Day 3.  As we entered Fairfax county, where a majority of the riders were from we had the Fairfax County Police Departments helicopter on us for Air Support and doing drive bys with a camera, can't wait to see those pictures.  We rode into DC and stopped on the Memorial Bridge in a 2x2 formation with all of the motors ahead of us in a wedge to get pictures.  We rode to the final stagging area near RFK before the trip to the memorial where we met up with the other chapters.  Seeing over 1500 riders ride out through DC was a sight to be seen.  I was able to get in front of the pack enough that I was able to ride through the memorial and not have to dismount and walk.  On the way there we had people linning the streets with flags and signs and kids wanting us to high 5 them as we passed.  When we finally got through to the memorial I saw my parents and little brother there, how cool is that!!  I was able to ride through and that was when the emotions really got me.  Seeing all the memorials people had brought to remember the fallen and the signs of We will Not Forget and pictures of loved ones...  I had to take a few minutes before I went to find my family.

Overall a great experience and I will be back, the Chapter 4 people were awesome and the event was well run allowing for a lot of fun but no unsafe practices.  Talking to some of the higher ups in the department I think we made a good impression and are going to be welcomed back, I'm bringing some more people from my department though.

In the days afterwards my left shoulder has been bothering me, I think it was just angry at being used that much but I think I might have pulled it a bit on Mother's day.

Day 2 leaving Charlottesville I was feeling a little sore on the sit bones but nothing too bad.  Everytime we left a stop we would share the story of the officer we were riding for.  I was riding for NYPD Det. Fermin "Sonny" Archer who was assigned to the Fugitive task force and was involved in a vehicle pursuit with an armed and dangerous felon and was involved in a motor vehicle accident.  The accident caused damage to Det. Archer's heart and he died as a result.  The first leg was fairly hilly so about half way through we had an "unoffical" stop at a Dunkin' Donuts, yes, yes we did.  The rest of the day was spent on the hills, which weren't bad but we tried as much as possible to stay in a tight formation/group which meant alot of the time we ended up slowing at the start of a hill to let people catch up which made the hills that much more fun.

Seeing the people at some of the smaller town out was awesome, one place had banners at the entrance and exit for us, we had two schools which were damaged by the earthquakes last year, the kids have to trade off when they go to school either MWF or Tu Th Sa, lined up on the side of the road to cheer us on, awesome.  Passing through some of the farm land of the area we had horses, donkeys and cows run along side us just an awesome experience.  We pased by James Madison's Mt. Pelier and a park ranger on horseback was there to salute us, his horse though wanted to come for a ride...

Another great day, if I wasn't sure I wanted to do the ride again day 2 solidified it for me and the BIG day was still ahead.

The day started with a send-off ceremony at the Fallen Officer Memorial in Richmond and the head  of the NLEOMF and the Attorney General for VA said a few words.  The honor guard for the Richmond Police Department was there as well.  We were played off by a bag piper from Covington KY, he played us off at the start of every day, and away we went.  It was astonishing to see all the people on the street who took time out of their day to cheer us on, or were stopped in traffic and cheered us on instead of being annoyed, but with 17 motor officers and Richmond PD blocking our way we were able to just keep peddaling without stopping all three days.  The set up for the Tour was awesome, much more than me and DW were expecting but not surprised after we thought of it.  We had a rolling trailer fitted out with a whole bike repair shop so if a bike went down they could make repairs and get you back on the ride without delay.

The feeling of unity and helping out was awesome we were accepted right off the bat, no one tried the oh well Charleston isn't that an easier place than Mayberry type of attitude, we were all brothers and sisters and we worked to get everyone through the ride.  I took a few turns pushing some of the less prepared riders up hills but had to stop after a while and concentrate on getting myself through.  I didn't have trouble on the hills but I did have to pay enough attention I was unable to help as much as I would have liked.