Day 3- AJ
Posted by ajmoreland | Filed under Uncategorized
Today was scheduled for 105 mile trek and what a 105 miles it was. Of course to start out the day, 3 miles into my ride, I blew a tire. I ran over something big because their was two big gashes in my tire. I had to hop in a support vehicle for a while until I was able to get a tire. Thanks to a an ER doc that was riding with us that happens to work at a bike shop part time, I was given 2 yellow italian new tires for free. I am now knicknamed “bumblebee” because of my black and yellow bike. Back on the road, we were able to enjoy a less hilly ride. We were in parade format for alot of today, mainly because we had several memorials to attend in the towns we passed through. I was really taken back on how appreciative the families of the paramedics and EMT’s that lost their lives were of us riding this bike ride. They really seemed to be there to support us in our efforts, but truly we were there to support them. I’ll admit it, I almost cried today, when they talked about the life of someone that passed away. I didn’t know him, but I understood what he went through. I just have to say that people in Deleware are just way too happy. I have to thank them for being some of the most hospitable people ever. From the people on the side of the road to the welcoming EMS people at the end in Georgetown, I was very impressed with them. We actaually had a big reception in Dover, DE in the town center where the Governor and Vice-Governor were there and actually signed a state declaration stating the support of the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride and their cause. From there we made our way into Georgetown, DE where we picked up the family of a paramedic hit by a car on scene last year. Her 5 year old son led the pack for the last mile into the town center. The town center/circle was just like out of the “Truman Show.” But the Chief of EMS had a wonderful speach about the fallen paramedic as well as lots of “thank yous” to us for remembering her life. From there we raced about a mile down the road to an open field where the local EMS service had went all out on a cook-out. I’m talking hamburgers, hotdogs, beans, coleslaw, everything, even a DJ. I think I ate a little too much. From there we were shipped back to our hotels where we checked in at about 9 pm at night. I think you guys know how ther rest of the story goes.
AJ out!