Day 7 – National EMS Memorial Bike Ride – 2009

Long day today – 94 miles to Roanoke. We head out at 7am with some nice weather for the day. We’ll all looking forward to the end so we can have some relief of the biking pain – but – we don’t want to end due to the camaraderie that has developed. We have over 160 people involved in the ride representing 30 states and two countries (Ireland & Canada). We have spent the week together listening to each others stories – the happy ones and the sad ones. We have taken care of each other – each have encouraged each other – we have laughed together and cried together. The Memorial Services take a toll on each of us – but we gather around each other and male it though – remembering and sharing the lives that we remember. We held one last Memorial Service in Buchanan, VA before we ride to Roanoke. One of our riders, George, plays the taps and we remember on more.

On to Roanoke, it a tough long ride – many SAG here and there due to the soreness and heat. We all meet up in Hollisdale, VA for the last leg of the ride. We meet up with the Kentucky riders. At 5pm we all line up for the last 8 miles – a parade format with numerous EMS, Fire and Police escorts. We ride in to meet the family and friends of those to be remembered. It’s a solemn moment ….

We are greeted well – we congratulate each other – hugs and handshakes around. We meet some to the families of those to be remembered – tears & hugs – but always smiles and appreciation. Photos abound and then off to a nice long hot shower. We finish with a dinner by a local service and then everyone is off to a nice long rest.

Tomorrow - Saturday, there’ll be the Memorial Service.

Day 6 – National EMS Memorial Bike Ride – 2009

This morning we woke up to some beautiful morning weather – temperature bearable – we all wore long clothes at first but the temperature got warm enough but ride time that we where down to our shorts & bike shirts. It’s all downhill this morning – but not before a lot of hill climbing – 26 miles to the first stop with all but 5 miles of uphill it was down hill. Speeds approached 40 mph down through the southern section of Skyline Drive. We had one accident on the down hill resulting in a rider going to the hospital via ambulance – although no worse for wear he did get scrapped up a bit and ended up with 40+ stitches to put his chin back together. I spent the afternoon with him at the hospital and then got back on the road latter in the afternoon. It’s a testament to the ride that everyone is committed to ride – this biker was back on the road the next day.

The weather is hot and we had a few have to SAG out due to heat exhaustion. We all band together and take care of each other – graciously – without issues. We are a family and we all ride as once.

Rod is doing fantastic – he has ridden all but 18 miles – Ask him about his conversation with the cows. I don’t know if it was the heat or if it’s just Rod wanting to talk to cows. I had to SAG for some to some soreness down there. Everyone has the same issues – it’s not the difficulty in the ride – is the ass & crouch pain from having a little seat shoved up your butt.

The day ended well – everyone is exhausted & hurting – but they all keep on and persevere. Excellent dinner by a local service – off to rest for the next day.

Day 5 – National EMS Memorial Bike Ride – 2009

Tough day today even though we started at about 8am. We rode in parade format for 27 miles into Front Royal, VA. This is the start of the Skyland drive climb. For those that wanted to try – it was a 41 mile ride/climb onto Skyland Drive – a high altitude ride through Shenandoah National Park rising to 3800 ft. This ride is composed of a constant climb of 34 miles with two steep declines totaling 9 miles. There were those that tried, those that chose to SAG. Rod & I chose to climb. We stated about noon and climbed and climbed and climbed. Rod was successful finishing the 41 miles. I SAG-ed out at mile 20 because I couldn’t handle the ass pain any more - disappointing but a lot better than last year. We had a nice evening at the Shenandoah National Park Lodge. We had a memorial service at the top for one of our fellow bike riders from last year – whose life was ended earlier this year.

Day 4 – National EMS Memorial Bike Ride – 2009

Today was a short mileage day – 12 miles – but a very emotional and productive day. We began the day with a 2 hour vehicle drive to a Capitol Heights, MD. There we attended a Memorial Service for four people that died in a helicopter crash in September 2008 - check a news item at : www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/local/051909_helicopter_crash_victims_remembered

Bag pipes greeted the 150 bicycle riders as we rode into the park where the crash occurred. Attending was the State Police (Bicycle Team / Motorcycle Team), EMS, Fire, National Park Police Bicycle Team, and Mounted Police, along with many high ranking EMS, Police, and Fire officials. After the first ceremony, we paraded to the crash site and honored those that died. During the ceremonies it’s hard not to feel the loss and to shed some tears. The service finishes with he taps – a very solemn closing.

From there we, in parade format, were escorted 10 miles to Washington DC by numerous Police Services – not stopping at any intersections or stop lights. Some of the riders choose to ride the rest of the day. Some previously set up appointments with their Congressman/Senators. The NorthStar crew met with an aid for Congressman Michaud, an aid for Senator Snowe and actually met with Senator Collins. We had two purposes for these meetings: (1) support legislature for provide death benefits for LODD for non-governmental service (which includes NorthStar) and (2) support a $10 million budget item for Emergency Actions. Senator Collins was very supportive of our mission. The day ended with a drive again to Woodstock VA, for an awesome southern dinner. Tomorrow we ride the climb up into Skyland Drive, Shenandoah National Park.

Day 3 – National EMS Memorial Bike Ride – 2009

By Rod: Day 3 was a very rewarding day. My first 100 mile bike ride .Also known as a century. We rode the entire state of Delaware in honor of 2 medics lost last year. Both were outstanding young women killed at the height of their career. They were also the first Line of Duty Deaths in the state of Delaware. Every where we rode today we were escorted by ambulance and rescue. In Dover, we were honored to be invited to a service in with the Governor who issued a proclamation in the woman’s name. I could not have asked for a better day to ride - perfect weather, flat road and no potholes. Tomorrow we go to Washington DC and meet with Senator Collin and Rep Michaud in and effort to convince them to vote for a bill to give death benefits to EMS Line of Duty Deaths. Similar to what fire and police have. Then off in to the rolling hills of Virginia. Thank all of you for your thought and prayers.
Carl: Off the rode today due to illness. Feeling better and ready to go for the rest of the ride.

Day 2 – National EMS Memorial Bike Ride – 2009

The ride was 97 miles today. We started in NJ this morning about 7:15 am. Today’s weather included wind, rain and cold – but we kept on and finished today’s ride. We had some logistics problems again – due to last minute construction with road closures. We finally figured it and all went well. We attended another service in PA at the Second Alarmers (Fire/EMS house). The after noon went so-so – it seemed like we went up a lot of hills. We had a 30 mile Police / Fire escort (parade format) through PA, then a 12 mike escort through Philadelphia. We had dinner at the Collingdale Fire House (awesome food / deserts) then to the hotel. I’m a little disappointed with Rod because he wouldn’t help me the my Butt Butter - I guess I’m going to have t find a new room mate. Tomorrow is another long day – 97 miles and they’re telling us to dress warm – morning temps in the 40 - only getting up to the mid 50s. We will keep on riding. Blaine – ask George about him getting attached by a goose!

Day 1 – National EMS Memorial Bike Ride – 2009

Morning role call at 6am with a proposed start of 7am. Morning thoughts and prayers for the riders and the remembrance of a few EMS provides by fellow crew members. Off to a slow start this morning dealing with some logistics issues – got started 2 hours late so it was a push push day. We had some sprinkles – not a major problem. We were under Police escort as we rode through NYC – down through Times Square to the Staten Island. We rode through Staten Island and on down to NJ by riding over the Outer Crossing Bridge – crossing the Hudson River. This major thoroughfare was closed down completely while the Muddy Angles crossed. We attended a Memorial Service in Perth Amboy – a very somber service. The ride continues on to Somerset, NJ for the night. The Somerset Hospital EMS Service hosted a very nice dinner for use. Total miles for the day: 79 miles. Carl blew a tire during the last stretch so sagged out the last 20 miles. The tire is fixed and ready to go tomorrow.