Day 3 (Finally!!!)

My apologies for this blog’s delayed release.

Our third and final day of the ride started out like most of the others. The route took us into Washington DC on a weekday. For this reason, we departed later than normal allowing rush hour traffic to die down. The extra sleep was welcome. There was also a palpable optimism in the air. Don’t misunderstand me to believe that the other days did not contain positive attitudes. Positive attitudes were abundant on the ride but there was an ominous understanding that there was a long road ahead of us. Day three was a little different. The road would still contain its difficulties and 50 miles is no roll through the park but there was hope. The end was in sight.

The ride out of the hotels was an exercise in extremes. First the cold grabbed us as we rolled down hill. Then a hill would come and we’d exert to the point of perspiration. The lingering perspiration then gave us the chills on the next down hill. For all its extremes, the first leg was short. Our first break was at the Marine Corps Museum of Quantico.

While there was plenty to drink and eat, the rest stop has an unfortunate downfall; there’s nowhere to use the restroom.

Many of the riders, among whom I am not counted, are former Marines. Caleb is a former Marine.

For them, this is sacred ground. As well it should be. Thus, our normal operating procedure of expediting the nature break process should be avoided on the premises. Amber said she saw a couple of guys scurry off into the woods. I’m fairly sure a Marine with bayonet fixed jumped out of the bushes and surprised them.

Of course you can’t go to the Marine Corps museum without a friendly push off.

Past the Marine Corps Museum, the fun with hills begins again. There’s nothing on day 3 that will blow you away after you’ve seen day 2 but the hills will make you hurt. Still, there were plenty of folks honoring those we were riding for along the way. Seeing things like this only steels your resolve.

A well-positioned break point in between two hills is meant to carry us through to lunch. Spirits were high.

Sheldon showed me his spider man impression.

Having gone down one steep hill, we left the break to climb another. We went down another and we climbed another. You get the picture.

The ride into our lunch break is always very beautiful. We tend to draw the attention of some of the park’s visitors who welcome us with applause. Law Enforcement United…….welcomes us with bar-b-que.

Longer than most of our lunch breaks, there is some time for goofing around at lunch on the third day.

I also had the opportunity to snap a shot of the medical team getting a team picture. All the support staff stay so busy, you very rarely see all of them in one place. In fact, you’ll notice that Steve is curiously absent from most of the photos where we are goofing around on breaks. It’s because while we rest for a bit and take in some food and water, he was busy making sure the riders are being taken care of. All the support staff are truly awesome and devoted individuals.
I didn’t get a picture of all the support teams but here is Law Enforcement United’s awesome medical team.

With full stomachs, we dressed up our bikes and got back on the road.

The last leg is one of the best of the ride. The respect that passersby show to the memories of our fallen heroes is truly touching. The support they show for the riders is astounding.

At an “arrival ceremony” before the arrival ceremony, we were treated to some of the best pipes, drums, and motivation anyone could ask for.

The arrival ceremony takes place at the Pentagon on the hallowed grounds of the 9-11 memorial site.

We were welcomed by some very distinguished visitors.

With remarks by leaders from the Pentagon Force Protection Agency, Law Enforcement United, the Officer Down Memorial Page and Concerns of Police Survivors, we honored the memories of our fallen heroes by presenting Concerns of Police Survivors with a check for $135,000 and the Officer Down Memorial Page a check for $50,000. Chris Cosgriff gave credit to Law Enforcement United for helping the Officer Down Memorial Page with their first site overhaul in eight years. If you haven’t seen it, it looks awesome. There are some major user interface improvements as well. The attendees were then treated to Rob Costello singing, “The Road to Hope”.

Thanks to the National COPS office, you can watch the entire ceremony on youtube.

While the arrival ceremony was a fitting end for a ride, we weren’t staying at the pentagon. A short ride found us at our hotel where support staff and riders alike were abuzz with activity.

After sorting some things out and cleaning up, Team Texas had the traditional arrival dinner at Ted’s Montana Grill. If you ever find yourself near one, we highly recommend it. Consequently, Team Texas would also have our traditional post-arrival lunch the next day at the same place.

While there is some more blogging to do about this trip, this is the last one that concerns the actual ride portion. As such, I feel it appropriate to mention it’s purpose and meaning. The Law Enforcement United ride, the “Road to Hope”, is meant to be an analogy for the road to hope that line of duty death survivors travel down.

The ride we make is difficult. Of that, most can unanimously agree. Where we find some difference is in how it is difficult. Whether you ride 230 miles or drive a food vehicle from stop to stop, it is difficult for everyone. Even Scott Humphrey. That hasn’t stopped him from doing the ride year after year after year. For experienced riders like Scott, they know what is coming and what to expect so they can prepare the “first timers”. They’ve been down this road before. There are some folks who never find themselves on a bicycle. Maybe they can’t tell you exactly how it feels to have the miles on the bike wear on the body but they can tell you how being there for the riders demanded more of them than perhaps they initially expected. A support person greeting a rider might receive a smile or a thank you or nothing more than an indifferent glance from a physically exhausted and depleted soul.

Then there is Concerns of Police Survivors, an organization of survivors and supporters working for survivors. They’ll go down that road with you. They’ll help you. They know what to expect. They’ve been there before. Survivors like Maria Alvarado who lost her son, Cpl Richard Barreda, more than 14 years ago. Year after year, she’ll take that road with a family or families who need to know what’s down that road. This year, Team Texas as group rode in memory of Richard Berrea and presented Maria with a bracelet worn during the ride.

Day 3 was like the sun rising on a new day. Many still had bodies weary from day 2 and didn’t know if they could make it another hill. “What is day 3 like”, many first timers would ask. “I’m not going to lie. There are some hills that just plain suck but you’ve made it this far, you’ll make it the rest of the way”. I know I’d probably never make it to Day 3 without my fellow riders and support. There’s a good possibility I’d never even attempt the journey. Fortunately for me, there are riders who have been down this road before and the support to make sure I make my way down it too.

I don’t know because I’ve never been down that road but I’d bet there’s a “Day 3” for survivors too. It is true honor to be a part of Team Texas and Law Enforcement United supporting Concerns of Police Survivors and the Officer Down Memorial Page. I can’t walk that road for the survivors, but I can be there for them and make sure they know they are not alone. COPS will show them that there is a journey, they’ve been there and know the way. They can show them there’s a road and at the end there is hope.

Otis Kue

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