In 2016 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that between 14,000 - 15,000 Americans have ALS. ALS is a common neuromuscular disease worldwide. It affects people of all races and ethnic backgrounds.
The night before our last day, we had a bit of a kerfuffle (for some, another new word of the trip which then became a bit overused...) involving Charlie's insulin. The portable cold pouch used to keep his insulin cold had been submerged in water and unbeknownst to Charlie exploded and he feared the insulin was no longer effective. After much discussion about our next steps, we eventually asked Mark and Susan to stop at our house to pick up additional supplies the next morning on their way back to join us in York. Mark and Susan are the type of people that would go 500 miles out of their way to help a friend so this was an easy ask of them.
Again, we were checking the weather app but this time our concern was the heat. We hoped to be on the road by 10:00am at the latest. Mark and Susan arrived around 8:30am and Charlie had time to set up a new pod. I had a quick award ceremony to thank the participants of the ride and Steve solved his 24 hour dilemma as to who may have his prescription sunglasses. It seems while he was cleaning the bikes at the end of Day 1, he placed his glasses on a table in the garage next to Ellen's biking glasses. He mistakenly took hers instead of his prescription glasses and was flummoxed as to what could have happened to his. Once all of our issues were resolved, we were ready to get back into the saddle and ride the 57 miles back to Topsfield.
Doug took off for home when we pedaled out of York as he needed to get back for our dog Benny. Rosie and Mark were expert LG's for the entire day. Although we were on the road by 9:15am, Long Sands Beach in York was a bustle of activity. The weather was delightful and the water views were just magnificent. I was in my happy place. Our senses were filled with the sights, sounds and smells of Maine. The sounds of the lapping waves; the sun brilliantly glistening off the water; the distinctive smell of the ocean and when we turned onto Route 103 for the rolling hills, the familiar scent of pine associated with Maine. Cycling truly can be a sacred experience! And then there are the seagulls. As we crossed over the Memorial Bridge into Portsmouth and the first water stop of the day, Steve had an encounter with a seagull. He was taken in the views of the harbor, when he realized a seagull pooped right on his newly found prescription sunglasses. He was a bit incredulous as he pulled into the water stop but we all had a good laugh. The day was certainly heating up so the stop was a quick one at Pierce Island and we were back on the road heading to Rye and the NH seacoast.
Mark seemed to be everywhere along this route just checking on us and snapping some pictures. Again, the coastal ride was magnificent but the heat was rising and taking a bit of a toll. We called another audible and added a rest stop at North Hampton Beach so we could get into some shade and dunk our heads in the outdoor shower. Charlie loved that the Beach Plum, with the best ice cream ever, was right across the street. The Beach Plum is a must stop on our frequent training rides up the coast and Charlie, being a rookie, got the biggest ice cream he could buy for $7.00! Foz,(Dave Foster) our fearless leader from last year would have been impressed. The ice cream was so big, and I knew we couldn't wait much longer to get back on the road. Thankfully, he took my suggestion to put it in one of the coolers so we could get back on the road and he could eat the rest at the next stop which was just about 5 miles down the road.
At our last stop, about 18 miles from the end, we received a text from Doug saying that the road just before our house was being paved and that we needed to make a detour around the pond which would add about 2 miles to our route. As we passed the road, I heard Charlie say, "I think we should go for it!" Susan and Steve decided that they would follow Charlie and go around the orange cones and take the short ride home. I was in the front and was already a bit passed the road. Being an anxious rule follower, I decided to take the detour. Although they made it home before me, I found them scowling in the backyard looking at all of the tar that was now affixed to their tires!!!
Doug had pizza and cold beer waiting for us and it was delightful to sit in the air conditioned house relieving the incredibly memories of the last 4 days and over 200 miles! We were a small but determined group who worked together like a well oiled machine to overcome obstacles we faced. Our goals of raising funds, raising awareness and building community were certainly met. To date, we have raised over $11,000 for Team Hope and we know more is still on the way. We raised awareness by talking to people we met along the way. And, we built community amongst ourselves and others. Rosie had the best line of the day when she said "With teamwork, the dream works!" So very true.
Once again, we made memories to last a life time. We are so grateful for our friends Ellen Fisher and David and Claire Behrens who put us up in their beautiful homes. Not only did this make the ride affordable for us all but their hospitality was the highlight of the trip. We are also so very blessed that friends and family continue to support our fundraising efforts for ALS. With your help, we are contributing to fund a cure. May it be soon!
We are already talking about plans for next year and the ALS Ride for Hope 3.0! We will begin planning much earlier and hopefully our team of riders and LG's will continue to grow.
With much gratitude, hope and love,
Dolly
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Way to go Team Hope!