Great people who became great friends

June 18, 2012 to August 6, 2012

Janel, Lynne, Crist, Sam, Diane

Note Crist's jersey.  It is a special present because he was the engine that could.

  He rode in front nearly every day and towed the train across the country

Janel Behm, most improved rider

Lynne Texter, steady and consistent, great in rain and hail

Diane Canady, best source for salves and repairing your glasses, has a smile for everyone

 Crist Smith, strong rider, always ready to take the lead,

 had the best view across the whole country





2nd from left: Jeff Lazer Far right: Kathy Horner

2 of the staff who kept us organized and upright on the road 





Bud Stratton and Karen Bauer

Great riders and outstanding staff, rare moment sitting still



We made it

A dream come true

 



LAST DAY  DAY 50

WE DID IT !!
The last day started with a beautiful ride through New Hampshire and ended at the beach in the water.  The real emotion and ending hit when I could see the ocean through the trees.  That's when I went My god it's over we did it.  The ceremony and pictures on the beach were fun and the sun was shining.  (When we were on the beach in Astoria it was raining).  Melanie, the oldest rider 83 old blind in her left eye, poured a bottle of water from the Pacific ocean into the Atlantic.  She is a really amazing woman.  Rode so many miles in all kinds of weather.  Much of it slowly by herself.
The biggest emotion right now is relief.  We're done.
Over the next few days I will put together more notes and pictures.
For all of you hard cover picture lovers, I have ordered the "official" DVD reported to have 5,000 photos.  I have seen about 500 of them at meetings and the awards banquet.  Many of them are spectacular and memorable.  Yes, it is the ultimate vacation slide show.  I will watch it all.  Nobody else could possibly sit through it.
Thanks to everyone who wrote emails, posts, and send cards and packages.
Special thanks to my sister Sandy and her friend who drove all the way to Idaho for my birthday.
Anita, Maryjo, Peggy, Art and all my brothers and sisters for their support
Gail for her near daily emails.
Bob Hanisch and the people at Peak Performance Professionals, where I spent many Thursdays training
Jeff Dickinson, friend and supporter for so many years.
Thanks most of all to
Mary my wife, and biggest supporter
Life is short, enjoy the ride
Sam

Day 50  Manchester to Portsmouth

Just a quick note as I am getting ready to ride. 
IT IS THE LAST DAY 
Yesterday was long as we added (I) added 10 bonus miles to the route.  Missed a line on the cue sheet.  Had to change rooms and the the trip banquest was last night with skits, speeches and a few mementos were handed out.  I have some pictures from the last few days and will get caught up.  Today is a 48 mi. ride, ceremony at the ocean, pack up the bikes, tols and luggage.  Then we are going for lobster rolls and the first drink in over 50 days plus some champagne.
I REALLY appreciate all the support from friends and family.  Everyone in the group spoke last night of the support from within the group of riders, staff and friends.  We could not have done this without all of you. 
Very mixed feelings as I type the words
"Only one more day"
Hope to see all of you soon.
Sam

Day 47 Little Falls NY to Latham NY

Today was a day of ups and downs, both figuratively and literally.  The day started with an infamous motel room flat tire.  The tire was fine when I went to bed, got ready to ride this AM and it was flat.  Changing the tire was troublesome, mostly trying to find why the tire went flat.  We were literally last riders to leave the hotel.  We then proceeded to go the wrong way and it was a very steep uphill (BPM 140).  By the time we got to the top of the hill we had figured out we went the wrong way and got to ride down the hill.  This added an extra peak to the 8 we already had on the route.
Much of today's ride was along a very scenic portion of the Erie canal

Riding along Erie Canal

When we weren't on a trail along the actual canal we were still near it  and seldom in rural farm country.  Some of the locks and dams are still used to promote recreational use of the canal.

Dam for controlling the water level and lock for letting traffic through

The canal may be flat, but, the banks are not.  I don't ever remember seeing a walk your bike sign because the trail is too steep.  Of Course I didn't walk my bike

I was careful to watch for other riders.  Beautiful view from the top of the hill.  All day we were fortunate to be riding on smooth roads and paved paths.

Jeff looking, back to front, Janel, Diane, Lynne, Crist
Time for dinner
Sam

Day 45 Henrietta (Rochester) NY to Liverpool (Syracuse) NY

We rode along part of the Erie canal.  Very pretty and scenic. the middle of the day was NY Bike route #5.  Mostly highway 31 which has a smooth wide shoulder.

Lock on the Erie Canal

House boat on Erie canal

There were only pleasure boats and sculls that we saw on the canal.  No commercial boats except 1 boat for tourist rides.
The ride id nearing the end.  We have 2 days in rural NY to ride.  1 hard day in VT and 1 hard day in NH then the last day of 48 miles to the ocean in VT.  It is hard to remember individual days.  We will have stayed in 46 cities in 50 days.  At 3,376 mi.  it is longer than going cross country by most routes.  I will have to review the pictures and blog to remember what we've done.  The ride has been more than I could have hoped for in so many ways.  The longest and most demanding days were not the ones that looked hardest on paper (most miles or most climbing).  The hardest days were headwinds and or hail.  45 mph side winds with traffic.  Narrow roads with drivers who didn't budge.
One aspect of the ride has been very interesting.  How demanding it has been to stay focused on the riding.  No daydreaming or worrying about "What if" while riding.  It has been focus on the road, the bike, riders around me, my body, Very much focused on the here and now.  No time to think about what's next.  This has been a common theme with other riders.  Perhaps on the flight home some of this will begin to sink in.
Time for bed.
Sam

Day 42 Brantford Ontario to Niagara Falls, NY

Great day to ride!! sunshine, low humidity, scenic...  The whole day was fun, from the smooth roads in the morning to colored lights and fireworks over Niagara Falls at night.  First time all trip we stayed up after dark!!

Start of the day in rural Canada


Who knew Miles Goodwin's fame had spread to rural Canada?

The group enjoyed meeting Miles on his Harley in Wi Dells, we didn't know he is such a celebrity.

Small town local color:

Oldest Sugar Maple in Canada, Donated by the Comfort Family

The farm where the tree is located has been owned by the same family since 1816

We stopped at the town store and they had a hard time understanding why someone would ride across America (so do we) The Comfort tree, is the biggest local attraction.

 Lift bridge on the Welland Canal

 Diane and Crist at Niagara Falls 

 Highlights of the day were Niagara Falls and arriving back in the US at NY.  Diane and Crist at Niagara Falls

Sam and Janel entering the US at NY

View from the bridge

Crossing back into the US on the Rainbow Bridge.  Customs went very fast.  They let 4 riders go through at a time.  Check passports, a few questions and we were done.
Monday, last rest day,  will be a quiet day.  Rest and eat.  Go to the park on Goat Island, just above the falls.  Read and eat some more then sleep.  Nice and quiet.  No casinos or boat ride. 
Enjoy the day
Sam

Day 41 London to Brantford, Ontario

Today started out slow, with headwinds and rainy, finished with sunshine.  We had overcast skies and drizzle as we loaded luggage onto the truck and left the hotel.  It never rained, just high humidity and damp to make things uncomfortable.  5 mi into the ride we shed our raincoats and just road.  Very generic farm country along the route.  We could have been nearly anywhere except for the Canadian flags.  Flat country and lots of corn.  We saw a few tobacco fields and several ginseng fields.  Not much else.  Yes, it is getting very old looking at green crops. 
We had a guest rider, her name is Louise.  She was riding from London to Cambridge, about 85 miles.  Louise and her husband drove from Cambridge to London and he was going to a radio controlled boat meet and she was riding her bike back home.  We rode together nearly all day. 

Diane and Louise

Today was pretty much just grind it out and get done.  Tomorrow Sunday, we cross back into the US at Niagara Falls.  The crossing is at the end of the day so it will be individual riders checking in at US customs and immigration.
Monday is a rest day,  Finally.  Tues starts the home stretch of 7 days 546 miles.
I am ready for a rest day
Sam