Day 7 the final day

It was a bittersweet start to the day on Monday October 22nd.  Kathy, Marvin, Manny and myself started off down the Trail for the last time on our our journey.  After 6 and 7 days of riding, we all were sore in places we won't mention here and in some cases, pedaling was painful.  We knew that the end of our ride was near and I think that each of us savored that last day in a different way.  Kathy and Manny, always saw the beauty along the trail, Eagles, turtles, incredible well springs and the beach of course.  Marvin, kept the crew together and despite a knee that was growing to double the size the other one, he pedaled on and on. I took this last day as an opportunity to really test myself a bit more... so all this meant that we were on different parts of the trail for the morning.  Our goal today was to reach at least 38 miles, which would allow each of us to reach our goal.

As we passed under the Largo sign for the last time, it was fitting that, that was our 38 mile of the day.. 400th mile in 7 days.  Just an amazing journey!

I know that I am proud of this week, but this wasn't really the ending.  The next day we would be presenting a check thanks to so many people that donated to this cause.  The ride was just to bring awareness to Give Kids the World and to raise some money to help build new villas for families.  

We reached $20,000 in donations!  We are very proud of that (by the way the donation site is still open:)

I know that each of us is also equally proud of our physical accomplishment during this week.  We had some mechanical issues along the way and physical barriers, but each of us completed our goals.  

We also know that.... this was special, not just a chance to ride for 7 days straight, for entire days, but that while we will do this again next year, it will never be like this.  Something that started as a crazy idea sitting around a table in Costa Rica, became reality.  We actually raised a boatload of money we got our bikes to Florida and we rode.

We have many people to thank,  but if it's ok.. I would like to thank my fellow riders today.

To Kathy, who made us laugh, was eternally positive and is such a loving and caring person.  Thank you for all the conversation along the ride.  Thank you for taking care of us along the way and helping me to stop and smell the roses now and then (well, beyond the smell of my own jersey:)

Manny,  Thanks for being my friend and for your perseverance, throughout the ride. You kept us grounded and reminded us of why we really are doing this.  Thank you!

   

Marvin, we rode together almost the entire time and you did it with a hurt knee.. you are truly the ironman of the ride.  None of this would have happened at all if we didn't keep pushing.  I am so happy that we didn't give up when things got tough along the way.

It's crazy that it happened and now.. I am sure it is going to be a traditional ride before conference.  We'll have more riders next year, but this year was amazing.  Thank you for pushing me along.

I'll post some photos of our Check Presentation soon, a very proud and joyous day. 

I loved this photo, taken by our friend Fanny in St. Pete. I think this was around mile 200... crazy.. everyone did over 400 miles in a week.. that's nuts!  What an amazing team!  Thanks gang.