Conclusion

A week has passed. I have received lovely e-mails from many of the riders. We're all suffering from too much reality....the time-away-from-life was so alluring and fulfilling. It had all the positives with none of the negatives. The Tank loved every moment. What have I come home with? New friendships, a wonderful perspective of the landscapes of North America, immense physical fitness, memories of so many hilarious moments, a mental rest - on the trip - from daily pressures and newspapers and TV that I haven't known since I was an adolescent, time to be myself with no baggage, and all that biking, and eating. I don't think life gets any better. But that's in hindsight. Was I thinking that on the 15 mile climb to the summit? I knew this would happen: The bike ride was great - terrific -while we were on it, and fabulous in retrospect. Often during the day or night I feel this huge realisation surge up within me: I biked across a continent.

Day 50: Manchester to Portsmouth, NH

Final day of 50 miles. The bike wheels have made 3 million revolutions. We set out early for the Atlantic coast in order to assemble as a group at 11.30 am at Rye High School. We made good time and were able to stop en masse at a bakery in Exeter for a coffee and pastry. At the high school we began the goodbyes before the police escort arrived to guide us as a unit to the beach. With flashing lights and sirens, we rode the last 5 of 3,750 miles down to Wallis Sands and arrived to applause and cheers and greetings from friends and relatives, Robert amongst them. Then the ceremonial walking with your bike to the ocean. Hugs and kisses, tears and laughter all around as we said goodbye. My friends met Robert, and then we loaded "The Tank" on to the Honda Civic and pulled out of the parking area, heading for Vermont. We passed many cyclists heading for the motel where they would spend their final night before shipping their bikes and dispersing all over the world, back to their real lives. Robert and I have three days in Jay Peak before heading back to Larchmont. I will write one more blog entry before I close, with some reflections on what it all really meant. Until then, my heartfelt thanks to all the staff, riders and friends who have followed my odyssey across a continent and made it so enriching.

Last RAP (apart from the skit at dinner). The staff from America By Bicycle in front of our Budget Van. These are the people who have guided us across North America, and provided us with moral and mechanical support, and given us the resources and skills to achieve our goals. Debbie, Jeff, Barbara, Jim, Karen and Mike. A big thank you to them.

Day 49: The banquet

Tonight we had the last RAP and the final dinner. Emotions ran high as the reality entered our heads that we had cycled across a continent, and that we would say goodbye to great friends and a certain way of life that we had grown accustomed to. Sandy and "Toronto Mark" hosted the banquet. They took the format from the Oscar awards and everyone present received an award and made a brief acceptance speech. There was a slide show during dinner, some songs, comedy acts that had us cracking up, personal reminiscences and tributes to the staff and friends. The whole added up to more than the sum of its parts and was intensely moving and enjoyable. Other people expressed so beautifully the emotions we were all feeling. It was over by 9.30 as we still have one more day of bicycling.

Day 49: Battleboro, VT to Manchester, NH

The last full day, 80 miles into New Hampshire. This picture with Sandy says it all. Friendship, admiration, tired, happy, hungry, simple pleasures, kind of low-key location for lunch, our favorite chocolate milk....and we are handicapped!! Tonight we have the "Banquet", the final dinner together. Expect lots of expressions of what the trip meant, some stand-up comedy (mine is on SAG stops), and closure on the great adventure. Tomorrow, we bike to the Atlantic Ocean.

Day 48: Latham, NY to Battleboro, Vt

A gorgeous day, cool temperatures, but arduous, with 80 miles over two summits and 5,500 feet of climbing. But we're strong now. We crossed the Hudson River, left New York and entered Vermont and climbed hills that we haven't encountered since the West. The sea is only 135 miles away! I rode all day with Sandy. Rod's daughters, who live in Bennington, Vt, enhanced our sag stops with scrumptious cookies and muffins.

Day 47: Little Falls to Latham, NY

There were 15 miles today that may have been the the most perfect of the tour (the remaining 60 were pretty nice, too). We had lovely green landscapes, rollercoaster hills, a strong tailwind that permitted 20+ mph biking, and lower humidity. The second half of the ride was down a pretty bike path along the Erie Canal. Only three days left...and few of us wish to return to reality!

Day 46: Syracuse to Little Falls, NY

It rained all day, sometimes heavily. Nothing to do but pedal through it -soaked to the skin -for 78 miles. Most riders agreed that it was better than riding through the heat. I placed the cue sheet in plastic, protected my camera and telephone, put a waterproof bag around the pannier. It's not just the rain, but the bike wheel ahead of you throws water and grime in your direction. We couldn't stop, couldn't take photos, so we biked with determination to the hotel...where the sun came out.