4 down, 1 to go

Todays ride turned out to be the hardest day yet. Despite initial information that claimed that Wednesday would be the longest day today actually turned out to be longer. On top of the longest mileage to date the route was almost all hills with very few flats. As soon as the riders crested one hill and rode down they would immediately begin the climb up the subsequent hill.

Even though there are quite a few hills around the Seattle area that Jackie and I rode on during the summer the sheer number of hills on this ride were quite formidable. From Jackie's accounts some of the hills were also extremely steep for a bike rider to the point where Jackie had to walk her bike up the hill. Now I have rode a lot of hills with Jackie and I will be the first to admit that she can kick my butt left, right and center up a hill so I know first hand that for Jackie to get off her bike on a hill, it must be pretty epic!

The end of todays route took the riders through the heart of Baltimore winding down narrow streets alongside drivers not used to sharing the road with cyclists. The final destination for the evening was a park on the east side of Baltimore where the riders set up their tents, ate dinner, listened to another speaker and then laid down for an early evening because the morning would be coming even earlier.

Tomorrow looks to be an easier day with more flats and even some down hill, but although tomorrow is the final day it is not a day to meander through the countryside. At the end of tomorrow's route awaits senators and congress(wo)men who will be speaking with the riders along with parts of the media that are documenting the wrap up of the event. Jackie was told that it was been confirmed that she will have the opportunity to meet Washington's own Maria Cantwell. Thankfully the representatives of Washington are already doing a great deal for our state compared to a lot of other states so there are not many things to add with the short amount of time they will have together.

After all is said and done Jackie will have her bike dissembled in order to be shipped back to Seattle. Jackie's friend, Sarah Mars, will be picking her up and taking her home where Jackie will be able to shower and relax and sit on something other than a piece of hard foam and rubber.