..."it sho am good!!"

Somewhere out West as Judd, Rob and I sat at dinner...we saw this old advertisement for flour. It was an African-American man saying..."it sho am good!". We quickly adopted this as our catch-phrase throughout the trip. If the road (or weather, or scenery or whatever...) was particularly good...one of us would say.."It sho am good"...and the others would chime in..." it sho am"!

I really had a great time! I went into this thinking it would be a "cycling" adventure. In reality...it turned into a "life" adventure! The thought of jumping into a group of 27 other cyclists was a bit scary for me. Those of you who ride with me know I can be a little picky about the people I surround myself with in "the pack". This group had all skill levels represented. There were strong, seasoned riders and there were relative newbies....some of which (because of the weather up north) had only trained a few days outdoors ( a few only on a trainer in the basement!)...with zero work in a paceline. They all ended up impressing me! When someone was having a bad day there'd be a crowd around them trying to cheer them on. People who had never met before became instant friends. And, I suspect...friends for life! We were all in this together. And you had a sense that the "group" would have done anything to get you to the end! It was pretty amazing to be a part of this experience. To the entire group and ABB staff...Thank you for an epic adventure! To my buddy's Rob and Judd (and Iain) ...I miss you already! My stomach isn't hurting today...the first day I haven't had to laugh thru a 10 mile climb (try it sometime...it's not easy!). I'll never forget this trip..and I thank you for making it so memorable. Rob couldn't resist and gave us "Moon over Kingston"...right down Main Street! I'm afraid that town will never be the same!! Stay safe out there my brothers!!!

To my beautiful and supportive wife, Katie: THANK YOU! Thank you for being so supportive and for insisting this was a "must-do" dream to fulfill. I could not have done this without you! I can't wait to see your beautiful face!

I hope everyone has enjoyed following along on this adventure! I had a bunch of photo ideas that I let slip...in favor of not turning this into "work". There were a few nights that I'd have rather gone to bed...but, I knew you were out there and I knew that you cared enough to check on me. For that I thank all of you!

See ya! dd

Day 32 Keene,NH to Salisbury Beach,Mass 125 miles

Today was another tough one...mentally, emotionally and physically! Plenty of really tough climbs...a few in the 12-15% grade. Our legs are really tired! We really tried to soak it all in today! We laughed and talked about all of things we have seen...and about how incredibly fortunate we are to have been able to be a part of such an amazing adventure!

We rolled out of Keene,NH pretty early...and were greeted by our first set of 15% hills. Not the way you want to start a ride after a full breakfast!! I know I was dragging about 5 pounds of pancakes up that hill! The weather was again...spectacular! Not a cloud in the sky all day and temps in the 80's! More beautiful country roads...then a few fairly busy highways into Salisbury,Mass. We passed thru our final series of wonderful small towns...many with American flags all along their Main Streets.
I will certainly miss starting my days like this.

Iain's wife, Liz, drove up from Boston...to cheer him on thru the final leg. After a quick hug and a kiss (and a photo-op) the "I-Man" was back on his bike...not wanting to lose "his inner climber"! He's done a great job getting thru this on minimal training! I've used the "find your inner climber" joke...as encouragement when he's struggling. Be proud "I-Man"!!!!

The last 40 or so miles were pretty tough. The early climbs (combined with the previous 15 days without a rest)...had begun to take a toll on me. I could tell I was "done"! There was a series of rollers near the end that made me start to wonder of I'd make it! Mentally...I was ready to be done! I wanted to get on a plane right then and there and get home to my Katie! But...I had to get this done...so I kept rolling. The plan was to gather the entire group at a stop on US 1....about 3 miles from the beach. From there we'd roll as a group into Salisbury Beach and the "wheel dip" in the Atlantic. "A.J." and Dave had taken another wrong turn and were a few miles back...so we had extra time to eat ice cream and talk until they arrived. It was a lot of fun! Finally, Mike came along with "A.J." and Dave in tow...and off we went. We rolled as a group along Rt 1A out of New Hampshire...and into Massachusetts...and Salisbury. Cars were honking and people were shouting from balconies as we passed! As we turned east at Salisbury Beach we caught our first glimpse of the Atlantic and a good size crowd of family and friends who had all come out to welcome us! It was pretty cool! We all did the wheel dip and then took the final group photo.

It wasn't until I called Katie that the emotions came over me. I couldn't speak for the first minute or so. (It's even hard to sit here in the airport and type without getting teary-eyed!) I am so fortunate to have such a supportive wife. I SURE DID MISS YOU KATIE!!! Thanks for making this dream of mine...a reality!

After the wheel dip ceremony, we got a Police escort back to the hotel in Amesbury,Mass. After a frantic bike packing session, it was off to get a shower and get ready for the banquet. They did a great job! Everyone had a chance to get up and speak about their adventure. Some were funny...some were emotional...all were heartfelt! It was really a nice way to finish off the ride. More than a few of us (me included) had trouble holding back the emotions.

The final day ride profile. Combined with Wednesday's hilly route...we did more than 14,500 feet of climbing in the final two days!!! What a way to finish!


Glad we didn't have any "moose encounters" on the bombing descents today!


Early morning departure from Kenne,NH


Some of today's beautiful scenery!


Our special guest...Kasper!

"I-Man" and his wife,Liz. Liz drove up from Boston and cheered us on most of the day. After a quick hug and kiss...the "I-Man" was back on his bike. There was still a lot of work to do before it was over!!


Rob, Liz, I-Man, me and Judd


Bill and Brian. Today was our last day for taking pictures of the group. Even Brian has gotten good at the "bike-cam"!


Rolling thru small town America! I will miss it!


New Hampshire

Our last day roll thru the New Hampshire countryside


Rob working on his signature jersey


Mike Munk (our ride leader)...bringing in "A.J." and Dave. They had a way of getting off course...most days! We waited for them before rolling as a group to the beach.


The entire group rolling towards the end!


"I-Man" rolling the final miles to Salisbury Beach

The final feet to the Atlantic!


Our "welcoming party" of family and friends at the beach in Salisbury,Mass


The "I-Man" family.


A triumphant "I-Man"!


Kasper and his family...all the way from Amsterdam!!

We made it fella's!!


A triumphant Rob!


A triumphant Judd!


A big wave came in and soaked us as we posed for the group photo


Bob Long pouring the ceremonial water from the Pacific into the Atlantic

The Boys!!! Thanks for a great trip!


Judd and his (very proud) Mom!


Our police escort from the beach to the hotel


My bike and junk inside the "aircaddy". I was in such a hurry...I just tossed everything in.


...and ready for shipping!

Day 31 Amsterdam,NY to Keene,NH 122 miles

Another Top 5 day in my history of riding a bike! Weather...spectacular, scenery...spectacular, company...goofy as usual!
We left the hotel in Amsterdam this morning with about 15. Our plan was to ride hard on the connecting legs between towns and then take it easy and recover once we were in town. Our first hard effort seperated us from the group...Judd, me, Shane and Rob. We kept the pace up the first 16 miles into Milton, NY, where we slowed for some "recovery sightseeing". Then cranked it back up until we got to Ballston Spa. This is Saratoga County...big time horse country. Beautiful rolling hills of the greenest grass I have ever seen. Plenty of hills to make this a workout! We stuck with the plan til the first SAG at 40 miles...when we lost Shane. Shane is one of the ride leaders...and sometimes has to interupt his ride with official duties. He's great to have along as the 4th guy gives you a longer break between pulls at the front. The town of Hoosick got Rob and I started on another laugh-fest that lasted for miles! "Hoosick?"..."I'm not sick...you sick?" A modern day Abbott & Costello...ha! Rolled thru beautiful Bennignton,VT and then the "10 mile climb". Rob is a climbing machine...so the agreement was we'd regroup at the top. When I got to the top, Rob was waiting and we decided to have a little fun at Judd's expense. We hid behind a house just off the route. (Thanks for the idea Beasterling!!) Once he passed us we slipped in behind him. It was clear he was not happy we had left him....but pretty funny once he knew what had happened!! The climbs today were really tough. It's one thing doing 122 miles on legs that have been working so hard for so long...it's another thing to add in a couple thousand feet of climbing. Today we had a a bunch of small tough climbs, the 10-miler, a 4-miler and a couple 3-milers...and it got pretty hot just to make it interesting! Some screaming descents to help cool us off. We stopped at a bike shop in Brattleboro...a hopping little town that seems to love the outdoors. Lot's of kayaking, mountaineering, snow skiing & boarding and bike related outfitters. Looks like a fun place now...not sure I'd be able to handle it in the winter! Had a locally made root beer while Rob changed out a broken water bottle cage. We crossed into New Hamshire to get to tonight's hotel in Keene,NH. Tomorrow is the end! It will be another tough day. Some 15% climbs right out of Keene and then rollers most of the way to the Atlantic.

Today was great day to reflect on this trip. It's late and I have another 130 miles to ride tomorrow! So, I won't wax on too philosophically. We rode hard to test our legs...and we are all much stronger than when we started. I know I have become so much more aware of things around me...the sound of the water in the stream next to the road, the fresh smells that came from the Hudson Valley forest...the color of the sky and the amazing green of the hills. It has been a truly amazing experience! I am thankful to be blessed with the health to accomplish this journey...but mostly, I am grateful to my incredibly supportive and beautiful wife, Katie! Without her encouragement and support I would never have been able to do this. I love you Katie and can't wait to see you!



Shane, Rob, Judd and I...on our early get-away today!


Downtown Valley Falls,NY


We crossed the Hudson River and entered the Hudson River forest. A breathtakingly beautiful ride along the river...shrouded by trees.


Some really beautiful scenery today!


My good buddy "A.J." from the UK. This guy has powered his way across the USA...completely by himself! Most of us have ridden in small groups that make battling the headwinds considerably easier. A.J. just churns out the miles...and he does it on a 30lb bike!! He's my hero!

Welcome to Vermont! Note Rob in his usual position.


Tulips!!


The beauty of today's route


The road into Bennington,VT


At the top of today's 10 mile climb...Rob and I jumped behind this house and let Judd go by. Then followed him down the hill. The agreement was that we'd meet at the top. It was pretty clear he was not happy we had left him. He got a good laugh when we came up from behind.

Today's self-portrait. Nice "zinc job"...eh?


Getting ready to make a withdrawal from the First Gravitational Bank of Vermont!


Me...with the Green Mountains of Vermont as a background


For most of the day...the road followed along this river. It was amazing to ride along to the sound of the water rushing.


More beautiful roads

Welcome to New Hampshire!


Pretty beautiful out there today!!




The boys entering Brattleboro. This town was hopping! They have definitely figured out how to make things work. With such a vibrant downtown...I'd venture a guess there was no Walmart or Target close by.


One of our river crossings today