We're Home

This is my first post about why I'm riding, and here's where to donate to Water Life Hope.  The ride is complete, but it's still possible (and wonderful) to donate.  I'll do a couple of more entries, one with equipment reviews for those who might be contemplating something similar and another about Warm Showers.  Then I'll close the blog.  Might open another one if we do something else interesting, but this one will be done.  Thanks so very much for reading this one.  It was really fun to have you with me on the ride.

Most of the group.  Let to right: Matt Yurman, Paula Grad, me,
Steve, Jude Lomas, Al Greenberg, Mike Martinez.
Missing Gardner Neely,  Henry Slack,
John Cargile, Andy Blakemore, Charles Shapiro

May 17: Dallas to Decatur, 44 miles.

Steve and I woke up in Carol's guest room.  It was time to get home.  I prepared to ride one last time: make peanut butter sandwiches, put hydration tabs in one of my water bottles, put emergency water in another bottle, make sure my Camelbak is full, fill up my feedbag with quick eats, chuck a complete cookie in my day pannier.  I'd lubed my chain when we came in from Cave Springs, and I'd check my tire pressure right before riding.  Ready.

We toured the basement, full of Patrick's models, model trains and the awards he's received for them.  It's hard to describe the level of detail in each of Patrick's tiny creations.  There are little dials on airplane cockpit control panels, itty bitty seatbelts, everything that makes a train or airplane or robot what it is.  The skill involved is impressive.

Most of the group.  Let to right: Matt Yurman, Paula Grad, me,
Steve, Jude Lomas, Al Greenberg,  Gardner Neely.
Missing Mike Martinez,  Henry Slack,
John Cargile, Andy Blakemore, Charles Shapiro

After our goodbyes, Steve and I headed back to the Tara Drummond Trailhead where we'd ended our ride the day before.  The trailhead was getting cranked up for the day.  A couple of roadies asked about the URL on the bus, and they got ride cards.  Welcome me home, guys.

I rode to the Silver Comet Depot and joy of joys the bike store was open!  Jeff, the new owner, welcomed me home with a King of Pops of my choice (Chocolate Sea Salt), and a gimlet eye on my bike.  He noticed that one of my bottle cages was broken.  I really hadn't noticed, but Jeff installed a new one for free to make sure I made my way home safely.  What a guy.  The store's great too.  You should go.

It was definitely Friday.  There was an Atlanta police officer at the entrance to the Lovett School as I went by, and traffic was stacked up as I got closer to town.  I was motivated, knowing that friends and family were waiting in Piedmont Park.  So I co-opted some sidewalks, negotiated room for left turns on busy streets, finally hit a green light at Piedmont Avenue and sailed into the park.

Yurman family back together.  Even if one of us
is camera-shy.

When I got to the gate at 10th Street and Charles Allen Drive, I got a cheer from the pals who came to help us ride the last nine miles.  Steve had taken the bus home while I rode, and came back with Matt.  It was a lovely group, family and old friends, some on bike and some not.  Thanks, guys.

So we rode home.  The ride was complete.  Thanks to everyone who read this blog and cheered us on.  Thanks to everyone who donated to Water Life Hope.  Thanks to everyone who helped us on the way -- Warm Showers hosts, random strangers and friends who showed everywhere.  Thanks.