highway Patrol motorcyclists to close the road and set the lights to green as we swept into town.  Ahead of the group was our documentary crew, filming from the back of a pickup truck, and behind were our support vehicles, decked out with balloons.  It was probably the coolest thing I have ever been part of.  There have been many moments on our journey when I have wondered why on earth I do this and these glorious final 15 minutes reminded.me.

At the convention centre was a welcome party, complete with banners and food but, cucially, no beer.  This last feature had been promised at my personal insistence (nobody rides 2093 miles for a can of coke on my watch!) But they renaged on the deal.  My lawyers are on to it and we are looking at breach of contract, emotional distress and cruelty for starters.

There were hugs, tears and a huge sense of relief.  Some old friends were there to meet us...Marlene (who provided snacks and breakfast several lifetimes ago in Orgeon) and Naomi (who fed us like kings in Marina, CA).  

My riders (they are 'my' riders now, not just 'the' riders) live with their own unique cocktail of up to 40 symptoms, each of which has been fiendishly designed to make cycling a little bit more difficult than it is for others.  Some of their struggles are obvious and probably many others are not.  Despite all this they get on their bikes and ride.  They don't 'suffer' from PD, they live with it...and bloody well!

This is the 2nd longest tour I have led and certainly the most complex.  I am completely knackered.  Tomorrow I have to drive the van 400 miles back to LA and catch a plane home to celebrate the last few hours of my wife's birthday.   My brain says I should never do this sort of trip again, but my heart....

Comments

  1. Marisa Fink23 May 2026 at 02:07

    Well done!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous23 May 2026 at 15:21

    A B S O L U T E L Y. T R E M E N D O U S. !

    ReplyDelete

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