Today was just a whirlwind of emotion. We only had 10 miles today, so the ride was nothing but a dream. We woke up at 6, and had one last great crewchief breakfast…this time, we got to have as many banana’s or cereal or bagels as we wanted. We chowed down, know that this was it. 24 hours from now, we go our separate ways, never again being all together.
My paceline was decided a long time before today. Brad (UNC), Trent (Nebraska), Jeff (Kansas), and John (RIT). The five of us. They called us Super Best Friends Paceline, because we always rode together but never talked during our rides…we never needed to.
We started the ride, pretty easy, and carried through until we reached THE George Washington University, which was Stage up. We then cheered on the rest of the team as they arrived. As usual, we had to wait a half hour for the Trans team to show up, and a whopping 2 hours for the south team to show up…seriously, we know we are Varsity.
After a few pictures, and a tour of The GW Pi Kapps’ house, we started to get in arrival formation and headed to the Capital Building. As we approached, there was an army of spectators, cheering and noise from every direction…one of the coolest feelings I’ve ever experienced.
There were my parents and my family in their power blue T shirts with “Team Sean” directly displayed on them…I’ve never been so proud. Finally, we got to the Capital Building. It took 67 days, under 4000 miles, and a level of energy I have never reached before in my life.
Standing with the 100 or so cyclists, I saw all the families together, along with my own, and for once, I saw life with a little more clarity. I don’t know if I can describe that feeling. Sure it was a feeling of accomplishment, but it was more of a feeling of thankfulness, to all those that have help me get to where I am right then…all those that donated, those on my team that pulled me through tough terrain, but especially to my family who believed in me from day 1. We took a few pictures, paceline pics, team pics, and eventually met with our families and friends.
Thanks to my brother Neil, and his wife Rachel for being there, along with Sasha and my parents. I was also greeted by Alex Mitchel and Alan Willar and his sister Erica, friends from back home at Michigan. Finally, I got the chance to do what I was waiting for 67 days…to lift my bike over my head. Probably the closest feeling I’ll ever get to lift Lord Stanley’s Cup, but much more meaningful.
After a few speeches by Chad Coltraine (the CEO of Push America) and few others, we headed to our hotel for the evening. I quickly got changed and met up with the family and Michigan friends and walked over to some Irish Pub styled restaurant. They asked a lot of questions, which I answered just like usual. It still hasn’t hit me that it was over yet.
After dinner, we took a stroll down the National Mall, seeing all the great memorials, including the Lincoln and Washington Memorials. Not too long after, it was already dinner time and we headed back to the hotel for the Final Banquet.
The dress was business casual as it was told to us. The South team, decided to show up a little trashy with tanks…I guess that’s why they’re call the JV team. The banquet was pretty nice way to wrap everything up. They had a slideshow of good memories, along with a few awards. The entire time I was thinking of how it went so fast.
One banquet and a couple of cheesecake slices later, we departed and met in Drayton’s room for one last time as a team. We went around saying our goodbyes. Good thing I’m an engineer and don’t have any emotions, because if I wasn’t, I would have had tears pouring down my face. After a wrap of everything, we headed outside and onto a Party Bus/ Limo. Zak, the rider from Houston, dad is the owner of a Limo company and provided us a complimentary limo for the evening. We had a little fun driving all over Washington, before calling it a night.
That was it. 67 days. Less than 4000 miles. And one incredible journey. I don’t know what else to say. It’s been the time of my life, these past days. Never had I had such a feeling of accomplishment. But I do have one last thing to say…Thank you. Thank you for those that have been reading my blog and following me. It was those little comments you left after each entry, and those wall posts on facebook, and texts, that helped me get through the toughest days.
So what’s next? Tomorrow after brunch with my family, I leave for Traverse City, Michigan where I will be spending the next week with 3 of my best friends from high school, Jameson, Chris, and Brian. From tubing to putt putt, it’s going to be a nice break from reality. After a week of vacation, I’ll be finishing the differential equations class I was doing before my computer crashed, before I head back to Michigan. This semester will be a tough one, but its going to be especially great as I will be the upcoming Warden for the fraternity.
Until next time, and thank you,
Sean
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