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Day 32

WE CAN SMELL THE OCEAN...BUT IS IT THE ATLANTIC?

Yesterday                Tomorrow

ROUTE: Amsterdam NY to Keene NH DISTANCE:  125 Miles TOTAL CLIMBING:  7085 Feet

DAILY REPORT:  Light wispy clouds, warm, and clear.  High 78, low 49 (a real heat wave at departure)

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 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.

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. 

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 is 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 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.
YOU DON'T SAY:

"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 50 today!"

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

"How many states did we go through today?  Weren't we just in NY this morning?"

"Now Sam can finally count the days and the remaining states on one hand."

"I can't wait to get home and have my kids try this peanut butter/dill pickle sandwich."

 

 

 DID I REALLY DO THAT?:

Today we set up our first SAG in the community of Schaghticoke NY.  Karen went into a drug store to use the facilities and asked the young clerk, "How do you pronounce this place?"  The young lady looked puzzled at her and replied, "Lady, it's pronounced Rite Aide." 

The "Legs of Steel" recognition goes to Eric.  Yesterday was a day to take it easy in anticipation of today's tough hills.  Eric commented he was going to take it easy and not push much...at mile 90 we were in some good hills and I was waiting for him...he was waaaaaaay behind and on one stretch he was rolling about 6 MPH on a flat stretch with a pretty brisk tailwind.  He was taking "take it easy" to a little extreme but he finally got in about 5:00.  After he arrived, I promised him I would put on a new computer for him so I took his bike while he was checking in.  Low and behold both his wheels were locked up with rubbing brakes.  He'd been pedaling all day against severe dragging brakes.  "I thought it was pedaling a little hard or I was really more tired than I thought,"  He said.  "YOU THINK?"  Today he was pleased his bike seemed to be rolling much better, but so much for taking it easy yesterday. 

PHOTOS OF THE DAY

Somewhere out there there's a proud mom and dad who are glad all that money for college didn't go to waste.

Now there's a farmer who has figured out how to keep someone from stealing his barn.

Tom, I think I've discovered why you keep riding in circles.

The members of Team Ksryrium are performing an experiment in energy boosters.  Ron uses "5 Hour Energy," Mike uses a "Snickers" bar, Tom simply chews gum, while Sam finds this "Java" drink wires him for the entire day.  They all finished today so I guess everything worked.

Last year our SAG was infested with swarms of gnats...so Barbara moved the SAG down the street to a store...a mere 300 yards farther down the road.  I guess the gnats are able to adjust...they were waiting for us again this year.

Sam has been riding so hard the past few days that he's withering away to "mini me" size.

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