Well, Maybe It Is The Destination!!!

On March 5th we dipped our back tires in the Pacific Ocean and headed East and on April 29th we dipped our front tires in the Pacific Ocean. 58 days had gone by, some days filled with elation and celebration, some days filled with exhaustion and a tear or two, some days freezing cold, muggy hot, rain, sleet or snow; but every mile of the 3100 miles we travelled was an adventure of a lifetime! A dream come true, an experience I'll never forget and one tiny step closer to a goal that I know all of you share with me.....a cure for spinal cord injuries!



My Wisconsin biking friends know my biking motto (and life motto) is:

"It's the Journey....Not the Destination!"

However as I climbed on my bike for the last day of our trip - that day it was the destination I was dreaming of.....St. Augustine and Van and family and friends. We started out about 7:30 a.m. and were to reach our 40 mile mark by 10:30. We were gathering at the fire station where we would be escorted into town by the police. True to our name and reputation, The Sweeps were the last to arrive at the fire station - but we made it with 15 minutes to spare!

With tears in our eyes we lined up (two by two) behind the lead police car with another police car bringing up the rear. A cute little motorcycle cop rode beside us and would speed ahead to the next intersection to stop traffic and we had the thrill of going through red lights while blurts of sirens sounded! Tell me, other than my funeral, that will probably never happen to me again! We paraded through historic St. Augustine and into Anastasia Park, a 7 mile ride filled with 3100 miles of memories. As we entered the long road into the park, The Sweeps were allowed to break the two by two rule and resume our usual threesome because we just had to ride in together. Most riders were filled with excitement and wanted to be as forward as possible in the line-up. Katie, Kirby and I only wanted our well-earned spot....bringing up the rear and savoring every last mile of our dream.

Let me try to share the thrill of the day:

Here we come into the park with our police escort; two cars leading, bikers two by two, the three sweeps way in the back making sure we have our special spot, followed by the SAG wagon (white vehicle), and lastly another police vehicle. Wish you could hear the sirens and the cheers. Most of our family and friends were a bit further back, around the corner...don't want you to think we only had 3 people cheering us on!

There were many signs, but this is the one made just for me. Holding the picture are my Forever Friends (grade school & high school). Judy, Amy, Barb, Jan, Sandy and Billie. (Sharon's heart was there cause she couldn't be). As, the girls said...I was just a good excuse for them to have a week on the beach and are begging me to do something next year so they can have another vacation. Of course Van was there too. All the rest of my family and friends (you) were there with me too....not physically, but in my heart; without all of you I never would have made it!

Here we are at the ocean. As you know, my bike is called the Forever Flyer....because many years ago I would ride my bike down to the beach to meet these very same girls. So when I got a new bike and they all said they would be at the beach to see me ride in....I said "this is just like old times....riding my bike to the beach to see you", thus I named the bike Forever Flyer.

The dipping of the front tires....I'm third from the right.

The Sweeps holding a sign that says "Team Sweep is Tops!"

Dropping our bikes, grabbing hands, we end our journey with a dip in the Atlantic. (me, Kirby and Katie)

Okay, so my leg muscles improved, but not my upper body - couldn't get my bike all the way over my head. This is still my victory pose.

A close up of Team Sweep in the "dipping tires" line up.

Do we look happy and proud or what?

A few of the signs!

Just in case you don't have a clear picture of the day....here I am again!

In my travels I met many new friends, travelled through quaint and welcoming towns, passed mountains, valleys, rivers, streams and oceans, and saw many beautiful sights, but none as welcoming or wonderful as the sight of Van. the warmth of his embrace, and the reality that I would soon be back home with family and friends and ready for the next exciting chapter of my life.

Thanks for traveling with me on this journey....I can't wait to see you again!

Love, Patti