Bagpipes played, officers stood at attention and family members watched eagerly as the cyclists in patriotic jerseys exited their shuttle and spontaneously threw their arms around one another, forming a single line as they passed in unison beneath the American flag. Brotherhood was on display.
After pedaling 1,734 miles in 22 days, members of the Brotherhood Ride were finally home. The journey started in Naples on Aug. 20 and ended at New York City, just in time to commemorate the tenth anniversary of 911.
The 36 cyclists most of them firefighters and other public safety officers from Southwest Florida pushed themselves cheap nike nfl jerseys to continue through high winds, torrential rain and detours, as a way to honor the 411 first responders who lost their lives on 911 and raise money for the families of fallen "brothers."
"We're not the heroes; we just pedal," said Jeff Morse, a North Naples firefighter who founded the Brotherhood Ride in 2008. "The heroes are the guys we have on our backs," he said, referring to the names of 911 victims printed on the backside of the team jerseys.
This year's ride was the most ambitious yet, being the longest journey to date and including the most cyclists, who came from as far as Houston and North cheap nfl jerseys china Carolina. The group pedaled through the Northeast just behind Hurricane Irene, experiencing erratic weather and flooding.
"It was challenging," Morse said. "We had three days of torrential downpours and heavy crosswinds.
Amazingly, all 36 riders pedaled every mile. Nobody took an extra break.
When Fort Myers Police Officer Keith Curr felt like giving up, he thought of the 911 first responders who headed into danger to protect others.
"What kept us going was the names of the fallen on our backs," Curr said.
As he strode arminarm with his fellow returning riders, he couldn't help but break the chain when his young son, Jayden, came bolting toward him for a hug. It was hard being without his dad for 23 days.
Family members kept up with the Brotherhood riders through blogs and Facebook. Estero firefighter Jerry Krohnfeldt and his wife, Jennifer, bought phones with Skype to keep in touch during the journey.
Krohnfeldt is usually more of a runner than a cyclist, but he felt compelled to join the Brotherhood Ride.
"This is just something I believe in," he said. "I believe in this cause, I believe in this charity, and I believe in these guys and in brotherhood."
Krohnfeldt said he was humbled by meeting scores of volunteer firefighters who were willing to put their lives at risk without pay. "It humbles you," he said.
The team was grateful to the numerous fire departments and Elks lodges along the way, which cheered them on, fed them and provided a floor to sleep on.
"Physically, it was grueling, but emotionally, it lifts your spirit up," Morse said.
JetBlue Airlines was particularly generous, flying the riders home from New York for free, donating a support truck and hosting a Welcome Back party at the airport Sept. 12. The airline also presented the Brotherhood Ride with a $5,000 check upon their return.
"We are honored to be able to partner with such extraordinary men and women on the Brotherhood Ride," JetBlue spokesperson Tracy Morgan said.
North Port firefighter Kristy Halvorsen was the lone female on the trip, which she reported was "a pretty awesome ride." Each rider found plenty of smiling, familiar faces welcoming them home.
"We're very proud and just very happy everybody is here safe, and everybody is up walking," said North Naples Fire Chief Orly Stolts, who had six riders participating.
"I give them a lot of credit," said Estero Fire Chief Scott Vanderbrook earlier in the week. "I couldn't spend 10 minutes on a bike, let alone 22 days."
Even with the hostile weather conditions, the riders managed to make it to Ground Zero on time, arriving in New York City just two hours off schedule.
"It's amazing," said Tim Wallen, who was welcoming North Naples firefighter Paul Manguso home. "They had to be very well organized and well planned."
Shannon Gorman said she was happy to let her husband, Charlotte County Sheriff's Sgt. Bill Gorman, leave on the ride. He's also training for three Ironman competitions between now and November.
"He loves this stuff," she said. "I think it's good for him to get with a group of guys who are just as fanatical about doing something for a good cause."
Estero Fire's Public Information Officer, Susan Lindenmuth, was sporting pigtails and a kilt as a member of the Lee County Pipes and Drums, ready to welcome back EFR's two riders, Krohnfeldt and Scott Labree.