Day 2 started off like day 2 has started off every year I have done the ride: cloudy, cold, and to the collective groans of hundreds of riders mounting back up on their bicycle seat the day after riding 100+ miles. There’s not much that can really be done about the groaning. Until today, the weather seemed almost as much a main stay as the former. The odds makers in Vegas don’t rate the likely hood of sunny weather on May 11th very highly in Virginia. At least they wouldn’t if they’d seen what I have seen the past few years. Needless to say, the overcast morning did not inspire much confidence in the sunny forecast. Fortunately for the riders of Law Enforcement United, this year day 2 was going to break tradition in that respect.
Speaking with most riders, almost unanimously, they agreed that the alarm came to early this morning. Apparently, the day before kind of took it out of us. We all gathered downstairs and got ready for the day ahead.
The ride got started. I don’t have much to say about this next picture. It speaks for itself.
Day 1 we cover so much ground there isn’t much spare time. Day 2 is a bit different and we get to be a part of some special memorial ceremonies that coincide with our breaks. The first rest stop we remembered two fallen officers. Officer Andre Gerard Booker and Trooper Jessica Jean Cheney both died near where the memorial ceremony was taking place and we were honored by the presence of those they had left behind. We listened to officers from both of their agencies speak and shared the moment with Jessica’s parents.
The run up to the second rest stop gave a small taste of the hills to come and it was time to put on the war face.
Then there was Caleb and Sheldon. I took a picture of their war faces but….honestly….this is kind of the way they look all the time.
After we got back on the road, it wasn’t long before we were greeted by one of the local volunteer fire departments with tradition fresh strawberries and PB+J sandwiches.
After lunch, we rode to a rest stop where we were warmly welcomed by members of an agency who were holding a memorial ceremony for Deputy Sheriff Dean Ridings who had just died the previous year.
The hills rolled on and we rolled up them. We stopped in to vist with Todd Bahr, his agency and family. The memorial bench they have outside their building is beautiful.
The last rest stop of the day is in the middle of Stafford County. Stafford County, its agencies, and its citizens have always given the best and biggest welcomes. It is only fitting because it is probably where we as riders need it the most. As one anonymous rider next to me today said, “There hearts are big but the hills are bigger.” I might contest that statement but I’ll concede it is a close call.
I also happened to catch a little video of the man himself as he rode into the rest stop.
With Stafford County leading the way, we honored their fallen deputies Mooney and Humphrey.
After that it was short ride to the hotel with “one more hill” about three or four times. Day 2 is a rough day for many riders. Travis is one of our first year riders and I remember how tough day 2 was for me that first year. A constant source of inspiration is why and WHO we are riding for. We ride for our fallen AND those they’ve left behind. Travis took what I intended to be a comedic moment and, with single minded focus that obviously got him through this tough day, said it as best as it can be said.
Again, for you numbers folks, here are the cold hard stats. Again, these numbers are lower than the actual totals because I forgot to restart my computer a few times leaving rest stops.
Miles: 71.6
Time actually on the bike: 4 hours 35 minutes
Average Speed: 15.6 mph
Ascent total: 4400 feet
My Average Heart rate: 123bpm
My Calories Burned: 2855
My husband, chaplain Ullian with VB Sheriff Dept. is on the trip and it is great to visit your blog and see how things are going. Prayers for the riders.
Thank you Maureen. You’re husband is a great person to have around during the ride.