While the terrain is hardly ever flat around here, most of the climbing was on the three challenging hills mentioned above, two before SS#1 and the last one, Joe English Hill, about 10 miles from the finish. And then there was Pitcher's Mountain right after SS#1, which took us to the highest point of the day . . . 1,880 feet. Riders soon caught on. If the hill has a name, watch out!  Even though it was a strenuous day overall, the route was beautiful when it was out in the country. At the top of the second climb, we rode along a tree lined road that provided much needed shade. The tree tunneled, twisty roads of the east are a far cry from what we had in South Dakota, say, where we could see the road unravel in a straight line for miles and miles, we could look 30 miles in any direction, and the climbs were usually graded at 7% or below.  Here, you can't see farther than 50 yards in any direction for all the trees, and the climbs go straight up at 10% to 15%.

Tonight's activities included our final dinner together as a group--salad, lasagna, chicken parmesan, with cheesecake for dessert. After dinner, Mike acted as emcee, gave riders their final packets, and gave each person time to express their feelings about the ride and what they got from their x-country experience. As the riders began to speak, emotions ran high. Some used humor while others were more introspective when expressing their feelings for each other and how they felt about their accomplishment. One group put on a skit:  Bill K. played St. Peter, Dave played a recumbent rider, Thomas played Mike Munk, and Jim Park played another recumbent rider. When the cyclists crashed, they each went to heaven and St. Peter assigned them a room.  Because he had been "very sinful," Jim looked into his assigned room and saw a homely woman; "very sinful" Dave looked into his room and saw his two ex-wives; but Mike Munk (Thomas) looked into his room and saw . . . Bo Derek! Wow! At this point, St. Peter looks into the room and says to Bo, "Bo, this is your punishment for being very sinful." Lots of laughter. Mary and Opie, both Wisconsinites--you betcha--sang the "On Wisconsin" song. Bob sang a clever ABB song to the tune of "Yesterday." Fred awarded tees to each of the members of his riding team (variously called The Fossils, The Flying Dutchmen, and the Sonja Chasers). He also awarded polka dot climber's "jersey" (a red polka-dot piece of lingerie) to Duane (right). Don, Bill K's roommate, awarded Bill a Superman tee; the Dairy Queens found purple tees that read, "The Queen is not amused." Opie was very generous in his praise and declared that he would have liked to have grown up in the 50s and 60s . . . a fact that was proven, he thought, because he got along so well with those of us who did. Photographer Paul (one of the pups), on the other hand, was amused, amazed, and admiring of riders' strengths because "You're all so OLD!"

Mike made special awards from the staff. Bill K. was presented with the ride map, and Opie  was presented with the precious bottle of Pacific Ocean water, which he is to empty into the Atlantic tomorrow. Josh had also made an award for Bright Bike Bob, who had the dubious honor of being the person with the most flats on the ride (11 or 12 I think), though Murray still holds the record for most flats in one day with 8.

Riders got through the toughest part of the route with flying colors today. We've come across the country and ridden on all kinds of terrain and in all conditions . . . flat open spaces, tough mountain passes, S-curves, shouldered and unshouldered roads, urban streets, unlined country roads, detours, road construction, tailwinds, rain, shine, humidity, and cold. But today is the type of day riders will remember when they talk to their friends when they get home. They won't remember where they were when they were on flat ground with nice conditions, but they will remember the tough days as the ones that developed the character of the ride and gave them the most sense of accomplishment. It takes all kinds of days to make a trip, but the "character building" days are the ones that make us uncomfortable and make us dig deep to finish the the day. Everyone had a different reason for doing this ride, and I'm sure there were times they all questioned their sanity for even thinking about doing such a thing.  But now that it is nearing an end, all riders, both segment riders and x-country riders can be proud of their accomplishment.  Mike told them on day 1 that they would stretch their comfort zone beyond their imagination, and they did that.  They have joined the elite fraternity of riders who have crossed the US on a bicycle, and I salute them all for their grit, good nature, and final success.

Our final thoughts of the evening were for those riders who had to leave the ride early due to injury or necessity. But for those remaining, tomorrow we press on to the finish. Mike reminded riders that we were not through with our journey yet and to stay focused for another day.  He also reminded them to savor the day and to take their time to enjoy the the last miles of their incredible journey. It's hard to believe we are only a day away from our journey's end. It seems just like yesterday that we left Astoria as a group of strangers, yet now we are about to finish.  Some people think it's a long way from Oregon to New Hampshire . . . actually, it's only a bike ride. After tomorrow, riders will be getting back to their "regular" lives, and this adventure will be over, but tonight we rest for our last assault on our destination.  Check back and share in our jubilation tomorrow.   See you then.