Larry's log:
This was it, that special day. Everyone seemed a little more giddy this morning. It was around 70 degrees, so there were no issues with heat or humidity. We got our flat day. This was real coastal plain, the only "hills" were overpasses.
As in days past, there were lots of trees, lots of pines today. We were shaded most of the day. The prettiest stretch was just after the town of Round-O, about 50 miles into the ride, on County Road 45. The trees were thick and the pavement was new and flat. It was moderate cycling at its best. I guess there is logging throughout this state, as I have still noticed logging trucks yesterday and today. Poultry is also an industry here, especially in the west. A day or two ago, we passed some large hatcheries, and several trucks bulging with chickens.
This being the last day, at least half of the group was riding together, sharing their final day together. The rest were scattered in front or behind, mostly in groups of two or three bikes.
Lunch was at Mile 75, in the shade, next to a church. To make sure no riders missed the event, one of the female riders enhanced herself with drinking cups under her jersey top, and wore her high heels that she had found at some previous rest stop (in the garbage?). It certainly got everyone's attention. Is there Prozac in her future?
They recommended we leave lunch in groups of two or three bikes, a few minutes apart, since the roads in the Charleston area would be narrow and crowded. I left with Judith and Daniel. We had already been riding together the entire day. We made good time through the outskirts of Charleston, across a couple of draw bridges linking islands to the mainland, to the regroup spot at Mile 101. This was six miles out of town. It was agreed that everyone would regroup here and ride the six miles to the end together.
We were the first ones there and waited about 50 minutes until the last bike was in and we were ready to roll again. Then, about 40 bikes rolled out of the parking lot onto the road, pretty much single file. The support vans stopped at several points along the way, hopped out of their vehicles, and snapped pictures. And they cheered us on! Cars going past in both directions honked at the site. I'm not sure they knew what was going on, but I guess they thought the big group all wearing matching jerseys was a neat thing. We riders were hooting and hollering as well.
It was neat crossing into Folly Beach, past the sign that proclaims it as the "Edge of America." How appropriate. A mile or two from the beachfront you could see the hotel reaching skyward. As we crossed the last few thousand feet to the hotel, we were greeted by riders' family members bearing flags and signs. Some had turned out to see their loved ones complete such as significant event.
We turned into the parking lot and rode as far as we could toward the ocean. Then we hauled our bikes down to the beach. It was a real celebration, as all of us riders stood in the ocean, our bikes held proudly above our heads for photographs or just for the heck of it! There were handshakes, congratulations and swimming all around. The water temperature was in the 80s, quite comfortable. And it was sunny.
Once things calmed down, those shipping their bikes home by air or UPS, headed to the support vans to disassemble and box their bikes. I guess at that point it hits you that it's really over! We hung around the beach for about an hour and caught a cab into town to pick up the rental vehicle we will drive back to Dallas. There was a banquet this evening, where we continued to mingle and celebrate together, received our commemorative plaques and recalled trip highlights.
So, there you have it. Just a few days ago, on a Georgia hill, a rider had told me we were "living the cyclist's dream" by pedaling every mile coast to coast. But I think one rider summed up our pride in completing this inaugural "Oregon Trail" PAC Tour with the words he read to us after dinner. I had mentioned that on one of the early days we had the option to visit an Oregon Trail museum. I didn't. He did. The words he read were written regarding the covered wagon pioneers, but seemed to apply equally well to these cycling pioneers,
"The experience marked their lives forever. The journey was a badge they wore till death."
-- Larry Schwartz
The last day!!!! Everyone seemed very excited at breakfast time. Plenty of cameras out taking final photos. The crew even photographed the pack as they left the motel parking lot. All riders were in their Oregon Trail bike jerseys for this last day.
The scenery was much of the same. Pine trees and sand. Very very flat riding. And there was little wind out. I took advantage of the rest stops to snap more photos of the group.
The final lunch stop at the church was nice. There were a few family members and friends who came out for it. And live entertainment was provided by one of the female cyclist in high heels and cups under her shirt!!
Daniel, Larry and I were the first pack of 3 to leave lunch and head to the final regroup rest area. The traffic thru Charleston was tolerable and we made good time. Other riders came along shortly after. Since we knew it would be a long wait for the entire group, some cyclists backtracked a block to the Dairy Queen for dessert.
Once the final riders appeared, we began the last 5 miles of the journey. Lead by South Carolina's Woody Graham, we headed east to Folly Beach. A few miles from the coast, Larry pointed out the motel to me. I became fixated on this building throughout the last leg of the trip. The crew would stop periodically to get out, take photos and cheer us on. At the beach, family members and friends awaited with signs and cheers.
What an emotional moment!! Larry and I took time to congratulate ourselves for making it every inch of the way. By that time, Daniel had hauled the tandem down to the beach and had it over his head!! We took plenty of photos and congratulated the riders for a great ride.
Then came the dismantling of the bikes and the room search. Larry and I spent the afternoon making phone calls, picking up the rental truck and swimming in the warm Atlantic ocean.
The final banquet was really nice. It was a great opportunity to spend one last time with the people who we had made this difficult trek with. Photo plaques were given to all riders and the map of the trip was auctioned off to the "tour doctor" for a donation to the charity of his choice.
It is hard to believe that it is all over with and we are not waking up before dawn for breakfast in the parking lot. This trip was tough but it was also the most rewarding adventure that I have ever done. What made it so rewarding was the fact that I biked every inch of the trip. And I had the opportunity to share this feat with loved ones.
Judith Jolly (and Daniel Schaaf)