Climate Ride Day 5- Taking on DC!

Despite today being our grand finale, we still had a long 70 miles to trek from Reiserstown, MD into D.C.

I left as soon as the route opened- a few hills in the morning had me questioning if I was going to make the 5th day without some assistance.

But after the first 20 or so, the route flattened and adrenaline kicked in. We had to meet at the boat house 4 miles outside of the capitol by 3:15, and we (some equally exhausted riding partners and I) rolled in at 3:00.

Then a police escort took us right up to the Capitol Lawn, I rung my bike bell and cheered the whole way- I made it!!

Then we had a few speakers- the President of the American League for bicyclists, and Senator Whitehouse from Rhode Island. They were positive, supportive, and optimistic about future legislative decisions regarding Climate Change and environmental policy.

Sitting on the lawn afterward, everything else for a while will seem so anticlimactic. 200 bike riders collectively rode about 320 miles in five days and raised over $500,000 dollars for over 50 incredible organizations.

For me in particular, I completed my first EVER multi day ride. By the second day, I had ridden farther than ever in my life in a week- then I went on for another three days. I raised over $2,400 for some well-deserving organizations and met some great people along the way!

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