Day 45.5 (6/15/22): I Rode My Bike to the Lincoln Memorial!

A very short blog for a very short, but really meaningful ride.

After fighting all that traffic on Monday, I decided to call it a day in Alexandria, VA on Monday and finish the rest of Monday’s ride today.  It also gave Tish and me the opportunity to ride together for the first time since California and in a really cool place.

As all of the D.C. monuments came into view as we crossed the Memorial Bridge, it was really an amazing feeling realizing I had ridden my bike here from home.  As I’ve said in the past, it’s just very hard to get my mind around that map that gets updated as I go.  It was a bit emotional.

We did a lap around the National Mall and then turned back to Alexandria where we had lunch with Deena, a high school friend who has been incredibly supportive during my ride.  I really enjoyed catching up and learning about her son’s exploits on the rugby pitch.

It was then onto Bethesda to my good friend Matt’s place for the next two nights.  Matt and Marcy have a beautiful home, and we’re looking forward to spending time with them.  One conversation I think I’ll always remember was more of a debate with Matt and Marcy’s daughter about whether Bruce Springsteen or Taylor Swift is a better songwriter/musician.  (You probably know where I and all of the other “older” people in the room came down on this one.)  Matt and I went to the Nationals game in the evening, and while the Nats didn’t put on the greatest show, it was nice having a beer and watching a game.  One of Matt’s friends had ridden across the country in 1985, so we had a lot of notes to compare.

What I’m Grateful for Today

If you’ve read any of my posts to this point, you know how much I value my long-time friends.  Actually seeing two in one day on this trip was really a treat.  Thanks Deena and Matt for making the time and your hospitality.