Day 7 Lexington, VA to ROANOKE! 70 miles... Tree

We are here!! Another great day of scene views, character building hills, and conversation with life long friends from across the country… We had fabulous rest stops hosted by Natural Bridge, Buchanen, Troutville, and Salem FD/EMS! Thank you for the food, liquids, ice, and pain relievers!

Our holding area into Roanoke was Salem FD/EMS. They set up a huge rest area inside of their gigantic bay complete with couches and various rehab supplies (food, water, Gatorade). THANK YOU! Rest assured, one did not need a couch to fall asleep, the pavement did just fine! The Kentucky EMS Memorial Bike ride began on Sunday (a day after we left NYC) and joined us in Salem so we could all ride in together (11 riders!). We held here for a couple of hours until 5pm when we started the huge caravan into Roanoke – complete police/fire/EMS vehicles in both the front and back of the riders. You ride side by side with those that did the journey with you and the EMS vehicles you got to know well from across the country for the past week usher you in as well as various local agencies.

As we rode the 9 miles into Hotel Roanoke, people stood outside of their homes and businesses and waved at the ride! On-coming traffic on the other side of the road stopped as we passed. I couldn’t help but look at that gesture and think of Eric’s funeral procession from Austin to Marble Falls…

We rode into the Hotel with our full escort. The FDNY pipes and drums were playing, and numerous Memorial family members, and EMTs and paramedics from agencies across the country cheered us in. Allan Parsons’ children were here (thanks for the hugs!), I’m looking forward to getting to know you this weekend but we all wish it was under different circumstances...

The emotions swirling from this weeklong journey is beyond words… Riding into Roanoke with our 100 friends, EMTs, paramedics, PA’s, and emergency room doctors (including three father and son teams) after seven days together is an experience of a lifetime. We have all spent countless hours since last year at this time training, preparing, organizing, sacrificing time away from our friends and family, used on our own vacation time from work, as well as the huge personal financial sacrifice (working lots of overtime!) – all in honor of our brothers and sisters of EMS that we have lost in the name of our profession and those in EMS that have suffered life altering job related injuries.

There is another journey to Roanoke made. That journey is made by the family and agency members of the Memorial inductees. Our last seven days on the road is nothing compared to the next 48 hrs in Roanoke or what these individuals have suffered. Meeting the husbands, wives, children, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, friends, parents, grandparents, and fellow providers of those killed in the line of duty is the most PAINFUL part of this entire trip. Looking into their eyes at the Hotel and Memorial, the pain and loss look right back at you. We are not here celebrating their loved one's achievements, we are here to induct them to our country's national EMS Memorial. Memorial Day weekend in Roanoke, Virginia, is a national EMS convention basically, with providers from all over the country (and world!). But, we aren’t here to show off equipment, attend continuation classes, or participate in any rescue or medical competition. We are here to honor our brothers and sisters that gave their life, “the ultimate sacrifice,” while serving their communities – doing what they loved.

It was an honor and as our Austin/Travis County EMS Director Ernie Rodriguez told us, “a call to service” to be a part of this. Rita, Harlin, Kyla, Geoff, TJ, Susan, and Mark and everyone – you mean the world to me. Thank you for all that YOU have done to make this possible, you are my HEROES!

This evening is the Memorial Service (more photos and blogging)… We start our journey back to Texas tomorrow.

Day 6 part 2... Tree

Thank you to Fairfield, Virginia, Volunteer Rescue Squad for a great dinner! I have to admit that this week I have had several cravings for meat. The fried chicken tonight was no exception but I held strong and chose the chocolate pudding instead. I can not thank all the squads enough for the huge welcome you have given us into your houses. We all know it takes a lot of time and money to put together a reception for us, it is appreciated! We also LOVE visiting your stations, meeting all of you, and of course, checking out all your cool vehicles and equipment!!

Kiernan and Gary of Ireland gave out some tokens to some of the directors of the ride from Ireland. I took some photos of that tonight at dinner. Kiernan told a very special story of a friend, John, that was killed a few years ago in an ambulance accident. He read an email he received from John's wife during this week about John and how proud she was of the bike ride. We were all in tears by the end. You might have never met anyone others are riding for but you are in tears while they are telling the story. They ask you about the individual(s) you are riding for, you ask them the same, and by the end you are both crying and hugging....

Day 6 Shenandoah National Park to Lexington, Virginia, 100 miles... Tree

I can not believe we ride into Roanoke tomorrow! We are all excited to close a week of long, hard riding but it is sad because we have enjoyed the journey so much with each other and this huge accomplishment.

I have really understated my personal issues with hydrating, eating enough calories, and getting enough rest (the rest part is something EVERYONE is lacking). At the beginning of the week, when the alarm would go off at 5am, Susan and I would jump out of bed eager to start the day. As the weak progressed, the jump began to not be so spry. Today, we lay in bed unable to move until 5:40am. Which is very late considering we start meeting in the lobby of the hotels at 6am to get ready to ride at 7am. For those that know me, you know I am very stubborn. Put me on a bike and that characteristic just skyrockets. I dressed in my bike gear this morning and put on jeans and several fleeces (three to be exact) over my jersey. I knew that I was not going to make the ascent. I did 30mph downhill a couple of times yesterday and that is still too fast on a bike for me. At that speed, you begin to wobble and think of various party of your body that would be left behind on pavement in case your bike were not to stay vertical. My plan was to meet everybody at the 2nd rest stop at mile 35. Instead of getting on my bike today, I spent the day hydrating and eating. I also took a great nap on a the rider bus. I got to the hotel this afternoon and I was ready to ride!!! But, I'll hold my enthusiasm until tomorrow (we have 70 or so miles into Roanoke). I can not tell you how much I feel like a new person. It's not quite as painful to move, I'm using the bathroom again, and I don't feel like I'm going to fall asleep standing up. Yay!

The riders told me at mile 35, rest stop 2, that the ascent was not really an ascent. As I drove down in with Shane and Tommy from Tennessee, I said, "this doesn't really feel like we are going downhill much." Shane agreed. I'm not sure how this mountain has no downhill. If it does, the ride didn't find it. The day did start in the 30s with heavy winds. Sitting here in Lexington, the sun is out and it is beautiful!! I am so proud for everyone that made it through today!! A lot of people have sat out entire days and/or parts of days. Every single rider is suffering through some sort of physical ailment every mile. Some have ankle issues, some knee issues, some back issues, etc, etc. Sometimes you need to listen to your body and other times you just keep on going until you have to stop because you can't move. For a rider, listening to your body early in the week means you save yourself for the best part -- riding into the Memorial at Roanoke.

Thank you so much to Elkton EMS/FD. It was great meeting you this morning and thank you so much for opening your house to us. Elkton is mostly volunteer and when Shane, Tommy, and I arrived this morning, there were several people working very hard at putting together our rest stop including mopping and cleaning the station and bay as well as washing ALL of their response vehicles. Volunteer EMS/FD personnel are the heroes -- they serve their communities for little to no compensation professionally day and night, rain or shine. Thank you! You all are truly inspiring. On a personal note, the cheezits hit the spot!!

Steve, Woody, and Jeff, wish you guys could be here!!

Please be safe out there... The Blacksburg EMS vehicle got hit by a drunk driver the other night coming home from dinner (everyone is ok but the axle needed replacing among other fixes) and someone hit a bear in Dr. Ted's vehicle last night inside the park (everyone is ok, I'm not sure about the bear).

One more day! Hooooooooorrrrraaaaaaahhhhhhhh! (As I quote Tommy...)

Day 5 Manassas, Virginia to Shenandoah National Park (Virginia), 75 miles... Tree

Hello, again! When you're on top of a mountain (yes, it was a mountain -- Lewis Mountain) and inside a national park, "WIFI" is not a commonly used word. One of the women inside the park looked at me funny when I even mentioned "internet."

So far, we've biked at about a 13mph pace. As Carl from Maine explained, you go up the hill at about 5mph and down the hill at about 25mph and it all evens out to about 13mph. Which, considering the hills we have been encountering and the mileage we have been racking up, that is a pretty good little pace. I was at about a 13mph pace until mile 65 yesterday which was in Sperryville, Virginia. Our rest stop at mile 65 was Sperryville EMS/FD. Sperryville is a small town just outside of the park with some really great people! They put together a great rest stop, thank you! I got off my bike here and just rested on the ground. In retrospect, I have not been hydrating or eating enough (yes, I should know better) and it all caught up with me last night. I iced my back at this stop and did a lot of eating/drinking to get ready for our twenty miles to the top of Lewis Mountain. I'm so happy no one actually referred to that climb as an actual mountain. It wasn't until I was in our room where I saw the paperwork saying, "Welcome to Lewis Mountain...." Anyhow, from the rest stop, we started on our journey. I was riding for a bit with Ben from Maine. Shortly after leaving the stop, he asked me, so what songs are we going to sing to each other to get us up to the top?" I said, "I'm not sure either one of us is going to have enough lung capacity to sing."

Once we started the climb, I had a 5mph pace with 15 miles ahead of me. I stopped after 30 minutes to just have something quick to drink and eat. After that for the next two hours, I stopped every fifteen minutes. And to clarify, I and others rode for 2-3 hours at a 5mph pace. If you see the photos, there is a short tunnel you have to travel through. It was completely PITCH BLACK inside the tunnel. I was peddling my little heart out to get to the other end and hoping my wheel wouldn't catch anything I couldn't see or that there wasn't some monster waiting to eat me inside of this thing. With all these things swirling through my mind, I began to hear a car. I turned my head and didn't see any headlights (peddle faster, peddle faster!!!). The car swooshes by me. Oh thank goodness. Then, I hear another car. Oh, good grief. I'm still not out of this tunnel!! I thought at this point, death by bear would be better than being a hood ornament. Swoosh, they go by me. Once I made it out of the tunnel, the last vehicle had stopped right there at one of the scene overlooks. I yelled and waved, "thanks for not killing me!" The driver started laughing and said, "No problem! Keep riding!"

So, I keep peddling. I eventually catch up to Mike from FDNY EMS. I started to ride in front of him when all of a sudden a coyote ran across the road. (More 'good griefs' and more wondering of who exactly had this fantastic idea to take this huge detour into the park!!). I eventually heard last night that someone saw a small black bear as well on their ride up. As I got farther and farther up this beast, the temperature began to drop, the winds began to pick up, and the skies began to get dark. I had two support vehicles pull up along me and warn me of the changing weather. They asked me I wanted to get in and I said I'd stop when someone told me to or if it started to rain. Five miles from the top (ten miles into this thing), I took my moment rest. I tried twice to get back on the bike and physically could not due to the steepness of the hill. I had also stopped so long that my legs just couldn't go anymore and then it began to rain. Tommy and Jason of Johnson City EMS of Tennessee eventually found me and brought me to the top.

Getting to the top and being able to look out over Virginia, is quite accomplishing. We were all extremely fatigued.....

From the Office of Texas Congressman Lloyd Doggett

Members of the Austin-Travis County EMS met with Congressman Lloyd Doggett during a stop in Washington on the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride. Austin-Travis EMS joined paramedics from across the Nation in a 7-day, 600-mile memorial bike ride in honor of paramedics and first responders who have died in the line of duty. Austin-Travis EMS rode in honor of Eric C. Hanson, a paramedic for Marble Falls EMS, who died in the line of duty in October 2006. Congressman Doggett, whose recent bike accident resulted in a trip to the emergency room, said “As both a supporter and a recent patient of Austin-Travis EMS, I can attest to the skill and professionalism of our paramedics and first responders, and will continue to support their efforts to uphold the health and safety of our community.” (L-R, Mark Hawkins, Geoff Winslow, Congressman Lloyd Doggett, Susan Erwin, T.J. Callis, Tree Marsoobian)

Day 5: Manassa, Virginia to Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

This is Matt, Tree's boyfriend! Tree does not have access to the Internet tonight but wanted me to make a quick post to keep everyone updated.

The team rode about 75 miles today and ended up at the top of a mountain in Shenandoah National Park. It was a very rough ride and most of the riders stopped before the main climb. Tree toughed it out until she could not take it anymore about 5 miles before the end. She got a ride to their bungalow and is hopefully sleeping soundly right now.

The team is staying "above the clouds" in the park and it is in the 30s tonight! Everyone on the Austin team is doing well but all are tired and happy to be off their bikes for the night.

Tree said that she will blog tomorrow to tell you about day 6 of the ride! I personally admire Tree and the entire team's dedication! You are amazing! Hang in there - our thoughts and love are with you!

Day 4 Annapolis, Maryland to Manassa, Virginia 65 miles (but really 30)... Tree

Four days down, three to go… As usual, the day started with my alarm going off at 5am. With less than six hours of sleep, that little pill from last night left me unable to operate heavy machinery. Luckily, Susan told me that the team was staying behind at the hotel so that we could dress and head over to the Capitol and meet Texas Congressman Lloyd Doggett. Unfortunately, two vehicles were broken into last night in the hotel parking lot. All that was stolen were two GPS units and one cell phone – easily replaceable!! The bad news is that this stuff was stolen but the good news is that the news picked up on the story and apparently we were in the news several times today. So much so that a woman driving a car started honking while we were riding. Gary, one of the riders from Ireland, stopped to talk to her. The rest of the story which I heard secondhand is that she first asked him if he was with the EMS bike ride (yes!) and then said she had seen us on the news and how fabulous and proud she was to have heard about the ride… This wonderful woman just started going on and on and complimenting Gary on the ride and how great it was and asked about where she could donate money. Can you believe that??!!!

The ride did only 30 miles today. The weather was a high of in the 60’s with scattered showers. Oh, and the hills. Yes, there were plenty of hills. Hills, hills, and more hills. Traffic lights at the bottom of hills, traffic lights at the top of hills, traffic lights in the middle of hills. The hills were everywhere. Yay, hills! Not only were there hills but there was plenty of wind on top of riding the whole day with a very narrow shoulder and LOTS of traffic. (For a cyclist, this is called character building!) Mark and I only got to do the last twenty miles due to our visit at the Capitol. The rest of the bike ride participated in a special ceremony on the Capitol grounds (photos of that in the future, I hope…). Team Texas met up with the lobby group EMS Advocates. There is a bill right now in Congress extending benefits to line of duty deaths to EMS personnel of non-municipal agencies (e.g. private EMS services, hospital based services, and volunteer squads). Kurt and Lisa Myer of the lobby group graciously locked our two bikes in their office as we walked over to meet Congressman Lloyd Doggett. This was a huge honor for the team and we are so thankful we had this opportunity. He met us outside of the Capitol due to the fact he was in a recent bicycle accident while crossing railroad tracks (behind Medic 6 in Austin!). Unfortunately, he broke his leg in the accident. He even gave a huge kudos to Austin/Travis County EMS paramedics Bill Needles and Elizabeth Campbell on their excellent care!!! Way to go, Bill and Eli! While we were meeting him, Team Maine was invited to meet a Maine Senator! They were taken inside the Capitol and had a little mini tour!

So, as you can imagine body parts are really getting sore. (Huge understatement). Even sitting in this chair is a bit uncomfortable. Hands, neck, shoulders, back, toes, you name it, it is sore. There are a quite a bit of biker anatomical issues that begin to arise after being on a 8 inch by 4 inch saddle for six hours a day several days in a row. There are various creams and ointments that must be applied in various personal areas before riding, during riding, and after riding. As you are plugging along, hill after hill, mile after mile, you talk to your new friends (you can start with when you were born because I did say six hours a day on a bike), you think about why you are riding and mostly you consider the sacrifice individuals like Joe, Allan, and Eric have made in the name of EMS. You also think of EMTs and paramedics like Kyla that only five months after becoming a paramedic, she became permanently disabled from an accident probably to not return to working on ambulance again after three years of paramedic school. So, our small sacrifice of this one week is small… Very small…. You look forward to that massage when you get done with the ride and you are back to home… These individuals I speak of, don’t get that. I really hope I am making sense, we are all quite exhausted, myself included.

We have 65 miles ahead of us tomorrow with the last fifteen miles or so being a 3,000 foot climb. Susan is having a meeting in our room right now about working out a bunch of logistics of making it easier on the riders to climb this mountain, not only nutritionally but also motivationally. This is a fine example of how great our support team is!!!!

Thanks to everyone for taking the time to post comments and read the blog everyday! David, of Rainbows Raiders of Ohio, told me last night at dinner that his wife told him that she enjoys our site better than theirs (lol!). Then, tonight at dinner, he told me that his wife is so impressed with the site she forwarded the address to everyone back home. Rainbows Raiders is a special team to me, very dear and close to my heart. I met a flight medic last year at the Memorial, Warren Anderson of Ohio – his kindness, empathy, and selflessness is quite rare. He and I have kept in touch over the past year. He began to go to the Memorial when his partner, Kelly, was killed in the line of duty, when the helicopter she was in crashed. Warren and I have become very close and as much as I have encouraged him to do the ride (Warren, are you reading this?!), he gave me instead three fabulous new friends!!

Thank you to Manassas Volunteer Rescue Squad for a fabulous dinner!!! It was great meeting you all tonight and touring your station!!!


Be safe out there!

Day 3 Wilmington, Delaware to Annapolis, Maryland, 80 miles... Tree

What a day.... 80 miles through the hills of Maryland with a high of 63 degrees and winds gusting 20-30 mph. (Not fun). Day 1 and day 2, my back was really getting sore. Today, with the help of many, my back was doing great, as well were my legs. After of about 30 miles of pulling another rider through all this, I was beat! Honestly, I'm not sure how I did every mile of this day following the last two days. This day feels like we actually did about 110 miles because of the winds. And, it was never at our backs, always a crosswind or headwind. When it was a crosswind, my back was being thrown about a foot from where I was trying to ride. As a headwind, I often had to get into a lower gear even going downhill. That is so not right!!!!

The end of the day, we arrived in Annapolis to a huge reception (see photos)!! Thank you so much, Annapolis! Tomorrow is our final big arrival before Roanoke -- in Washington DC. Team Texas must get pulled off the course and get dressed into our uniforms to meet Lloyd Doggett in his office. Of all the 24 states being represented, Lloyd Doggett was the only politician to respond to the Bike Ride's invite!!!

Thank you to everyone for your sweet emails, texts, and voicemails! I try to write when I can -- we wake up at 5am, hit the road at 7am, and if we are lucky, get to the hotel on our bikes by 7pm. Then there is unloading all of our luggage, checking into the hotel, showering, and dinner. Everyone has been so supportive -- it is noticed and appreciated!! The team sends their best!! Geoff and TJ are doing a great job of supporting the ride -- I get many compliments on their hard work from the other riders. And, Susan is fabulous!! She has stayed off her bike for physical reasons and also to be the ride director. The riders are also impressed by all her hard work! All the support staff just makes the riders job that much easier. Yay, support!

Off to bed... I haven't been sleeping well so with the aid of a little tiny pill and some earplugs, hopefully I can get some much needed rest. I'm fully lathered with my muscle rub and the pillows are calling my name.

Justin of Maine... we miss you!!!!!!

Amy, we and Team Maine are riding strong for your dad. We were deeply saddened when we heard of his accident and we are all looking forward to meeting you and your family in Roanoke.

Mike, keep peddling in Austin -- I'm thinking of you and you know Eric is watching over you.

.... Not only do we have to check trailers before we start riding after a rest stop but now we need to check the bathrooms. Shane of Tennessee got left behind at one of the last rest stops today!!!! (When everyone leaves and there is a bike just laying there... something has gone amiss!)...

be safe and thanks!!! we miss you!!!!!!!! ... keep doing the rain dance, tomorrow we have an 80% chance of rain with a high of 72. Riding today, we kept saying to each other it could be worse, it could have been raining. So, today the winds, tomorrow the rain. But, we keep going....

You won't believe this... Tree

Today as I jumped into the Northstar truck after calling it quits in the rain, Blainne jumps in, as well on the other side of the backseat. He says, "did you hear your phone ringing?" I said, "no, not between that wind and rain! Why, what's up?!" He said, "I was locked in the trailer!" A mile back, as we left Philadelphia, Blainne was in their trailer grabbing Carl's bike (all of Team Maine) so that Carl could ride as Blainne was going to sit this leg out. Blainne said the next thing he knew, Carl grabbed his bike and soon after, the doors closed and locked. Blainne started pounding on the doors yelling at Carl to quit what he thought was a joke. Soon after, he heard the truck start. Oh, oh. Then, the procession began to move again. He gave up banging as all the emergency vehicle escorts started their sirens and airhorns. Of course, it was completely dark inside the trailer but Blainne finally found his phone even with a bunch of luggage and bike gear falling on him. He called Dave Page from Minnesota who was also riding (but always answers his phone) but after seven tries, he stopped (no answer). Then he tried me, no luck. Then, he found Mike Potasso's phone number (of FDNY). Finally! Mike was not riding today so he knew he'd get a hold of him. On the fourth try, he finally got a hold of him. Blainne said, "Tell the Northstar truck to stop, I'm locked in the trailer!" Mike pauses and says, "you're locked in the trailer?!" Then, Blainne hears laughing in the background and into the phone. Blainne (in his Massachusetts accent) says, "IT'S NOT FUNNY!" And in his thick New York accent, Mike says, "Yes it is!"

Hahahahahahahaha!!!! Aaaaaahhhhhh.... Well, I guess you had to be there....

Day 2 Princeton, NJ to Wilmington, Delaware 95 miles (sort of)... Tree

As much as you guys did your rain dances, it still poured on us today ('A' for effort, right?!). We left Princeton with beautiful weather. Our major stops today included Bucks County, PA and Phily. In Bucks County, we stopped at the Garden of Remembrance for a ceremony by local EMS and FD officials as well as their honor guard. At every ceremony at our various stops, three of the Minnesota students dress in their uniforms and read the names of the inductees. There are two individuals from that area that are being inducted in this year's Memorial and both of their families were in attendance. The Garden was built after the events of 9/11 for ALL the lives that were lost. In the photos, you can see the glass plates that line the walkway around the fountain. All the names of those lost are written on these plates. There was also a helicopter flyover, also in the photos.

From here, we rode on to Philadelphia. And, as expected since Friday, it began to rain. We arrived at Independence Park where many agencies across the state were present as well as various EMS and FD officials from the state, as well. We actually arrived there EARLY (yay! that means extra time to RELAX, eat, drink, go to the bathroom...). The ceremony was beautiful and moving. About a half a dozen Phily paramedics rode with us on their MOUNTAIN bikes. After the ceremony, the rain really began to come down. The ride organizers really wanted to shut down the course at this point but they let us continue riding the next 11 miles until Collingdale FD (Philly was mile 55). I rode one mile into the rain. Several people boarded vehicles at the park and did not attempt it. I thought I'd give it my best shot with the encouragement of a new friend. After a mile, once we got away from the downtown area of Philly, the wind was not being blocked anymore. Between the heavy rain and winds, I called it a day. It is so hard to get off the bike when your legs are still strong but I, and many others after me, decided it just wasn't worth the safety risk. The ride officially closed for the day. The good news is that the next five days are supposed to beautiful!

A big thanks to Tinicum FD for providing us a great rest stop, shelter from the rain, towels, hot drinks, and a dryer!! You guys rock!!!

Before I go any further, I really want to thank Geoff and TJ for their hardwork. They have been a huge help to the riders, keeping us safe throughout the route. It is great that they are not cyclists but offered the ride one of their passions.

When I first met Rita and Harlin Hanson, it was at their son's funeral. I had never imagined they would become such a huge part of my life. Many of you know that I heard about this bike ride during the week of his funeral when I was reading some back issues of the Journal of Emergency Medical Services (JEMS). Steve Berry has a regular column as well as cartoon in the magazine and one particular issue, he wrote about the bike ride. Before I was even done with the article, I knew this was something I was going to do to honor Eric. Line of duty deaths are not frequent in Central Texas or for Texas. Eric was an incredible individual and had an amazing future ahead of him being a paramedic. He decided to be a paramedic after 9/11 when he did some research that there was a nationwide shortage of paramedics. It is quite ironic that I am now riding side by side by many of the EMTs and paramedics of FDNY EMS that served our country then. Rita and Harlin have continually amazed me by their strength. They have supported the bike team without hesitation. We are honored to be here representing Eric, their family, Marble Falls Area EMS, and all of Central Texas including Austin/Travis County EMS. To give you an idea of what Rita is like, at Eric's funeral, as his casket was about to be lowered, she stopped the ceremony and thanked all the emergency workers for the sacrifice we make everyday we come to work, how we care and take care of citizens that are strangers to us, and blessed us to always be safe. In a conversation many months later, Rita was telling me of how when she sees a paramedic out in public, she goes up to them and gives them a big hug. Harlin made a joke that if Eric was an accountant, it would probably not be the same to hug a stranger like that in public. (I smile to myself just thinking of Rita doing this....).

It is true that EMS/Fire/Police are unique professions. I decided to be a paramedic because I was interested in practicing medicine and working on an ambulance. Working behind a desk 9 to 5 was not for me. I'm sure there are not many paramedics that got into EMS because of the brother/sisterhood it is -- that is NOT on the paramedic brochure but something that is realized once you are years into your career. In EMT and paramedic school, there is a prevailing theme reiterated semester after semester, and even afterwards when you are working for an agency: SAFETY. The first thing an EMT or paramedic ever does when they get on scene is something called SCENE SAFETY. You are taught that is first and foremost and by far the most important thing you could ever do. I remember in paramedic and EMT school (I think it was the first day...) being asked by one of our instructors, "whose safety is the most important?" Long pause... From the class you heard, "the patient." Wrong. The instructor answered, "You are. You are your number one priority ALWAYS." Your partner is your second priority and your patient is your third.

Being a paramedic is dangerous. As is fire fighting, as is being a police officer. That is something else you don't consider very much when you get into this career. We all wish there was not an EMS Memorial. No one in my paramedic class ever imagined that not a year and a half after graduation, that we would be at one of our classmate's funeral. I've met the families inducted last year and have read about the individuals being inducted this year. EMTs and paramedics that died from everything from heart attacks to a partner that fell asleep driving the ambulance. They are heroes. You don't think when you come to work that there is a chance you may not return or that you may return but so severely injured you will never work in your profession again. But, we do this, all the time, to serve the public, to keep them healthy and safe. The individuals made the ultimate sacrifice, they gave their life doing what they loved and did best, serving their community.

Eric was moved by all the first responders that died in 9/11. That they rushed in when they knew they were walking into this country's largest terrorist events. I cried today as his name was read in Philadelphia. He died doing what drove him to be a paramedic. This morning, I wrote on the piece of paper that has my rider number, "In memory of Eric and in honor of Kyla." You ride for everyone but thinking of those words on my back, pushes me just a bit harder and maybe for the person behind me, it does the same.

Goodnight and be safe out there...

New Links Added to "Our Favorite Places"

Please check out under "Our Favorite Places" on the right sidebar two new links: Northstar EMS of Maine (Team Maine) Blog and Steve Berry's "I'm Not An Ambulance Driver" websites!!!

Day 1 New York City to Princeton, NJ, 75 miles... Tree

Greetings and salutations from the 2008 National EMS Memorial Bike Ride!!!

Piece of bike humor... I can't believe that after ten years of riding, I still believe the little maps they hand out on rides when it comes down to the exact mileage of the day's course. Mile 65 was supposed to be the hotel.... Not really.

We've got 95 miles (per the little map) of riding tomorrow so this is not going to be too long, my apologies.

The rain, wind, and frigid temperatures lifted in the wee hours of the morning to give us plenty of sun and warm weather. We caravaned from the hotel over to FDNY EMS Jacobi Hospital (in the Bronx) for the official send off. Kyla and Amber came in just for this from Portland, Oregon. The riders enjoyed meeting Kyla and talking with her about how she has been doing since the accident. And, it was just super cool to have her there with us (yes, I cried...). FDNY EMS Chief Peruggia spoke and the FDNY Chaplain gave the ride a blessing. Then we were off!!

We had a full police escort from the Bronx into Manhatten. We rode all through Manhatten and into Brooklyn. In Brooklyn, we took FDNY Marine 9 (see photos) across the East River. This was a REALLY BIG DEAL for FDNY. Mike Potasso of FDNY EMS pulled a lot of strings to make this happen and it was better than we had thought it would be. And, a nice 45 minute break of riding through downtown.

We had lunch once we stepped off the boat and continued with our ride! The weather was SO beautiful. We entered New Jersey and hit about some 15 mph winds (that was never at our backs, haha). At mile 60 we were all counting the miles til the hotel which was a bit confusing because we were in rural New Jersey with no signs of life. Ten miles later.... there was the hotel :). Geoff and TJ did an AWESOME job of motorcycle support, they were a HUGE help in intersections. Susan has been off her bike being Super Duper Bike Director (Go, Susan!!). And, Mark and I peddled like crazy today.

Perth Amboy FD of Perth Amboy, NJ gave the ride an INCREDIBLE welcome. Perth Amboy lost a paramedic, Joseph Murawski, last year on Father's Day (June 17). He will be inducted in this year's Memorial. He began having chest pain and shortness of breath while taking care of a patient. When they were moving him from patient care to the back of the other ambulance, he went into cardiac arrest. He left behind a beautiful wife and daughter, as well as his mother, brother, and sister. His brother, Edward Murawski, is also a firefighter with Perth Amboy. The ceremony they held was first class and a welcome the ride has never seen before. (see photos) Two paramedics of the service and a member of the EMS division of their state health services joined the ride for the next leg. One of the riders told me he was going to train and do the whole ride next year :). We are deeply sorry for their tragedy but are honored to ride on behalf of Joe, his family, and his brothers and sisters of Perth Amboy FD, including the hospital he worked at. Thank you...

Be safe...

One Day to Go! ... Tree

Everybody is starting to arrive at the hotel! We can't believe we are FINALLY here!!! Susan and I have been organizing our team's effort since last October and I've been training since November. It is hard to imagine the ride starts tomorrow after all this work.

The ride has doubled in size since last year! We had about 50 riders last year and this year there are close to 100! Team Minnesota is back as well as Team Maine (for those new to the blog this year, those are two teams we became very close to last year)! I had a wake up text at 0715 this morning from Blaine of Team Maine telling me they already broke down on their way to NYC. They had to replace the alternator and a belt on their suv. I met the three riders from Ireland, too! I'm nestled in the corner right now of rider registration (fancy, huh?!). It is pouring here in the northeast right now but apparently it is going to be clear with a high of 75 tomorrow! Geoff's Yankees game may be rained out tonight though :(.

The Minnesota paramedic student Colleen Doyle has put together a great looking power point of the memorial inductees including personal info and photos. Unfortunately, shortly after the ride last year, there was a paramedic killed in Maine, Allan Parsons. Team Maine is riding in honor of him. His parents and three children will be at this year's Memorial Service. Allan died when the ambulance he was in was hit by a drunk driver, he was caring for a patient in the back. There are going to be 73 (!) total inductees (there were 17 last year). Blaine was written up in the local newspaper: http://www.sunjournal.com/story/255418-3/bsection/Face_Time_Blaine_Rackliff/

Rider registration is here at the hotel run by our very own Susan Erwin with Dave Page and the Minnesota paramedic students. His students put together a biographical poster of each of this year's inductees including photos. As you walk down the hall, reading about each of the inductees, your eyes begin to sting and you feel yourself starting to choke up. Putting faces to a long list of names including the family they are leaving behind and how they enjoyed living their life is quite powerful. Life is extremely precious and you often forget, for many reasons, how dangerous this job is. His students took personalizing the memorial for the bike ride to an even bigger level -- each participant was sent a (livestrong type) blue bracelet with EMS Memorial Bike Ride imprinted on it prior to arriving to NYC. Every participant was also paired with a memorial inductee and their name is written on their particular bracelet.

TX Congressman Lloyd Doggett Requesting the Austin Team in his Office!!

This year, we are riding through Washington DC. A ceremony is planned on the Capitol grounds to welcome the riders and honor those in EMS that have died in the line of duty. And.....The Texas Team just received an email from Lloyd Doggett's office requesting us to meet him in his office!

Hello, New York City!

After a long day of travelling, Susan and I arrived in New York yesterday. I got to NYC but my luggage stayed in Houston for a bit longer :). The guys set off of on their drive up here with all the bikes (motorized and non ;) ) yesterday, as well.

Susan and I set off for Philadephila early this morning while the guys are arriving in NYC later today. Susan is taking care of some adminstrative ride stuff in Phily and Washington DC before the ride starts. We're staying with a couple of friends of mine in Phily which has been a lot of fun. I head back to NYC tomorrow to meet up with Kyla and Susan goes on by her lonesome self to DC. The ride is going to make a stop at the Capitol grounds this year!!

The ride starts in 3 days!!!!

The clock is ticking... Tree

We are officially one week away from the beginning of the ride. Mark and Susan are in Louisiana right now doing the first annual LA EMS Memorial Bike Ride!

I've been busy this week getting my bike ready for the trip. I got some new biking shoes (my old one were making my toes go numb and they were about 8-10 years old...), put a computer on my bike so I don't have to ask others, "HOW MANY MORE MILES IS IT?", as well as getting a new rear derailleur (the thing on the rear wheel that moves the chain). My old derailleur caused a lot of mechanical issues last year. And then on top of that, I borrowed a set of wheels I had sold to a friend that are much LIGHTER than mine. Sounds like this 600 miles should be a breeze! (Insert sarcasm here).

Susan and I fly out of Austin on Tuesday (the 13th) and the guys begin their roadtrip that day, as well. See you in New York!

The Team LIVE on News 8 Austin

The Team and Rita Hanson met up at 5am (yes, 5am) today at ATCEMS station 17 today to appear LIVE on News 8 Austin! Click on the link to the right or below.

 http://www.news8austin.com/content/top_stories/default.asp?ArID=208104&

First Thursday a SUCCESS!

Thanks to everyone that came out last night!! A huge thanks to Jo's Coffee and Bicycle Sport Shop for their continued support TWO years in a row! Thanks to Bill, Pete, Mike, Bob, Millie, and Janelle on M6, MR17, and District Command!

Pictures will be posted soon, click on the link on the right side bar.

Last night was a great little pep rally for the up coming ride -- THANK YOU!!!

Donations are not tax-deductible

Sorry for this inconvenience but we have been informed that donations are not tax deductible. Please accept our apologies and we appreciate your continued support!

Sign our guestbook!

HTML-savy Jared Rodgers added a guestbook to our blog! Look for the icon on the right hand side! Thanks, Jared!

We've got T-Shirts!

Woody Green put together a fabulous t-shirt! They are American Apparel t-shirts. The shirts are grey with black lettering. On the front over the left breast is our black ribbon pin and a cyclist with "Austin Paramedic Cycle Team." On the back, across the shoulders written is "In memory of Eric C. Hanson Marble Falls Area EMS." Our sponsors logos are under the text: Austin/Travis County Employee Association, Bicycle Sport Shop, CLEAT, and Jo's Coffee.

Contact Tree Marsoobian at tmarsoobian@yahoo.com for ordering one. They are $20 each.

First Thursday in May

Come join the team at First Thursday on May 1st at our sponsor, Jo's Coffee, starting at 6pm til about 10pm. We'll be out there fundraising and spinning on a stationary bike. The team will be bbq'ing hot dogs (veggie and meat) along with chips, soda, water, and various desserts for a small donation. Jo's is also having live music that night. So, come out and join us!!

Why Ride... Geoff Winslow

I wish I’d never met Harlin and Rita Hanson.

Don’t get me wrong. These are two of the finest people I’ve ever had the privilege to know. The memories of the time I spent with them in Roanoke last year are among my fondest and most powerful. But I wish I’d never met them.

You see, as a member of the Austin-Travis County EMS Honor Guard, I first met the Hansons at their son’s funeral. Eric Hanson was a paramedic for Marble Falls Area EMS, a department that serves a community by that name about thirty miles west of Austin, Texas. Eric was tragically killed in a motor-vehicle collision involving the ambulance he was driving. As a small department, Marble Falls had no Honor Guard of their own to confer department honors so our team was proud to help. I helped carry his casketed remains to their final resting place and fold the flag that draped them. It was in this capacity that I met Harlin and Rita. I saw them again at the National EMS Memorial Service in Roanoke last year. I never met Eric but I have spoken to many people who knew him well and by all accounts he was an extraordinary individual.

And he’s not alone.

Every year EMS professionals are seriously injured, become seriously ill, or are killed in the line of duty. We daily face violence at the hands of our patients and the public and risk life and limb working on or alongside busy roadways. We collectively drive millions of miles a year on streets and highways that we know, probably better than anyone, are not populated by the safest of drivers. Some of us respond by aircraft that, in an instant, can find themselves at the mercy of bad weather or simple mechanical failure. We are exposed to communicable diseases and the extreme risks associated with swiftwater, high-angle, confined-space, and vehicle rescues. Some of us even don the same protective gear as the SWAT team and are ready to follow them, unarmed, into the tactical hot-zone. All this because we want to serve our communities.

Police officers and firefighters can pay their respects at permanent memorials that honor their brethren who have made the ultimate sacrifice and visit museums that honor the proud history of their professions. Every year, after the National EMS Memorial Service, the EMS memorial, called the Tree of Life, is crated up and put into storage and there currently is no national EMS museum. I am riding to honor my brothers and sisters who have given their lives in the service of their communities and to raise the public’s awareness of the EMS professionals in their own communities who may not get to go home to their families tonight because they were striving to get someone else home to theirs.

For Those Who Gave, So That Others Might Live.

That’s why I’ll ride…

Why Ride '08... Tree Marsoobian

Arriving in Roanoke last year after the six day trek from NYC, my mom asked me if I would do the ride again knowing how difficult it was. We both knew she had the answer to that question before the ride ever even began…

Over the last month, the 2007 Texas Team has had the honor of being invited to the Marble Falls Area EMS Christmas party where they presented us a plaque. We were also awarded at the Annual Hill Country 100 Club for our accomplishment. The recognition was very much unexpected but appreciated. It is important through this event to raise awareness locally and on a national level of line of duty deaths, especially here in Central Texas where they are, thankfully, such a rare occurrence.

This is still why I ride...

There is a special bond created, in my opinion, to those you share an experience such as paramedic school. Eric was one of those individuals for me. Eric was one of the quieter in our class but his strong drive to help others was quite evident. He was extremely unique in his demeanor and his compassion for others and life was unlike any other.

The morning of October 10, 2006, I was getting off of work. We had received a page shortly before leaving the station stating an ambulance MVA in Travis County did not involve one of our (A/TCEMS) ambulances. The off-going and on-coming crews were both watching the TV at the station to see exactly what EMS service was involved in the accident. The news report stated that there was an accident working in southwest Travis County of a Marble Falls ambulance and a pick-up truck. They went on to further state that one of the paramedics in the ambulance had died on scene. The overwhelming sense of tragedy that one feels over an accident like this is beyond words, not only for it to be a fatality but a line of duty death of a fellow paramedic. It was during my drive home when I was calling several of my friends that worked out in Marble Falls that I learned Eric was the driver that had been killed and another friend of mine, Kyla Wilson (the paramedic passenger), was being rushed to the trauma center in Austin. The driver of the pick-up truck died later that morning in the emergency room. Almost a year and a half later, Kyla now lives in Portland, OR, with hopes to be at this year's ride. Her therapists and doctors are not sure when she will be able to return to work on an ambulance again but this year holds a lot of hope for the future.

Approximately a week after Eric’s funeral, I was reading an issue of JEMS (Journal of Emergency Medical Services) when I came across an article on the EMS Memorial Bike Ride. I have a personal history of coupling passionate social issues with long distance bike riding. So, riding my bike from New York City to Roanoke, VA, in Eric’s memory and to honor him at the EMS Memorial just seems like an appropriate thing to do.