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Day 31
Yeah baby!!  Bring on the hills!

ROUTE: Amsterdam NY to Keene NH DISTANCE: 125 Miles WINDS: Light all day
WEATHER: Sunny and warmer...cool at start  50 low/78 high TERRAIN: Mountainous TOTAL CLIMBING: 7090 Feet

DAILY REPORT:  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 is not for the faint of heart...and tomorrow's even tougher.  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 winds were calm 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.

As I said above, navigation was a challenge today too.  I was in the van during the morning riding and was passing through the riders in Mechanicsburg when I missed a turn.  It was quite a while before I could find a place to turn around and when I did, I looked in my mirror to see several riders right behind my van...Steve, Bill, Pappy, Guenter, and Ken.  I asked them what they were doing in this part of town and their reply was, "We were just following you."  So much for "experienced cross country riders."  Here it is, one day from the finish and they abandon their cue sheets to blindly follow me in the van when I could be just going to get a cup of coffee off route.  Ken said, "I saw the turn, but thought you knew where you were going."  "I did," I said.  "The coffee shop is right down the street!"  I was lucky to save face on that one.

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.  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 the picture at right, 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 3200 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 it's self 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's all been worth it.  Pray for their safe arrival.  Talk to you again soon with the final day wrap up.  Tootles.
DID I REALLY SAY THAT?:

"Have you ever seen so much green?"

"I hate that we're going a different way this year, I was really looking forward to the North Adams climb."
"Don't worry, we'll make up for it."

"Where is the bike shop in Brattleboro?"
"If you miss the turn at the bottom of the hill as you come into town, you'll be part of the window display."

"Hit 55.9 today!"

"Just one more day...geeze, can you believe it?"

 DID I REALLY DO THAT?:

Today Bill R. gets the steel leg award.  He flagged me down at one point and told me he had a noise coming from his bottom bracket.  After inspection, I found his bottom bracket had almost seized up...I could hardly turn his cranks.  He'd been climbing the hills of New York with a stiff bottom bracket.  After I adjusted it to smooth operation, I asked him later if he'd noticed a difference.  "At first it was easier, but after settling in, it still seemed hard to pedal."  "Yeah, but you could," I said. 

DID I REALLY SEE THAT?

This farmer built a barn but planted the silo seeds too close to the foundation.  When the silo grew, this was the result.

When you are late to luggage load, you have to carry it yourself to the next destination.  Kasper was too late to load, but still was one of the first riders to the next motel.

Staff appreciation day includes group hugs.

NOT YET!!!  We still have one more day to ride.

Proof the AJ was on course today at one point.  But where's David?  Is this the right Vermont sign?

Greg spent the morning practicing on the parking lot hills before venturing out into the hilly countryside.  "Got to get the blood flowing," He was heard to say.

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