Day 51: 23 July 2007
Brattleboro, VT (226 ft) to Manchester, NH (210 ft).
86 Miles.
Blog Address:
http://bikeboyglovach.blogspot.com
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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”.
1 comment:
Thanks for putting the pic of me in the barn..loser.
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