Day 52 - FINISH LINE!!!: Manchester, NH to Portsmouth, NH

THIS IS IT FOLKS! WE CROSS THE FINISH LINE TODAY.














Day 52: 23 July 2007

Manchester, NH (210 ft) to Portsmouth, NH (Sea Level!).
54 Miles.

Blog Address:
http://bikeboyglovach.blogspot.com

Videos on the WWW
http://public.box.net//greg98266
New Videos:

Day’s Theme:
From sea to shining sea!

Weather/Terrain:
A perfect day on all accounts – beautiful weather, finishing the ride, and being greeted by family and friends.
To top it off, there was harpoon IPA everywhere!!

How I’m/we’re feeling:
Thrilled – we are all thrilled!!

I am blessed – I thank God for many blessings, especially family and friends who encourage and support me always, a healthy body to do this ride, a country where we are allowed to enjoy it like this, and the good fortune in life to be able to afford and do this.

Notable Events:

All of us seeing the ocean for the first time in 52 days, and moments later, the wonderful family and friends that were there to great us.

Rider Profile: Greg Glovach, 44, from Waltham, MA.



Born and raised in Providence, RI, I now live in Waltham, MA – near Boston. I am a “temporarily” retired information services professional.
I started to seriously think about riding cross-country in 2001 when I did RAGBRAI with my cousins Frank & Guy from PA. Living in NH at the time, every time I went for a ride, I would ride off the road into this Gilmanton, NH school and ride my bike across this painted map of the United States in the school parking lot. I would slowly ride across it on my bicycle, and think “I will do this someday….”. Today was that day!!
My hobbies include bicycling, running, golfing, hiking, snowmobiling, and playing cards. I am an avid National Geographic reader, and in my dreams I work for NG and go global to write about and photograph the world!
From a “travel/vacation” perspective there are two things I have always wanted to do – ride my bicycle across America (complete), and go to Antarctica (stay tuned……).
I say:
“Life is not a race – it’s a ride. Go long”

Pictures:
What’s Happening:



Leaving Manchester, we travelled along nice country roads, and towards the seashore terrain.






Today I rode with Rocket and Erin Go Bike – as you can see, the America By Bicycle Shirt was the shirt of choice today!

I rode and hung out quite a bit with these two – they have become good friends and helped make my trip as enjoyable as it was.

Yes, for whatever reason, probably Strange brew in Manchester last night, we are all tilted left and 13 degrees around parallel.






Our group was a great group, and Robert and I enjoyed our time together.

Many friendships will survive this trip.

I will have to go to France and see how good his golf game is sometime soon………..






We gathered at Rye School for our procession to the beach.






Herb, Robert, Cliff, and Arlene led our procession to the beach.

Arlene, forever prepared, double checked the directions before she followed the police escort – just in case the police officer, yes the police officer from the town we were in, led us the wrong way!






We could smell it first, but this was our first glimpse of the Atlantic Ocean!!






We proceeded as a group up Route 1A, and to the beach.






We did it!!

We dipped our wheels, and looked pretty for a few more photographs.






This is my “little” cousin Justin.

He and my cousin Donald made the trip up to see me.

Notice his shirt? That is a picture of me (probably in my early 20s) and him as a little kid – 3+ feet ago…………






My family was there to great me – Lori, Lana, and Dad (Pete). That was awesome.

I also was greeted by my girlfriend Joan, and friends Lisa, Donna, Juliet, Barry, Mike, Paula, and the Kingman (Jesse).

I have been blessed with a great family and great friends! It is good to be home! J



Closing Note:






















There were many signs and messages that crossed our path as we crossed America, and this last one was there for us as we left from our dinner at the Portsmouth Brewing Company.

I am Bike Boy Glovach, and for now, “I’m Out!”

But, hopefully, in the words of another good friend T4 – “I’ll Be Back!”…………….

Day 51: Brattleboro, VT to Manchester, NH

COUNTDOWN TO THE FINISH LINE IN PORTSMOUTH, NH - JULY 24, 2007!!!














Day 51: 23 July 2007

Brattleboro, VT (226 ft) to Manchester, NH (210 ft).
86 Miles.

Blog Address:
http://bikeboyglovach.blogspot.com

Videos on the WWW
http://public.box.net//greg98266
New Videos:

Day’s Theme:
It’s not over, until you dip that wheel!

Weather/Terrain:
Perhaps the worst weather of the trip in some regards – cold (60s), wet, and a head wind! The NH roads were also rough, and quite narrow in spots. Although we started and finished at 200 feet above sea level, today was the second most feet of climbing we did on this whole tour – 6100 feet!

How I’m/we’re feeling:
Very well – I am ready to finish this thing off and celebrate! All other riders are feeling the same – there is no stopping us now. Remember that McFadden & Whitehead song from your disco days??

Notable Events:
The presentation of the CCC Map to “T4” Brian – the strongest man (or machine) on the trip – both physically and spiritually!

Rider Profile: Arlene Vester, 67, from Chatom, AL.


I know you have all already seen pictures of her and she is your favorite as she is mine, but this woman continues to impress and motivate us every day! Arlene was born in Ipswich, MA, and now lives in Chatom, AL. She has 4 children, 7 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren! A retired bank worker, Arlene has thought about and trained for this ride for a bit of time (since 1975!!), and when she tells you how she needed to carry all the water she needed due to the remote area of AL where she lived, you understand why she is so strong. But when she talks to you and you realize what a kind, unselfish, and good-hearted person she is, you realize why she is everyone’s favorite. She can ride!!
Arlene’s other hobbies include flowers, reading, swimming, and ball room dancing. She taught T4 quite a few steps which I am sure he permanently stored to non-volatile memory. Arlene and T4 had a great time together on this trip!! J
Arlene says:
“If you have any dreams in life, so after them.”
Listen to her my friends……….

Pictures:
What’s Happening:



Before we were even awake, we were in NH!

The Rocket, “California Dude” Mike, T4, and I crossed the line together, and continued on to….






Keene, NH, then up some nice climbs like Sullivan Street here.

This picture doesn’t show it well, but that is a long and steep uphill….






The climbing continued today, but, as I mentioned yesterday, climbing always brings good things.

Like Cold Spring Pond.

A beautiful mountain lake.

Nice that!






And, if you keep climbing, you eventually get to the top.

At the top of Pitchers Mountain, NH said “I am as beautiful as all those other states!”

A tough claim to argue!!






It rained pretty steadily, so, SAG II was in a barn which simply thrilled “Erin Go Bike”.

At this point she is simply laughing at this whole Cross Country Challenge – she is ready for the world!!






But to keep her in check, we had our final “test” of the trip – Joe English Road.

All riders got up it one way or another.






Near the top of it was this old house from 1756.






After I arrived from the cold, rainy conditions, I was greeted with warm smiles form the friends from the Granite Group – Joe and Josee.






We had our “Awards Ceremony” tonight. All riders received an award of some sort.

Brian, “T4”, was presented with the our official “Tracking Map” that was on display daily for us to see. Brain deserved it as he truly represented what this ride was about – meeting people, and seeing America. He rode with everyone in the group, the fastest and the slowest, and savored his entire trip. He took the time to talk with everyone, and beat The Rocket in the morning when he didn’t get out of bed.

He’s good him!! :)






One journey today ended in Brattleboro, VT – nice place that.

Closing Note:



You have seen some pictures of them already, and I didn’t profile them, but our America by Bicycle Staff certainly deserves my/our gratitude. Christine, Michelle, Gerard, Andy, and Tom (not here as he covered the first half before Christine arrived) served us all very well – both tactically, and personally. They encouraged us, supported the folks who rode fast as well as those who were out later than they should have been, and most importantly, encouraged all of us.

These are skilled, nice people who made the difference for all of us.

I know I speak for all riders when I simply say “Thank you very much”.