DAY 49. BURLINGTON, MA TO BOSTON, MA.

I can't believe the tour is over and we've ridden our last mile together as a cycling family.

We stared the day with a staggered start.  Michelle and I set off on the 13 mile ride at 7:18 am.  At mile 13, we assembled as a group to ride the final 4 miles to Revere beach.

As we came over the final rise and the finish line was in view, all sorts of emotions started flowing.  We could see our dear friends Jay and Lauri Bounty, my sister Nancy, our daughter Sarah and her husband Mike and daughters Spencer and Graysen and our future daughter-in-law Heather cheering us on.  We love you all for your support during this unbelievable journey and I am so thankful that you came to Boston to celebrate the conclusion of this epic trip that Michelle and I started on May 11th.  

I wish Michelle could have completed the entire distance with me but riding the last 8 days together and finishing side by side      partially made up for the time we spent apart.

We ceremoniously dipped our FRONT wheels in the Atlantic Ocean and headed back to the hotel to clean up and gather for a family lunch.  As we waited to be seated I said to Jay "that guy looks like Dirk" and in fact it was, along with Brooke, Sonia, Lynn and James.  I am so appreciative that each of you took the time and made the effort to come celebrate with me.  I will never forget their thoughtfulness.

After saying goodbye to the MB SPORT team, I received my second surprise of the day.  Our dear friend and 2013 rider (at age 77) arrived to share in our evening celebration and award ceremony.  I noted the previous night in my summary speech that when I saw Sherman again, I hadn't decided whether to hug him or punch him for sending me on this adventure.

The evening of celebration ended, we said our farewells and headed home to New Canaan to sleep in our own bed for the first time in 50 days.  It's good to be home but we will miss our riding family and the friendships that have developed over the past 7 weeks.

More to come........

Best,

Michael & Michelle

DAY 48. Brattleboro, VT TO BURLINGTON, MA

Today was a beautiful but challenging day.  After last nights torrential rains we found flooded streets and a significant amount of sand and debris along the roadside.

The streams we rode past were high and running fast.

We crossed our 14th and final State line into Massachusetts.

We stopped for lunch in Concord and then pushed on to the hotel were tonight we had a rider dinner and a rider retrospective.  

Tomorrow we ride our final 18 miles where we will dip our rear wheels in the Atlantic Ocean.

I almost forgot crossing into New Hampshire early in the ride.

Best,

Michael and Michelle

DAY 47. Albany, NY TO BRATTLEBORO, VT

Today's 76 mile ride was filled with variation.  We enjoyed sunny sky's, we cycled through rain, we cycled on newly laid pavement and on cut up rubble awaiting paving, we cycled up big long hills and we cycled down steep declines where our speeds approached 50 mph.

We crossed our 12st State line into Vermont.

I met up with some old friends at our first SAG at the Big Moose Country Store.

We're back in beautiful New England.

Tomorrow we cycle 90 miles from Brattleboro, Vt through N.H. and into Burlington, Ma.

We've been on the road for a long time .  I'm anxious to finish this epic journey and get home.  I'm sure not a day will pass when I won't remember something or someone from this trip.

Best,

M&M

DAY 46. HERKIMER, NY TO ALBANY, NY

I can't believe we only have two more full days of riding before we cross our final State line into Massachusetts.  In some ways this has been a very long adventure but in some ways it feels like we left LA last week.

Today was a 78 mile ride that paralleled the Hudson River, very pretty and picturesque.  We're also starting to pass through more small towns during our ride.  The day was mostly overcast with some rain this morning and a little sun peaking through this afternoon.

We arrived in Albany around 3:30 pm, cleaned our bikes from all the sand and debris and then had a vey pleasant surprise.  A dear friend and business associated, Mark Templeton, who lives about an hour from Albany came and took us out for dinner.

We enjoyed a delicious dinner at THE REEL SEAFOOD restaurant......one of the best meals I've had in 46 days.  Thanks for the great meal and even better company, Mark.

Off to climb some big hills into Vermont tomorrow and probably in the rain.

Best,

M+M

DAY 45. SYRACUSE, NY TO HERKIMER, NY

Three days to go!

Today we completed 71 miles, riding through the beautiful NY Countryside.  There's been no hurry to get from point A to Point B, most of us are stopping for coffee in the morning, lunch and a snack before finishing our ride.

Today we passed the Worlds Smallest Chapel.

We finished the ride around 2:30 pm and immediately headed over to Denny's for a recovery milkshake.

Off to Albany tomorrow.

Best,

M&M

DAY 44. CANADAIGUA, NY TO SYRACUSE, NY

68 miles is now considered an easy day.  We start an hour later (get to sleep an hour longer) and arrive at the hotel early enough to clean up, take a nap and write my blog all before dinner.

We started out at 8:00 and by 10:30 we were ready to stop for a quick morning coffee break.  We continued on to the first SAG where reached the 3,000 mile mark on the tour.

We pushed on after the SAG.......more big hills until we found a great spot for lunch.  We stopped at Kranky Kirks Saloon and enjoyed a great sandwich.

With only 15 miles to go we continued to push up more hills.  We passed over the Erie Canal.

We had dinner at a Sports Bar where we watched the USA play Portugal.  So close, but at least the USA continues on.

Another reasonable 70 mile day tomorrow.  We're getting closer!

Still chasing my riding partner.

Best,

Michael & Michelle

DAY 43. HAMBURG, NY TO CANANDAIGUA, NY

I tried to keep up with my riding partner (Michelle) today.  My excuse is she's riding on fresh legs!

We covered 93 miles today.  The last 60 miles were grueling, accounting for a total elevation gain of 5,000 feet.

The highlight of the day came with about 20 miles left in the ride.  Herm and I noticed a sign for Ice Cream and immediately turned in, Michelle and Tim followed.

We asked a gentleman coming out of the place whether the Ice Cream was good....he proceeded to tell us it was the best within a 100 mile radius.  He was right.  All the ice cream was home made and delicious.  

Our treats carried us to the hotel with a quick stop to have a look at the finger lakes.

We arrived at the hotel around 3:30.  We'd departed at 6:45 this morning so it was another long day in the saddle.  Tomorrow is a 68 mile day, a welcome distance allowing us to sleep in an extra hour.

I can't believe we're in the final stretch.

Best,

Michael

DAY 42. ERIE, PA TO HAMBURG, NY

It's great to have Michelle back on the tour.

Our 80 mile ride today took us across our 11th State line into New York.  The license plates are becoming more recognizable.  

Some of our over the pond guests had never visited Niagra Falls so we made plans to rent a car in Hamburg and take a side trip.  We hurried through the SAGS and kept up a brisk pace (just under 17 mph) and arrived at our hotel just before 1:00 pm.  Our rental van was delivered to the hotel and we were off to see the Falls.

It was a beautiful day but the Park was not crowded.  After the hour long visit we returned to the hotel in time for Route Wrap and dinner.  Tonight will be an early night as we have a 93 mile ride tomorrow.

I'm happy to report that Michelle's knee feels pretty good.

Best,

Michael

DAY 41. ERIE, PA

EAT, REST, REPEAT.  A lazy and greatly needed rest day in Erie.  On to New York tomorrow.

Best,

Michael

DAY 40. NILES, OH TO ERIE, PA

I am so thankful that we have a rest day tomorrow.  In the past 7 days we've covered just under 600 miles!

Today was a nearly perfect day.  My riding partner was back in the saddle, completing the 90 mile distance with little to no discomfort.  Little Mike and Heather made the journey to Niles and Mike road with us for the first 25 miles, until the rain arrived.  At that point, Heather scooped him up and they drove back to Pittsburgh.

At mile 60 we stopped at an old fashion Root Beer stand that served great Root Beer floats and wonderful Tirkey sandwiches.

After lunch, we continued down the road less than one mile before crossing our 10th state line into Pennsylvania.

We finished the final 30 miles and arrived in Erie around 3:00 pm.  We held an average pace of just under 17 mph for the 90 mile distance.  Impressive!

We're staying at the Sheraton Bayfront right on Lake Erie.

We were having dessert in the hotel restaurant this evening when a huge thunder and lightening storm moved in.  The rain was coming down sideways and the wind was gusting to over 50 mph.

Hopefully tomorrow will be a sunny day so we can relax by the pool and rest the legs in preparation for the final push into Boston.  A week from tomorrow will be our last ride of any distance.  A week from Friday we will pedal the final 18 miles into Boston and I'll be able to check this epic journey off my bucket list.

Best to all,

Michael

DAY 39. WOOSTER, OH TO NILES, OH

OAnother long day in the saddle.  We left Wooster at 7:00 am and arrived in Niles around 3:00 pm.

The day was hot and very humid.  We cycled on back roads, through the country side and even spent time riding on a lovely, secluded bike path.

We stopped for lunch at another Country diner.  It was good, but not as good as yesterday's spot.

85 miles tomorrow...with Michelle, Mike and Heather! And then our last rest day!

Can't wait to get my riding partner back on tour.

Best,

Michael

DAY 38. MARYSVILLE, OH TO WOOSTER, OH

Today's ride of 98 miles puts our two day total at just over 200 miles.  

The ride today was through the beautiful Ohio countryside.  We enjoyed rolling Country roads this morning before stopping for lunch.  We found the wonderful WHIFFLETREE RESTAURANT and enjoyed grilled ham , Swiss and tomato sandwiches and homemade Blueberry pie with just out of the icebox homemade ice cream for lunch.

After lunch we worked off our meal.  Rolling terrain turned into steep climbs and fast downhills.  We climbed some 4,500 feet through picturesque landscapes.

We're traveling through the area with the highest population of Amish in the world.....about 32,000 in this County.

On the final descent into town, 2 young Amish children stood at the end of their driveway selling freshly picked strawberries.  Since I had no way of carrying them, I called Jan and asked her to pick up a few quarts for everyone to enjoy as my treat.  She did and we did!

We arrived at the hotel about 30 minutes before the sky's opened up.

Tonight we had a remarkable dinner at a local restaurant in Wooster.  Several of the team enjoyed steak while I had a wonderful Chicken Marsala over pasta.  Several of us enjoyed raspberry Crete brûlée to finish off the meal.  Delicious.  I've probably gained weight on this adventure.  Time to diet when I get home.

Tomorrow is another 92 mile day but I have the treat of seeing Michelle, Mike and Heather at the end of the day.  I only wish Sarah, Mike, Spencer and Graysen could have come but I'll get to see the in Boston  in just over one week.

Best,

Michael

DAY 37. RICHMOND, IN TO MARYSVILLE, OH

It's not fair we had to ride 105 miles on Father's Day.  I should have been relaxing by the pool being waited on hand and foot.

Today's ride was beautiful, riding mostly on small, well paved Country roads.  Early in the ride we crossed our 10th State line into Ohio.  We're getting closer.

We stopped at the 78 mile mark for lunch at THE FARMER'S DAUGHTER restaurant.  I decided to go for another breakfast so I enjoyed my usual 3 eggs and hash browns but instead of toast I orders creeps with strawberrys.  This meal was sufficient to carry me through the final 27 miles.  Alan and Ross had their typical huge meals topped off with pie a la mode.

I found a wonderful wood carving proudly displayed on someone's front lawn.

Tonight will be an early night as tomorrow's ride is 97 miles with 10 miles of long steep hills.

Happy Fathers Day!

Best,

Michael