Day 3 - Somerset to Everett

Last night we ate as a team in Somerset, PA and had some healthy fish and vegetables. We talked about the beauty of the land we had crossed over, the children we had helped inspire, and laughed at many of the funny and quirky things that happened. Pops gave a resounding toast and we began to go over the logistics for the day ahead- 50 mile hilly bike ride to Everett and assembly at Everett Elementary School. Danielle Sunday filled us in on the details. Once we reached Everett we would be welcomed on a bike by the school's Principal and then the Chief of Police would escort us through the town and according to Danielle we would have a big surprise once we reached the Elementary School. That's all she said......We all became curious.

Gary and Dorie Blacksmith (the advance team) gave us the frigid news that it would be near freezing in the morning at 7am when we took off from Somerset. So some of us made a pit stop at WalMart on the way home for some mittens, and ear warmers.

Up early at 6am we assembled for breakfast at the Comfort Inn Somerset (nice place). I loved having the Bear Naked granola (Kellog company) for breakfast with some Muscle Milk. Packed with protein and energy. Yummy. We tried our best to get psyched as we looked at the people outside using ice scrapers on their windshields! The bank sign across the street flashed 34 degrees Fahrenheit. Time to layer up. Thankfully I had gotten those mittens.

It was Mike Montgomery's first day riding, and he had his game face on. Even at 7am he donned his "Terminator" shades and tried his best to intimidate Ellen, laying claim that he would be King of the Mountains today. Ellen was not shaken by his bravado and she said "I am going to hammer you with my SPARK skills." Jeff stayed out of the trash talking but I could see his mind working and he wanted in on the King/Queen of the Mountains title too.

Mike took off like a bat out of hell, Jeff and Ellen following in fast pursuit. I let them go and helped my Dad get his bike ready, heart rate monitor on. And reminded him not to allow his heart rate get over 150 on the hills. I took off a few minutes later and felt the freezing air on my face and quickly could not feel my toes or my fingers. I don't wear socks when I cycle. Refuse too. I would rather do that and have frozen feet. I think it is the triathlete in me. Those mittens and ear warmers sure helped though.

I caught the group just before the first short climb and I pedaled behind as Mike charged up the first hill put his hands in the air and screamed "Yes! 5 points. Mark it!" Ellen and Jeff were still sizing this guy up with his Terminator sunglasses. We continued to push the pace, and were clearly making much better time than the past two days. Being on the pavement vs. the trail makes a huge difference. If we kept up this pace we would make it to Everett with time to spare. We passed by a sign for Shanksville 4 miles, and I was reminded of the tragedy that had occurred so close by when Flight 93 crashed just over 8 years ago. I couldn't help but imagining amongst these tranquil and quiet fields, a 747 screaming overhead. I took a moment to reflect and remember.

The frigid weather was biting and even though the sun came up the temperature did not. The views over the rolling hills, fields, barns and silos were spectacular. I crossed a Tractor Crossing sign with just a yellow diamond sign with a Tractor on it. Awesome! We saw the massive Allegheny Mountain climb up ahead and we all prepared ourselves for the effort to the top. Mike again took an early charge, I watched him go and stayed steady, Ellen and Jeff hanging on. It was a LONG climb, and I passed Mike near the top and over the crest. Behind us was Ellen and then Jeff.

From there is was expansive views out over the valley below, full of farmland and changing trees making it a mosaic of Fall colors- greens, browns, reds. Spectacular! Huffing and puffing, sweating under those many layers we all stopped to take it in. What followed was a huge downhill. What goes up, must come down. That is the reward for a good climb. We raced down the mountain and hit 50 mph. We were bombing down that hill like a healthy kid with a firecracker. At the bottom of the hill we reached the town of Man's Choice and passed a store called Guy's Hardware. No joke. Where do they come up with this stuff? Ellen shook her head begrudgingly.

We made such good time in the morning, that we reached the outskirts of Bedford (ten miles from Everett) by 10am. The police escort and Principal were meeting us in Everett at 1pm, so we had some time to stop and warm up a bit. The Penske trucks pulled off at a gas station and we rested and refueled with Kegels produce and Lifestyle Healthy Food packs. My Father took the liberty (unbeknownst to me) to bring along a few cardboard cutouts of me that the military commissary services had made this past year in a healthy lifestyles campaign. These things are life size and a use a photo from the Malibu triathlon race last year. He used this moment to bring them out, and stood them up next to the Penske truck at the entrance to the gas station. Ellen and Mike conducted an interview with (flat) me and I was thoroughly embarrassed. Well, Dorie Blacksmith has one at home and has it in front of her treadmill for motivation. So I suppose if it motivates, why not?

It finally started to warm up at bit by this time in the day, and we removed some layers. The sun was shining brightly. The ride to Everett was enjoyable and just as we crossed the bridge into the town, we saw the Chief of Police and the Principal awaiting our arrival. We exchanged greetings and they told us that we were still a bit early, and some hairdressers invited us in to see their shop. They wanted a photo with Dan the Video man. I mean why not?

Five police officers were there with two police cars to escort us through the town of Everett. The Principal was talking with people at the school, and we all looked around at each other wondering what was awaiting us. All in our ORBEA jerseys, Jeff, Dad, Ellen, Mike and I rode with the Principal through town. People waved and said hello. As we approached the school, we heard music, I looked over at the Principal and he smiled. "Hope you like our Band", he remarked. WOW! They brought out their High School band to welcome us to the school. I got chills as we rode in and saw over 500 screaming elementary school kids, teachers, the high school band, the local AAA baseball league mascot Steamer, and a welcome sign. Mike looked over at me and said "This is incredible!"

We quickly went behind the Penske truck and changed into our Under Armour warmups and PA Health Ride shirts, and came running back out to charge up the crowd. The mascot for Everett is the Warrior. So to start it out I had the kids give me their loudest Warrior yell. They must have heard that scream all the way in Philadelphia. 500 children screaming is loud (even outside). The routine with Whoa, Slow, Go went over well. One little girl told me she eats spinach every night. They cheered for water as a Go! and in response I poured water in my mouth and on my head. One of the children got the answer of 1 hour (60 minutes) of recommended physical activity per day, and was able to show me where to feel their pulse on their carotid and over their heart. I was impressed. Not bad for a 1st grader!

Ellen from SPARK led her fantastic dance routine, and we ended with a boot camp routine full of jumping jacks, running in place, and hitting the deck. REI donated a bike, and the kids watched in eager anticipation as the Principal pulled the lucky name from the raffle. The little girl who won, Jennifer, was so adorable and smiled large next to the bike. "I can't wait to ride this every day with my mom!" she said. That is the point in the day that I felt the greatest.

As the children filed out I gave them high fives, and we danced to the music. A reporter from the Bedford paper came up to ask some questions. Her first was, "Why did you choose to come to Everett? No one ever comes here." I told her that is the exact reason that I was there. Because I grew up in small town PA, and am passionate about reaching out to the children out on the ground, in the small towns, in the urban areas, all across the state. People in government can talk a big game. I'm more about being out in the field, and doing.