It’s a surreal feeling, knowing you are circling up for the last time. Mounting your bike for the last time. Riding with your 25 comrades for the last time. That is what yesterday was like. August 4th. The end.
In true Team Seattle form, we started our morning a little late. Rolling out at 10:50 am instead of 10:30 am. It continued in true Team Seattle fashion with the Queen Anne Hill and a flat tire 3 miles outside of Pike Place Market.
But the 7 mile day ended in true 4K fashion when Team Seattle, the original Team Seattle, rolled into Pike St. and 1st as a 26 member caravan. We turned the corner and saw a huge crowd of people standing on the corner of Pike St. and 1st Avenue cheering us on and holding signs because we had made it. After 68 days of ups and downs, of tears and smiles, and of uniting and dispersing, Team Seattle had rallied and now we had done it. We had arrived. We were there. Because after whatever crap the day, the week or the month brings, Team Seattle always ends on a high note. ALWAYS.
As we turned the corner into the Market, I couldn’t help but smile and cry. Because encapsulated in that moment was the 68 days of friendships, of bike grease, and above all of rallying. Team Seattle had done it. We had paved the way and what had seemed like an endless to-do list had found its conclusion. And I could say that I was part of the team that stuck it out. That persevered and had found its reward. I was part of a family.
The slow clap began for the last time, slowly quickening.
Where are we from?
BALTIMORE
Where are we going?
SEATTLE
Who are we?
4K
Here is to you, Team Seattle.
Becca Mathias. Rosemary Mallonee. Dara Male. Eric Grammond. Ali Samadpour. Abo Raum. Alex Hinch. Emma Moody. Graham McClurg. Michael Nightwing McNair. Nicole Lunardi. Kate Barry. Lizzy Malone. Sarah Grant. Rebecca McGivney. Colette Szabo-Long. Liz Kaplan. Stephen Watts. David Panks. Rhiannon Desideri. Lauren Boyd. Elan Hourticolon- Retzler. Katie Marie Osborne. Vanessa Ward. Rob Keleher. and Cousin Alex.
Thank you for believing in me. For supporting me. And for loving me.
Congrats! What you have accomplished is awe-inspiring! Watching Team Seattle come down 1st street, realizing that you all had made it happen was a moment that won’t be forgotten. May you always end on a high note, where ever the journey takes you from here!
Congrats…What a feeling! What an accomplishment1 What a contribution…You did it..Each of you won your own personal challenge and really made a difference to those battling cancer.
I supported Lizzie Malone to celebrate her mother’s successful battle with breast cancer and also in honor of my sister who was battling lung cancer. Unfortunately, Patty lost her battle on July 14, her 56th birthday of all things. A year earlier , she was backpacking in new Zealand carrying a 50 pound pack. Go figure!
May the funds you raised and all that positive forward movement you all made contribute ultimately to “the cure.” We don’t know why Patty died.
RideOn! Yeah, Lizzie!!!
Love this, love you
This was an awesome post and put a big smile on my face. Miss the entire team seattle… what an amazing trip despite its frequent ups and downs, surprise mountains, headwinds, storms and gravel roads…
Let your accomplishment give you strength as you live thru the cycles of life.
I am happy that I could be there to watch Team Seattle reach their goal.
Colette’s Dad