The last couple of days we've been trying to take it easy to save a little for the final two days...well, they are here.  Today's ride was not for the faint of heart...and tomorrow's a pretty tough day too.  The terrain will be a challenge and there's plenty of navigation to deal with too.  These two days are not days you would want to ride any "bonus" miles after missing a turn someplace.

Breakfast was at the motel so we were able to get an early start.  From the motel, their tired legs struggled on the 1.5 climb out of town so it didn't take long before they were seeing what the day was going to be like.  We actually rode between the mountain ranges most of the day so our riding terrain was mostly just big rollers, but our road went up and down enough to amass over 7000 feet of climbing.  The wind was calm until the afternoon when it became a tailwind and we've been really lucky with the weather for the past couple days and it looks like we'll go to the beach dry...and warm too. 

Today was another 3 state day, I hate to see New York go since I really like the roads there, but Vermont is really beautiful as is New Hampshire.  Most of the day we had a shoulder to ride on but several times there were sections where the edge of the roadway was pretty beat up.  The winters up here are really hard on the highways and about every 5 years they have to repave them.  Cyclists have to stay alert lest they get their wheels swallowed by a crack in the road.

Vermont is nicknamed the Green Mountain State.  When you see it, there is no doubt how it got its name.  As you can see by some of the photos, the terrain is spectacular.  We rode along a river and two pristine lakes nestled between two tree covered mountain ranges that stood majestically on both sides of our route.  Every where you looked you'd find small farms nestled into the base of these "hills."  The farm lots are usually older houses covered with ivy along the sides with big beautiful maple trees for yard shade and stone fences along the property lines surrounding stoic old barns.  Everywhere you looked you'd see lots of scenes that Norman Rockwell probably has painted at one time or another.  It's also a reverent place as we were crossing areas where men died while fighting for America's independence in the 1700s.  We ride through several Revolutionary War battle fields from here to the ocean and there never seems to be an end to small cemeteries that have stones dating back to the 1700s.

Yes, we are closing in on our target.  Just a short 31 days ago these riders were in California trying to figure out what they'd gotten themselves into.  Now they are hardened cross country veterans, a little tired, but with legs of steel and lungs to match.  They have covered over 3500 miles in the last 31 days which is a pretty good accomplishment by any definition.  I think everyone will be glad to sit on something softer than their bicycle seat after tomorrow, but for now, we have 1 more day on the road.  The riders are starting to realize that this ride is almost over.  On this day, I usually see lots of mixed feelings on their faces.  Most are going to be glad it's over but all will hate to see it end.  We have become a family and this group has really gotten along well.  I haven't seen any personality conflicts anywhere.  It's amazing how something like this can bring a group of diverse individuals close.  I'm really proud of the whole lot for rising to the challenge.

Tonight we held our last route rap to cover tomorrow's challenges and banquet...a challenge in itself I guess.  Tomorrow we make our last assault on the beach.  When we get to the beach, they'll dip their tires and try to remember Newport Beach in CA where they started this odyssey.  I stressed everyone to stay focused for one more day and that they would have plenty of time to celebrate at the banquet.  It's going to be a long, tiring day, but it will be well worth it.  Pray for their safe arrival.  Talk to you again soon with the final day wrap up.  Tootles.