Road2Recovery Ride Ends in Washington, D.C.

Here is Karey Harris' report on the last day of the ride featured on Patch on Aug. 25. Her was posted on Sept. 10. 

The trip began Sept. 11 in New York and will continue through historic Pennsylvania via Philadelphia, Lancaster, Gettysburg, and Bedford, to the Flight 93 crash site in Shanksville, PA. The tour will end on Sept. 18 at the Pentagon Memorial in Washington, DC. Harris is cycling with 300 others to raise money for wounded soldiers.

"My last update was after our long day to Bedford, PA, and I am stumped on how to close this story out.  We have since stopped in Shenksville, PA, Cumberland ,MD, and Winchester, VA. Today (Sunday) was our last day of riding, and we finished with an inspiring trip to the Pentagon!   

My time in the support van was a rollercoaster, much like the hills my new friends had to climb on their bicycles.  While they were battling physical challenges, I was left to my own mental demons. Luckily, the driver of the van, Joe, is an inspirational man, and was willing to let me talk it out a bit. 

Much like Eric took me under his wing and helped me out when I needed it on the road, Joe did the same for me in the van. I can't thank him enough for his words and inspiring actions. I don't think I would have been able to come out of this ride with nearly the same inspiration without those two!  

My shoulder still hurts, but I was determined to ride my bicycle into the Pentagon parking lot today.  I didn't care if I had to do it while leaning on another rider and in so much pain I couldn't see, I was going to do it! The Pentagon is the stop we made that means the most to me, AND it was the finish line.

I was NOT about to limp to the finish line feeling defeated.  In my opinion, it was not an option. Besides... there are plenty of riders who ride with 1 arm or 1 leg... I can suck it up for a day!   With lots of encouragement from my new friends, I rocked strong on the bike for the last 50 miles or so of today's 75 mile ride.  It felt good to be back "home" with the group, and it did not hurt to ride quite as much as I thought it would. 

I had three friends agree to ride with me just in case I needed help along the way. I accidentally left two of them in the dust... (Sorry Dave and Dianne!) All the encouragement and well wishes I had been handing out over the past few days came back to me full-force today!  

In DC we met up with the sister of the pilot of the plane that crashed into the Pentagon. She told us that she did not like standing in the memorial.

We were standing next to her brother's bench. However, when she saw us coming in, she was thrilled in a way she says she has not felt in over a decade. She was glad to see that we were celebrating life and enjoying it, while not forgetting the sacrifices made of our military and the horrific scenes played out on 9/11.   

I am stumped trying to wrap this up. I can't find the words to share how inspirational the people I met are. I can't believe that any of them (or you) think I am inspirational. I haven't done anything all that outstanding. I haven't been in the types of mortal danger that my fellow riders have been in. 

I am touched at how many people gave so selfelessly to help others, including myself.  I have a list of great new friends who I will never forget, and I will never forget their stories. 

I am also touched that you are reading this article, and I have comments/donations from people I have never met. I'd have never have guessed that could happen.   My mantra was right... this ride has been SO much bigger than me."

Karey Harris