Hopkins 4K for Cancer

June 3, 2002

Day Two (67 miles) Waynesboro, PA to Bed
We all thought we were sore last night. This morning involved a lot of stretching, rubbing, and the overpowering odor of Bengay and Icy Hot. It was the first time getting back on the bikes and while our spirits were high, our rears were tender. Soon, the initial discomfort was gone and we were cruising through the Pennsylvania countryside on a crisp, sunny morning. Everyone was clipping along at a nice pace and one group of riders happened to meet the local police chief of Mercersburg. He arranged for the local newspaper to show up and take some pictures and ask the riders some questions for a front-page article.
We had one tough mountain right before lunch. It was 3.5 miles at 8% grade, but it was fun pounding that out and then enjoying the expansive view at top. We had a nice picnic lunch, rested for a while (maybe too long), and then headed out, ready to attack the next mountain looming in the distance. We crossed several more ridges, crawling up on side and flying down the other. About ten miles outside of Bedford the sky began to darken and our stomachs began to growl. Everyone kicked it into high gear and made it to The Village Church as it started to drizzle. Except for Jenn.
Jenn pushed ahead, but missed the turn we needed to take. We prepared dinner and all the other riders got in alright, but just as people started to get worried, Jenn casually strolled in showing little sign of the concern we all felt. Apparently, a kind lady met Jenn at a gas station and drove her to several churches in town until she saw David Courson jogging near our church and arrived safely. We used the large kitchen provided by the church to make huge batches of pasta and garlic bread. We even got to shower at a local high school, and everyone happily fell asleep within minutes.

-Dan O’Reilley