Meeting Chris' Family

On Friday I finally got to meet the family of the officer I rode for when they were flown to DC for Police Week. I had spoken to Tracy a couple times and it was great to finally meet her along with her children Conner and Kaylee and their escorts from San Diego. I just wish it had been under more happier reasons. I presented them with wristbands I had worn in Chris' honor and memory from GA along with FLETC and agency patches and route sheets from the ride.  We sat and talked a while getting to known each other before I presented them with a flag flown off my bike from Ft. Hunt to the Pentagon. We said our goodbyes until we meet again. They gave me a memorial shirt Kaylee designed with Chris' EOW, badge number and initials. This one will not be worn but place in my collection of memories.
I also wanted to thanks some people for supporting me on the journey. My list of sponsors and supporters is long......my family, friends, the FCSO for the special assignment, Lustine Toyota, Fairfax EAC, The Fairfax Deputy Sheriff's Coalition 5016 and  FCSO Sheriff's Association and all the folks who purchased raffle tickets from me last fall.

Thank you again.

Day #12- Aquia, VA to the Pentagon-55+ miles

 Day 12 of my ride from FLETC to the Pentagon outside Washington, DC. Today was the last day of actual riding for the 2011 "Ride for Hope". At 0930, approximately 300 riders started out on the last part of the tour for this year. We rode up Route 1 with a big escort of motors and cruisers to hold the intersections for us. Many riders were tired from the 3 day trip from Chesapeake but they continued to ride their hearts out. Our first stop was at the Marine Corps Museum near Quantico, VA. This is always a favorite stop for all the "Devil Dogs" on the ride as the gather for pictures. After the break we road up through Prince William County past a warm welcome form the Eastern District of the Prince William County Police. Next up was Fairfax County and homebase for alot of the riders. We were met by the award winning Fairfax County Sheriff's Office Honor Guard at the county line. They looked very sharp coming off their win at the Police Week Honor Guard Competiton. Special thanks goes out to the FCSO civil enforcement branch who had all the intersections cleared for us from the county line to the GW Parkway.
After passing Mount Vernon, the home of our first president, we continued to Fort Hunt Park where were greeted by many familiar faces including many of the FCSO Command Staff. It was nice to see such support from my agency after being gone almost 2 weeks. The NOVA United Riders greatly appreciate the support we get every year from our agency. After a nice lunch, we headed up through Alexandria, VA and through the roundabout at the Memorial Bridge to the headquarters of the DEA for a piping in from the "Black and Gold" pipe and drum unit from DEA. They are a very impressive group to watch and listen to.

 We were on the bikes one last time "officially" as we rode over the the Pentagon for the arrival ceremonies. Were we cheered on by many family members and friends as we took those last few pedals. The riders were greeted by the Boards of C.O.P.S. and ODMP and checks were donated in the amount of 135,000 and 50,000 to each organization. Not bad for a bunch of LEs in only their second year. Once all the ceremonies were over, about 20 riders decided to ride to the memorial in an "unofficial" group. Due to politics we are asked not to ride to the NLEOM so we ride as individuals to pay our respects.  I found the name of the officer i rode from GA some 12 days ago on Panel 11 on the east side of the memorial. I made 3 etchings of his name for his family whom I will meet on Friday. After spending a few minutes to reflect on the ride, we headed back to our hotels and some of us back home.

Day #11 Richmond VA to Aquia, VA- 75 miles

 Today's leg of the 2011 "Ride for Hope" started off in Richmond, VA at 0830.  We traveled through the streets of Richmond with a police escort at a nice pace. Stretching out the legs after the 109 mile day on Tuesday. The first memorial stop was at State Police Headquarters in Henrico County where Officer Andre Booker was remembered. After leaving this stop we took a break in Doswell before stopping for the annual peanut butter and jelly sandwich and fresh strawberry lunch in Ladysmith. This is an LEU tradition. In Spotsylvania, VA we stopped to remember Deputy Dean Ridings who was a 2010 LODD, His son, who is a Spotsylvania deputy sheriff is riding with the LEU this year to honor his dad. From there the riders went to the Fredericksburg, VA police headquarters for a memorial to their officers. My mom and several of her friends were there to greet me when we arrived. It was nice to see familar faces. Next stop was Stafford County, Va and as everyone in LEU knows, Stafford County comes out in force to welcome us. EVERY intersection was covered with a deputy, overpasses had signs, and along Route 1 placards were placed with the name of each LODD from last year. The fire department had a flag hanging form a ladder truck at the entrance to the government center. Their ceremony included a wreath laying and "taps" played from the rooftop. From this point it was a 4 mile ride to the hotel and the last night most of us will stay together as we are close to home. Tomorrow we have a late start, as not to conflict with another group of cyclists from Florida using the same roads. We ride into Prince William, Fairfax, and Alexandria before finishing at the Pentagon.

Day #10 Chesapeake to Richmond, VA- 109 miles

 We started off this day assembling for the " Ride for Hope" in the parking lot to load suitcases and get the bikes ready. Everyone was scurrying around making last minute adjustments to their bikes. The LEU had a opening ceremony where we had a keynote address from a special agent from the FBI National Academy. The totals were read and LEU will be writing a check to C.O.P.S. for $ 135,000 for the camp and $ 50,000 to ODMP for the  webpage. Not bad numbers for a 2 year old organization of law enforcement officers. The ride started out at 0800 hours and we headed through Chesapeake, Portsmouth and Suffolk and throught the town of Smithfield. Every  year the children at a local elementary school come out the greet us. This year we stopped at the school and we took time to talk with the kids on a break. Lunch was served at a state park and then onto the James River Ferry. This year the ride had to be split up and 2 trips made because the larger ferries were down for service. We continued up through Williamsburg , Toano and into Richmond late in the afternoon arriving at the hotel at 1930 hours. After a late dinner we head off to rest for tomorrow. The ride tomorrow is from Richmond to Stafford County. A total of over 85 miles.
The cruiser picture I have posted is a memorial to the two Buchanan Va deputies killed earlier this year. It was flat bedded from SWVA to accompany us to the Pentagon.

Day 9- A day for rest.

Monday May 9th was a day of rest so the speak. The 400 members of Law Enforcement United were all converging on Chesapeake to get ready for the " Ride for Hope". Teams from Texas, New England, Minnesota, North and South Carolina, Virginia and New Jersey could be seen in the lobby. Bikes were being adjusted, registrations, medical, hotel info checked. My team from Fairfax arrived at mid morning. We were treated to a luncheon and then the LEU held their general meeting and election of new officers for 2012. Tomorrow was the big day and everyone appeared ready for the ride to the Pentagon. We find out the totals for contributions to C.O.P.S. and ODMP.

Day #8- Edenton, NC to Chesapeake, VA- 103 miles

We rode out this day with the sunny skies gone and clouds everywhere. The rains came quickly and we continued on. The riders had sporadic escort in the driving rain.  We were able to maintain a 17 mph pace over the 100 miles even with the rains. When we reached the Currituck Ferry we were met by a Chesapeake Police Officer who rode this route last year. He had brought us lunch which was a unexpected treat. after the ferry ride the skies cleared up and we continued to the hotel. We had ridden over 800 miles together without an accident. With less than 1/2 mile to go, several of the riders tangled and two riders went down. One of the riders ended up at the hospital. Fortunately, he was just bruised and road rashed. He was cleared to ride on Tuesday.
Tomorrow is a rest day with everyone converging on the hotel.

Day 7- Kinston, NC to Edenton, NC - 103 miles

 Well today marked our 7th day on the long ride from FLETC in Brunswick, GA. We have become a group who did not know each other at all in the beginning to one that can move down the road as a unit at a whopping 18+ mph average over 100 miles. Today we held 3 memorials for officers who gave their lives for different communities in Pitts County, Greenville and Edenton. The people down here really hold these men in high regard and honor their memory. We stopped in one small town where the local police and sheriff and town civic board welcomed us to their community. They thanked us for taking the time to remember them and the civic group make home made food for us to snack on. Several times local law enforcement officers joined us to ride our route. When we entered Edenton, NC both the Sheriff of Chowan County and the Chief of Police of Edenton rode with us. We had hoped for a sprint to the finish line but to no avail. After a brief memorial service along the water, we were treated to a Fried Chicken dinner. Tomorrow is our last day before arriving in Chesapeake. We will be going our separate ways as some head home and others stay to ride the LEU "Ride for Hope".

Day 6 -Wilmington, NC to Kinston, NC- 88 Miles

Bob Newsham

Dan Sosa

On day number six the FLETC Long Riders left Wilmington, NC under clear skies and a tail wind for a change. We went up Route 17 with a police escort until we stopped near Topsail Beach where we picked up more escorts from area jurisdictions. After entering Onslow County we stopped and were joined by the local chapter of the Blue Knights MC and a local bicycle club. There were two really interesting bicyclists in the group. Bob Newsham aged 70 years and Dan Sosa aged 79 years young. Dan rode his first century last Monday (100 mile ride) after having a hip replaced. Next week when the rest of the guys get to the LEU ride I hope they will remember the accomphishmants of these men. Bob rides with the name of a police officer killed on 9/11 painted on his bike. We stopped along Route 17 where Deputy Steve Boehm and a Varona firefighter lost their lives in 2008 when they we hit by a tractor trailer while directing traffic. The ride stopped for lunch at Onslow County Sheriff's Office Headquarters in Jacksonville. After lunch we rode to Kinston, NC where we encountered rain showers about 4 miles. We tried to outrun the storm by riding at 27 mph pace but came up short. At the hotel, the mayor of Kinston and members of the local law enforcement memorial association greeted us at the hotel. all told...88 miles at a 18.7 mph pace.  Tomorrow we have a 100 mile day planned with a finish in Edenton, NC.

Day 5-North Myrtle Beach, SC to Wilmington, NC-97 miles

Today we got on the road at 0640 hours and a whopping 45 degrees. With riding at a 20 mph pace the wind chill was down in the 30s. We crossed the sate line into North Carolina at about 0715 and stopped for a picture. After on rest stop we continued to Boiling Springs Lakes, NC where we stopped to honor one of the fallen officers. They had prepared us a bag lunch and sent us on our way. We traveled to a ferry crossing and rode water transport to a landing near Kure Beach, NC. Once back on solid ground the FLETC Long Riders and several local police officers rode to the place where Wilmington Police Officer died in a pursuit in February 2009. His name is Rick Mathews and he rode the long ride in 2008. He had a moment of silence at the place he died and we next travled to the Wilmington Police headquarters for a bigger memorial and wreath laying. The local news covered the service. From the headquarters the riders went to the hotel and called it a day after 97 miles. The next two days will be over 100 miles each day.

Day#4 Georgetown to North Myrtle Beach-82 miles

Well today marks the midway point of the FLETC Long Ride. We started out the day with a short ride from the hotel back to the Georgetown Police Department we were treated once again to the hospitality of this nice community. The Chief of Police treated us to breakfast of scrambled eggs, ham/sausage biscuits, and GRITS!
This is a very small department and they were gracious hosts. One of their captains was in the kitchen at 0600 to get this ready for us. Thanks again!
 After breakfast we held a memorial wreath laying in their lobby with a few words form the Chief and our traveling chaplain Eddie Hill from Horry County, SC Sheriff's Office. Eddie is a great man and has rode with us from Brunswick GA. We left and stopped at a nursing home to visit Mrs Doris Scarbough- Owens who's father, Henry Scarborough was the first LODD in Myrtle Beach in 1949. He was on his first day on the job in a borrowed uniform and gun and was killed by a prisoner on a transport within the first 8 hours on the job.
After leaving the nursing home it started to rain on us but thankfully only briefly. We arrived at the Myrtle
Beach in a drizzle and they greeted us with cheers and clapping. Their honor guard placed a wreath at the memorial to their LODD officers. We were then off to Horry County where we encountered the worst head winds of the trip a sustained 20 mph wind which is very difficult to ride into. We all took turns leading the pace lines for the 14 mile trip to Horry County, After lunch and ceremony at the courthouse, we headed in the direction of North Myrtle Beach and a nice hotel on the beach. Tomorrow we go towards Wilmington, NC a ride of approximately 108 miles.

Day#3 North Charleston to Georgetown, SC-119 miles

Well day number three started off very well. We were escorted over the Arthur Ravenel Bridge. This is a new suspension bridge that is bike friendly. We were joined by members of the Manning SC Police Department who road with us from the start to almost Georgetown. They will rejoin us in Chesapeake for the LEU ride to DC. We traveled onto Munck's Corner, SC and Berkley County Courthouse where we met members of SC C.O.P.S. who's president is the mother of Trooper Mark Coates who was killed in 2002. Lunch was served by the F.O.P. which was very nice.
We traveled from Munck's Corner to Georgetown where we were greeted by the Chief of Police Paul Gardiner. The police department served us dinner and the chief actually served us sweet tea and cleared dinner dishes! Ahh the south, you would never see that up north. Desserts were made by survivor family members. Tomorrow morning we don't have to leave till 0720. The Georgetown PD is hosting us for a southern breakfast with grits!

Trooper Mark Coate's Mother

 After breakfast, we head off to Horry County, Myrtle Beach, and North Myrtle Beach

Day#2- Hardeeville, SC to North Charleston, SC

Daisy Fresh after 60 miles

Today was the second day of the long ride from FLETC to DC. We started at 0630 and headed north on Route 17 towards Ridgeland, SC. We are traveling unescorted today so instead of riding two by two, we have to ride in a pace line for almost 90 miles. The roads are not very smooth and we spent a lot of time dodging rim busting potholes all day long. We had a total of 7 flats for the day. A long ride tradition was fulfilled when the first rider of the day flatted the first of 6 flats for this one rider. He has to buy the liquid refreshment for everyone tonight. Several of the riders had to get in the support vehicles for various medical reasons. We finished up the day in North Charleston at 1630 hours. Total ride mileage for today was 111 miles. Tomorrow we head up the coast towards Georgetown, SC. We will have more memorials starting tomorrow until we reach Chesapeake on Sunday afternoon.

Day 1-FLETC to Hardeeville, SC-101 miles

The first day of the "Long Ride" started at 0630 at FLETC, Brunswick, GA. We had a short memorial service at the FLETC Chapel and Memorial Wall and were piped out by a Border Patrol bagpiper. We rode out of FLETC and headed north through several small towns and worked our way to Bryan County GA for a memorial for a officer killed in 2006 by a drunk driver. We were greeting by his widow and the President of C.O.P.S. in Ga who drove from Atlanta to be there. We continued  north to a F.O.P. lodge where we were treated to lunch. The afternoon portion of the ride took us through Savannah, GA with the huge Oak trees with Spanish Moss hanging from them. We crossed into South Carolina at approximately 1600 hours and finished up today's leg in Hardeeville, SC. Total mileage for the day was 101 miles.

NO Peaches but alot of "No See Ums"

Well Saturday morning at 0415 Juan, Sandy and I left Garrisonville to join the FLETC " Long Ride" of the LEU which starts in Brunswick, GA. We had a safe trip and arrived at 1300 hours at FLETC. We stayed at the dorm on the site and had dinner with the team of 18 others at Pam's #1 a "world famous" dining establishment. Tomorrow we start the long ride with the first leg from FLETC to Hardeeville, SC.