UPDATE: Police Unity Tour Riders Stop in Baltimore Area

UPDATE (5:47 p.m.)—Cyclists in the 2012 Police Unity Tour made stops in Howard and Anne Arundel counties, Essex, Rosedale and Baltimore City to participate in ceremonies honoring fallen police officers.

Sgt. Vickie Warehime of the Baltimore County Police Department's is among the riders in the 2012 Police Unity Tour that began in Valley Forge, VA on Wednesday.

The tour is cycling nearly 300 miles to the National Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial in Washington, D.C. where a candlelight vigil will be held Tuesday.

So far, there has been one crash, Warehime said.

"Two riders down, but they're OK," she texted, noting that she had already burned 3932 calories by Thursday.

Friday was "A great day for a ride," Warehime said, noting that the peloton cycled through, or stopped in, the following communities: Essex, Rosedale, Baltimore City, Ellicott City, Elkridge and Columbia.

In Essex, the group got a flyover by the , and it was warmly welcomed in Ellicott City.

"Made it thru Ellicott City," Warehime texted. "Rode thru the main street, up hill of course. Great turnout here. Lots of support. Good feeling after all those hills."

Also Friday, the group stopped at the Maryland State Police Barracks in Elkridge, to honor , a Reisterstown resident who was killed in the line of duty May 21, 2011.

The group called it a day in Columbia, Warehime said, noting that she burned 3270 calories Friday.

"Excited for final ride tomorrow to DC," she said. "I rode for Lt. (Michael) Howe this time and I hope I made him proud."

According to a news release from Baltimore County police, Howe died on Aug. 11, 2008, as a result of a massive stroke.

On August 10, 2008, Lieutenant Howe was with his unit at the scene of a murder-suicide the Pikesville precinct, the release states. "When he returned home after that incident, he collapsed. He was taken to Johns Hopkins Hospital, where he died the next afternoon."

Read the full list of fallen Baltimore County police officers, released for a memorial service held Friday morning in Towson.

Follow Warehime as she reports along the tour and at the candlelight vigil:

And here are links to Warehime's reports from last year's Police Unity Tour.

Warehime is texting updates and photos from the road. Let's encourage our local rider on her long journey, by posting something in the comments!