Katherine Pickett

On Saturday, June 14, I fulfilled my commitment to ride 65 miles as part of Bike MS: Chesapeake Challenge. Two days before that, I reached my fundraising goal of $1500!

I have been calling this a self-supported ride, because I was not able to go to Easton, Maryland, and join the 350 other riders taking part in this year’s Chesapeake Challenge. Instead I designed a route that I could access from my home, and I rode it alone.

But it wasn’t entirely self-supported, and thank goodness. I might not have completed it if it was.

The day did not begin with an auspicious start. I awoke at 5:30 a.m. and was on my bike at 6:30 as planned, but just two-tenths of a mile away from the house, I realized I had a flat tire. I had aired it up the night before; I’m still unsure if I aired up a deflating tire or if I somehow managed to pop the inner tube while airing it up.

Once I discovered the flat tire, I headed home to fix it. My husband stepped outside to help. He was officially SAG support. Together we changed the tire, and I was back on the road by 7 a.m. After that I had no more problems with my tires or gear.

My first stop was a solo rest stop at mile 12.5, just inside the District. I enjoyed some Gatorade and a pretty view before getting back on my bike. I entered Rock Creek Park via Morrow Drive and headed south almost as far as the National Zoo. At mile 17 I turned back north again.

I helped myself to a bathroom break at mile 21, then set my sights on the first staffed rest stop. My husband and two daughters were going to meet me on the route at mile 28 (Beach and Knowles), bringing cold water, Cliff bars, and smiles to help keep me going.

I’d been on the road for two hours by the time we connected, and I was so happy to see their faces!

I continued north on Beach, jogged around along Dewey back to Rock Creek Trail, and found the Matthew Henson Trail. I was about to enter new territory. On this leg I also called an audible: I would avoid the worst hill of the entire route by adding miles on the Matthew Henson Trail and, once I rejoined the RCT, by hewing closer to Lake Needwood.

I was thankful to have the Footpath app on my phone for this new leg. I checked it multiple times to make sure I was on the right trail and could find my way to my next rest stop. Another friendly face was waiting for me at mile 40.

Weeks ago I had asked if any of my friends were interested in serving as a rest stop on my route. The intrepid Amy Moore agreed. I arrived at her house at just about 10:45. Amy had some refreshments waiting for me: more ice water and a peanut butter sandwich — on toast! Plus a bit of air conditioning. Talk about deluxe!

Humidity was high throughout the day, but temperatures were pleasant for most of the ride. With the protests planned throughout Maryland and DC, I had worried about crowds on the narrow paths, but it seemed most people stayed away from the parks and stuck with the protest routes. I counted my blessings for the good weather and clear paths.

The next 25 miles were the hardest of the day. I had no more staffed rest stops and no one would be at my house when I returned. Although my “SAG crew” had wanted to celebrate with me, my younger daughter had a softball game scheduled just at the time I would be returning home. So I only had myself to count on.

My next planned stop was at mile 55, retracing my route past the restroom in Rock Creek Park. My legs had other ideas, however. The back of my left leg had been lightly hurting for a good portion of the ride, and by mile 47 I couldn’t ignore it. I stopped to stretch (Beach and Knowles redux) and have more Gatorade, then got back on my bike.

Almost immediately my leg was hurting again, and I began to think of a possible reroute. In just a few miles I would be at a point where I could join Forest Glen Road and be home with 55 miles under my belt. That was respectable and possibly the smart thing to do. I would have to climb an awful hill (Newcastle to Linden Lane, near the Washington DC Mormon Temple), but the ride would be over sooner.

But then I had a better idea. If I was thinking of ending the ride early, I should first do whatever I could to get my leg back. So at mile 50, I pulled over, rested, and stretched my leg again.

I took more time to stretch, read some encouraging messages from friends and family, and got back on the bike. I found a different way to position my foot to avoid aggravating the tendons behind my knee. I bypassed the shortcut and committed to riding the full 65 miles.

After a pit stop at mile 55 and another stop at Joyce Road for Gatorade and the last bites of my Cliff bar, I was ready to leave Rock Creek Park: 57 miles down, 8 to go. It was 12:12 p.m.

Crossing back over from Rock Creek to Sligo meant climbing up two tough hills (one of which I walked up for the last tenth of a mile; sometimes it’s better to save your legs) and down another tough hill.

Some people underestimate the downhills. Maple Avenue in Takoma Park has 5-mile-per-hour speed bumps for its entire length and ends with a traffic light. It takes a lot of concentration and control to get down, not an easy feat when you’re exhausted. I was thankful I was able to hold on and manage the bumps in the road.

The return from Maple up Sligo Creek Parkway is almost entirely uphill or flat. But it’s also the most familiar part of the trip, and I was happy with the progress I was making. With just over 2 miles to go, however, my left leg was hurting again. I started to envision my arrival home, and I made a decision. I needed to stretch again. I did not want to limp across the finish line.

That decision was helped by two factors: I was making great time, and no one was waiting for me on the other end.

The break did me good, and I was able to finish the next two miles without much discomfort. I was wrong about one thing, however.

Someone was waiting for me.

My older daughter decided to stay home from the softball game so that someone would be there when I arrived. She heard the chairs crash as I rode through the finish line, and she came out to meet me.

My total mileage was 65.95 miles. Total pedaling time was 5 hours 15 minutes. Time door to door was 6 hours 10 minutes.

Most important to me, I completed my goal and helped an amazing organization in the process.

My sincere thanks to all who donated time, money, and energy to this endeavor. When I came down with a virus and still had $400 to raise just a week before the ride, I doubted my ability to complete. Because of you, I reached both of my goals!

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Didn’t get a chance to donate before the ride? It’s not too late! Visit my Bike MS page and make a donation today!

Already donated? Get your copy of my new novel Debra Lee Won’t Break and follow Debra Lee’s journey as she trains for the Chesapeake Challenge.