A Little Fish in a Big Pond

In fact, there was a lot to take care of now that we had made it to Seattle. I had booked the red-eye flight that evening and still needed to get the box for my bike, print shipping labels, find a FedEx and pack my bike away. Not to mention, get myself to the airport. I’d organized picking up a box from a local bike shop about 2 miles from the park so I biked over there to pick it up and carted it back to the park. No easy feat. I’d offered to take one of the vans back to the airport, which was incredibly fortunate for me, too! It was surprisingly easy to say goodbye to my teammates. I think because I knew we were so connected through this shared experience, that it wasn’t in any way an ending. We would be in touch through the infamous GroupMe and all over Eric in the FB group to get him to finish his documentary. Speaking of, Eric - it’s been two years. Where is it?? 

We had parting words, then I threw all my stuff in the van (including Elli) and headed to the library to print off labels and boarding passes. The library was really neat!! It was SO large and had SO many books, and it was air conditioned. Sometimes its the small victories. After that, I headed to FedEx to box up my bike and send it on its way. First of all, packing a bike is very difficult for those who haven’t had to do it, but somehow Elli and I were all packed up and I said goodbye to the bike that had carried me so far. We grabbed Matt and headed to the hotel they were staying at where I gratefully was able to take a shower before heading to the airport. I said my goodbyes to Elli and Matt and took that ratchet food van to the airport. I don’t think the rental car return guy knew what to do with me. The van was absolutely wrecked - there was half a watermelon leeched in the floor, it reeked of sunscreen, sweat and old Subway and had grease stains all over. I must have pulled out 20 or so bags of goldfish that had been on top of, under, and in between seats. 

Rental guy: How did the rental work out for you? Me: Well, it got me across the country.

Rental guy looking over the van.

Rental guy: So, what exactly were you doing along the way? Me: {Insert 4K spiel here} Rental guy: Alright, we’re gonna need to open the windows before we go through this...biking, huh? So you weren’t actually in this thing along the way then. That’s good.

After removing my sweatshirt, my duffel bag was 0.5 lbs under the limit (hallelujah!). My flight was delayed, but I was far used to hiccups in plans by this time. And, eventually, I would get on my flight and fly all night through 3 time zones back to Baltimore. My 4K journey had come to an end.

One thing I realized in the next few days, was that there wasn’t really a time for reflection after the final day of the 4K. And it is a difficult thing to talk about with people who haven’t done it - don’t get me wrong, I could talk about the 4K for ever and to anyone if they asked. But if they did, I think they may have not realized what they were getting themselves in for. You know how sometimes people will tell a story, then say “I guess you had to be there”? Or even worse when they say they have a funny story and are laughing to themselves to tears and say, “well, it was funnier when it happened.” (Yes, I hate that, too.) Well, that, for the most part, is what its like trying to talk about the 4K. 

It was fortunate I had a new adventure in the form of my first post-grad job ahead of me. I had a lot to do before moving and beginning work and it certainly kept me distracted. But, that life and the 4K life are very different and I certainly missed 4K a great deal. 

I saw my Nonna not long after I had started my new job. She and my aunt were taking a cruise and it stopped in Bar Harbor, not far from where I was in Maine. So I took a day to go up to Acadia and see them. During the 4K, there were several times I was reminded of why I had decided to do it in the first place. From climbing what felt like the worst hills on day 2, to fighting horrendous wind and rain in Lake Lillian, from meeting complete strangers who would feed us or allow us into their homes, to kids who would share their s’mores with me around a camp fire. Then there were those who shared their connections to cancer with us; the survivors, fighters and memories we encountered along the way and the people and places we visited that were making a difference. From the nurse who played her guitar and sang to us like she did for patients in Minneapolis, to the Pams of the world, and the Camp Mak-a-Dreams and Hope’s Places. These people and their stories added to a place in my heart, a place that I could tap into on the ride when I needed it in the best and worst moments and many in between. A place where my Nonna’s life and so many others had already touched and thus, would touch these new additions and connect us all.  

Cancer is a battle no one chooses to undertake. When I first made my 4K profile, I wrote, “[w]hile there is nothing that can truly compare to battling cancer, I hope my journey across the country shows the commitment I have made to those fighting cancer. I will ride for those who cannot and will make steps towards ensuring no one faces cancer alone.” 

By sharing stories - stories of friendship, faith, love, courage - beautiful things can come from something so utterly horrible. If we don’t share experiences how can we grow and inspire and survive and make sure no one faces this alone?

To bend, to simplify, to open, to support, to encircle, to bond, to light. 

Our breakfast was amazing, but I could hardly eat for the excitement. Our group headed out early and were following Chey’s chalking along easily enough. A quick, hard stop downhill led to Dana breaking a nipple on her bike and a potential major delay. The circumstances were frustrating, and we had a ferry to catch! But, with the both of us, we managed to replace the nipple and tune her tire in less than 10 minutes. (You can get scary good at repairs on the 4K!) It was hard not to laugh in that moment; our journey had been plagued by tire repairs and it ironically fit that we could potentially miss the ferry for a broken nipple. 

You probably know we didn’t miss the ferry though. We made it with plenty of time to spare and lined up to get to the ferry, cheering, singing, dancing and general merriment abound. The ferry was somehow even more beautiful and special than it had been the last time I was on it. I guess a journey like this can do that to you. But the trip replayed itself in my mind, over and over, as the shoreline got closer and closer. We had our team cheer on the prow of the ship - one of the best cheers I think we’ve ever had and full spectacle for the rest of the passengers, too! 

I ran to the bathroom as we were docking and almost missed getting off the boat! Yikes! That would have been unfortunate... However, for once in our entire trip, we were early! And, as fortune would have it, we found a perfect place to pull off and regroup right next to Subway. Subway had been a staple in our diets across the country, so looking back, it shouldn’t have been surprising. Eric and I went exploring and met this guy with two awesome dogs, Pebbles and Booger. He worked for the National Park Service and we chatted for a long while before it was time to make our way through Pike’s Place. The final irony, had us at the bottom of a pretty large hill before the final finish. Kyle ran in front, American flag flying behind him, and we rode the final stretch of our journey cheers erupting among us.

Families, friends and strangers all greeted us at the end. Hugs and love were shared and (of course) tears for many - don’t worry, crying is 4KOK. Somehow, the team found our way back together and an anticipation-filled silence settled over the team. We slowly started rocking back and forth as we prepared for the final team cheer. What began as a group of 24 strangers had become a single voice that grew louder and louder until it echoed across the park and beyond and the last of our strength poured into it. The air burst with the final call of “who are we?” and Elli delivered a wonderful speech, complete with overwhelmed moments, and then we ran together for a final, huge, jumping hug. 

At the church, we were joined by Barry Sharry, many church members we hadn’t had the chance to meet the night before, as well as Jacob and his family. It was a beautiful dedication circle, inspiring us to get ready for the road. I had a few repairs to do on people’s bikes and then got my own bike ready to roll. It was expected to be a relatively mild day around 50 miles. We gathered on the steps for a team photo, and I can’t even remember what was so funny, but before I knew it, everyone was laughing and then it was time to go. A quick picture and goodbye with Nellie, and everyone lined up to leave town in a line together. 

Our team was led by two church members, Chet and Stephanie through town to a bike path on the other side. We even stopped for a quick second to look at this cool bike/car thing at the local co-op. Chey and I were in the back of the bike line and at some point we learned Adj had been left behind. Chey went back to get her so I started “chalking” for them using grass and sticks. A bit untraditional, but it worked! Eventually, they found their way back to us and groups were formed as Chet and Stephanie left us. My group was Chey, Adj, Elli and Barry! We started but, naturally, I needed to break a nipple before we really got underway. I fixed that and not long after we came up to a HUGE incline. I mean, it must have been more than 45º at least. And, I don’t know if I mentioned this, but I had not replaced the parts I picked up in Whitefish...so I was in my highest gear. Thus, as things go, I fell. It was the first time in a long time (since Erie, PA) I’d fallen and I might have been able to stop it, but I started laughing and didn’t even mind. I got back on and somehow made it up in third gear. That was painful, but felt weirdly right.

We continued on our way, over hills and through forests that reminded me a bit of Pennsylvania although felt much easier then Pennsylvania back on day 2, that’s for sure. It was relaxed and fun biking - one of the days where stories are freely exchanged and conversation flows easily. In addition, Elli’s sister, Hannah, was swimming at nationals today so we made a quick stop to watch on Elli’s phone and Hannah did very well! It was so exciting and more cause for celebration. We made it to the campgrounds pretty early and got settled. i went to the water and met this very nice mom and daughter and we talked for a while. I then hit the showers and took my time as it was going to be the last shower I would have until I was back on the East coast. However, by the time I was headed out, it was time for dinner and there was an even better surprise. 

KYLE!!!! Kyle had arrived and everyone was so excited :) it was so nice to see him and have him with us for our final night! The hosts were awesome, the food was amazing and spirits were high. Then we had our final pow-wow and eventually had a big fire built. Eric sniped our tent - don’t think I’d forget that, Eric - but Dana and I managed to find a new one and had it all set up before heading back out to the fire. Stories, libations, and joy were freely passed around the sparking fire and the water’s rocky shore. 

When I was little, I used to think that if I didn’t go to sleep then the days wouldn’t change. Like me going to sleep was the driving force behind the great clock of the universe. Well, I now know that unfortunately isn’t the case. But, nights like that one, I wish that it was up to me to decide if the days would progress. I might have stayed on that night for a while. 

At some point, I stopped counting how many days I had completed and started thinking about how many days left I had. Yes, there were moments when I was thinking about how many days I had left because I couldn’t wait to be finished. But, more often, I was thinking about how many days I had left because it meant I would be finished this journey, leaving my 4K family and going back to the “real world”. Today was a day that utterly bittersweet feeling really hit home. We’d made it to the Pacific Ocean and after riding out the high of that feat the day before, today we were getting one day closer to our final destination, Seattle.

Despite this thought, I was excited to get back on my bike. Adrienne, Elli, Jackie and Jaya were my teammates for the ride and I couldn’t wait! Today was our last century day with over 100 miles ahead of us. It was hilly, but mostly rolling hills, which was nice. We were getting ahead of other groups and that distance would only increase as the day progressed, until we decided to go unsupported. The route didn’t match up quite as we were expecting and we found out that one of the routes (Route 20) was not “bikeable” so it was time for some serious detouring. We stopped at a truck stop and were told that there was a bike trail going all the way to Port Townsend. Only we soon found out that it hadn’t been completed yet after we stopped at a huge lavender farm and talked to the woman who owned it. So, we hit the road and I couldn’t have been happier given how much I dislike lavender. We biked all the way to the intersection with Rte. 20 and had to stop. We were 92 miles into our century and couldn’t go any further. I was frustrated to say the least and looking for any way to get around this problem. 

{Enter Ben}

After several unsuccessful attempts at hitching a ride, we met Ben! I don’t know if I can do justice to how awesome Ben was, but he was this super nice hippie-bro driving a ratchet geo. Ratchet: defined as having no interior - a pillowpet a seat - a hypothesized original color of white that had turned to more rusty cream and self-made bike rack on the back. In another word, awesome. I don’t know how we made it but I was so grateful. I had found a detour only 1.2 miles up Rte. 20 and he dropped us off. He even said we should grab some tomatoes from his farm! 

I absolutely would have considered stopping for tomatoes, except when we reached where his house was, he had jumped on his bike and joined us! It was so funny and unexpected and really lightened our day even as the sun was going down. He left us when we reached a small co-op farm his girlfriend worked at and we said goodbyes. The sun was pretty much set at this point and the van was hunting us down to pick us up. I was a little against it since we were so close, but it was getting dark and the host was waiting for us with dinner. So we packed up, but not before we’re biked 106 miles :)