Day 48: We rode across Vermont in one day. Today's ride included a fair amount of climbing and lots of heat. A few raindrops provided some relief near the end of the ride.
"Where Vermont Begins" is an often used slogan for Brattleboro, Vermont, population 8,600, but for us it was where Vermont ended. Brattleboro has a quaint downtown that we rode through. We stopped at many of the souvenir shops and at a good coffee place. I have one bit of Brattleboro trivia for you. Rudyard Kipling wrote some of is books while living in a house he built for his wife just north of Brattleboro in Dummerston.
Day 49: This is our next to last day. Julie and I rode together all day. The ride was 89 miles with 6,200 feet of climbing. It sounds like a hard day, but it was filled with beautiful New Hampshire scenery and was one of my favorite rides of the entire trip. Trees and cows lined the quiet and peaceful country roads. The peaceful area offered an opportunity for further reflection on our incredible journey.
"Live Free or Die" is the Granite State's motto, and it is an appropriate motto. In 1776 New Hampshire became the first colony to adopt a provisional constitution and government and declare independence from England. It is also in New Hampshire where the first presidential primary is held.
After dinner this evening we were all given an opportunity to express our feelings about the ride to everyone else. It was soon clear that people's fondest memories about the trip involved other people's kindness. The stories told emphasized people's kindness and willingness to share, words of encouragement, willingness to help with technical problems, optimistic outlooks, willingness to ride slowly with someone struggling with that day's ride, etc. The stories told were touching and highlighted the many fantastic moments we experienced during the journey. The personal camaraderie has been extraordinary. It has truly been wonderful to be a part of such an upbeat group of people. Much of the trip's success is also due to the exceptional leadership of America by Bicycle. The staff has been outstanding. (I know this sounds like a public relations plug, but I sincerely mean it.)
Day 50: Our team of six grouped up for the final 60 miles to the Atlantic. Chris, Rich, Van, Wilson, Julie and I will have completed our goal of riding coast to coast. A little corner of our brains will hold wonderful memories of this accomplishment, and fortunately, these memories can never be lost.
An added highlight today was that our route took us through Exeter, where my son Marcus went to high school at Phillips Exeter Academy. We stopped at a nice cafe in town, and I was able to think back upon the many nice visits that Bob and I had in the area.
At 11:30 a.m. we gathered at Rye Junior High School (so that the mosquitoes could get some lunch) and lined up two by two. Together with police escorts we rode the final stretch to Wallis Sands State Beach on the Atlantic Ocean.
Many friends and family members met us there and congratulated and celebrated with us at our "Front Wheel Dipping Ceremony." Our fifty-day, seemingly unbelievable, goal had been reached. Julie, Wilson, Rich and I added one more state to the trip, bringing the total to 11, by crossing the bridge to Maine. We ate wonderful clam chowder for lunch in Maine before heading back to our hotel in Vermont. At the hotel the staff helped us pack our bicycles before the banquet dinner. During the dinner, riders and staff members of America by Bicycle told stories about the trip, and we all began saying the inevitable good-byes.
For my final thoughts and a few more pictures, please see Back Home.
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