Here is a summary of the 90 cyclists’ efforts in the Ride for Jim Yorktown Finale cycling event...
I can tell you that my Dad and Howard’s brother David, both who are dealing with lung cancer, were greatly touched by the love, care and concern of family members and the community. I will make the best of any cycling event but riding for a cause that hits so close to home is especially inspiring. And being able to celebrate Howard Smith’s finale ride across the US with him was so much fun! My little team, the Big Wheels, started out with just me as the sole member :). During the ride I was joined by Howard (Anderson), Carl and Kendra – my dear friends from my Bike Virginia tours, Jennifer – a new friend who joined my weekly Thursday night ride for the Richmond cycling club and who was doing her first long ride, and Mark Popp – brother of Jim Popp for whom the Ride for Jim is all about. It was a real honor to have Mark join us. He drove up from the Jacksonville, FL area to do the ride and was very happy to have a group of people to ride and talk with.
We were so fortunate with the weather. While it was quite hot and humid we had Pittsburgh-like cloud cover the whole way from Richmond to Yorktown, which made the ride so much easier. We rode primarily on the historic Scenic Byway Route 5. Route 5 parallels the north bank of the James River, has many historic plantations along the way, and is beautifully canopied by trees. We lunched in Colonial Williamsburg, always a treat! From Williamsburg to Yorktown we were on the Colonial Parkway, 14 miles of cobblestone road, which made the last part of the ride the most uncomfortable :). But it was well worth it. The post-ride festivities were awesome celebrating with Jack Haar and Howard Smith. Howard did a celebratory ride into the York River with cannonball blast from a Tall Ship in the distance.
All in all, it was a glorious day. Thank you again for your well wishes and support!
