Cross Country: The Finale!
09-25-16, 06:37 PM
#1
Let's do a Century
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Cross Country: The Finale!
A perfect end to an incredible adventure!!
Kudos to Jim from Boston for escorting me from the Wayland Depot all the way through the heart of Boston to the Atlantic Ocean. He took me by many historic sites and shared the history of the area along the way. While I've toured Boston on foot I could see the value of having someone show you the city from an insider's perspective. We enjoyed roads with few cars, a bike path and of course urban riding amongst lots of vehicles, although lighter than it could be since it was Sunday. They even had a street blocked off just for non vehicle use along the "Dirty River". I'm thinking that Jim has some inside connections and arranged that street closure just for us???
There were LOTS of cyclists out all over the area but particularly around Concord. At first I thought they were part of our welcoming committee but they were simply cyclists out enjoying a beautiful early Fall day.
It hasn't sunk in that this ride is over, that I don't need to wash clothes tonight, look at tomorrow's route, check the weather forecast, plan for the next few nights stops, etc. After 41 days of riding out of 43 days, those things just become a normal activity. It's really not a bad gig at all.
I hope you've enjoyed following along each day. Hopefully this will give some of you the catalyst you need to experience something similar. If you're even thinking about it, you really should go ahead and start making finite plans to do it. Nothing beats seeing the US from the seat of a bicycle!!!
Jim and me at the North Bridge and Minute Man statue where the British retreated after facing a lot more opposition than expected.
The Redcoats!!
Another minute man monument
A bittersweet site......the end of Hwy 20 East......but for some the start of Hwy 20 West!!!
As Far East as I could ride on this trip.
The extremely supportive SAG crew!!
I love this map. One pedal stroke at a time!!!
Jim and his bike shop. A real treat to visit and meet Dan and Dave who have taken terrific care of all Jim's cycling needs. Hooray for our LBS's!!! I lost count of the bike shops I visited along the way.......especially for tubes!
Kudos to Jim from Boston for escorting me from the Wayland Depot all the way through the heart of Boston to the Atlantic Ocean. He took me by many historic sites and shared the history of the area along the way. While I've toured Boston on foot I could see the value of having someone show you the city from an insider's perspective. We enjoyed roads with few cars, a bike path and of course urban riding amongst lots of vehicles, although lighter than it could be since it was Sunday. They even had a street blocked off just for non vehicle use along the "Dirty River". I'm thinking that Jim has some inside connections and arranged that street closure just for us???
There were LOTS of cyclists out all over the area but particularly around Concord. At first I thought they were part of our welcoming committee but they were simply cyclists out enjoying a beautiful early Fall day.
It hasn't sunk in that this ride is over, that I don't need to wash clothes tonight, look at tomorrow's route, check the weather forecast, plan for the next few nights stops, etc. After 41 days of riding out of 43 days, those things just become a normal activity. It's really not a bad gig at all.
I hope you've enjoyed following along each day. Hopefully this will give some of you the catalyst you need to experience something similar. If you're even thinking about it, you really should go ahead and start making finite plans to do it. Nothing beats seeing the US from the seat of a bicycle!!!
Jim and me at the North Bridge and Minute Man statue where the British retreated after facing a lot more opposition than expected.
The Redcoats!!
Another minute man monument
A bittersweet site......the end of Hwy 20 East......but for some the start of Hwy 20 West!!!
As Far East as I could ride on this trip.
The extremely supportive SAG crew!!
I love this map. One pedal stroke at a time!!!
Jim and his bike shop. A real treat to visit and meet Dan and Dave who have taken terrific care of all Jim's cycling needs. Hooray for our LBS's!!! I lost count of the bike shops I visited along the way.......especially for tubes!
Last edited by jppe; 09-26-16 at 05:24 AM.
09-25-16, 07:31 PM
#2
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I just resumed cycling 2 weeks ago and found this forum a day or 2 later. I have enjoyed your nightly recaps and pictures very much! What an adventure!
Congratulations on your trip!
Congratulations on your trip!
09-25-16, 07:33 PM
#3
Senior Member
Congratulations Joe, thanks for the great show and the inspiration. Glad you had a great trip.
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George
George
09-25-16, 08:12 PM
#5
Junior Member
Well done!!! and congratulations. Thanks for taking the time each day to share and bring all of us along on your epic trip. I will miss checking your progress each day. Your trip is a fine example how remarkable things get done one day at a time.
09-25-16, 10:35 PM
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Can't believe it's over already.
09-25-16, 10:39 PM
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It sure went fast just following your posts - I'm sure it seemed a bit longer grinding out the miles. Still 43 days to cross the country is just outstanding.
I dream of having the time, resources, and legs to do this one day. I figure that by the time I have the time (e.g., retirement), I'll no longer have the legs. But one can dream.
I dream of having the time, resources, and legs to do this one day. I figure that by the time I have the time (e.g., retirement), I'll no longer have the legs. But one can dream.
09-26-16, 05:40 AM
#9
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Congrat's Joe !. An inspiration to us all.
I followed religiously and am in awe of how you accomplished this with the daily mileage you put in.
Thanks for the daily write-ups, some of the best stuff I've read here.
Safe trip home.
I followed religiously and am in awe of how you accomplished this with the daily mileage you put in.
Thanks for the daily write-ups, some of the best stuff I've read here.
Safe trip home.
09-26-16, 05:58 AM
#10
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Way to go Joe, read all the posts , loved the pictures, thanks for taking us on a great ride!
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"ready to navigate"
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09-26-16, 06:52 AM
#11
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Congrats!
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When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
09-26-16, 07:16 AM
#12
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Congratulations! I've got a cross country tour brewing in my head, mostly just screwing up the courage to tell my girl that I want to do it is all that's holding me back.
09-26-16, 08:39 AM
#13
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Echoing the comments of others ... your write ups were entertaining and inspiring. Congratulations on the amazing achievement!
09-26-16, 08:45 AM
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Wow ... you're living MY dream. 
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Proud parent of a happy inner child ...
Proud parent of a happy inner child ...
09-26-16, 08:47 AM
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I mentioned this earlier but I did a cross country in '97. Reading this has given me the itch to do another. Kudos to a great trip.
09-26-16, 09:43 AM
#16
Senior Member
CONGRATULATIONS, you did it!! Your tour has been awesome to follow... thanks for pulling us along. Now, hurry up get out of Boston so you can spend time with your new grand baby!!! Again, great job!!
09-26-16, 10:41 AM
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I loved following the posts -- thanks for taking us along with you. In a couple days (if not already) you are going to be SO bored!
09-26-16, 05:54 PM
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What a feat!
You look sooo skinny. Care to share before-after weight?
43 days, 41 on the bike. + a bunch of consecutive centuries.
Don't ever let anyone say to you 'HTFU'
You look sooo skinny. Care to share before-after weight?
43 days, 41 on the bike. + a bunch of consecutive centuries.
Don't ever let anyone say to you 'HTFU'
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Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
09-26-16, 06:05 PM
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Hearty congratulations! Been following your posts all the way across this adventure. You are the man, and kudos to the Mrs. for all the support along the way. Truly a team effort, I'm sure.
09-26-16, 06:35 PM
#23
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Congrats on finishing the trip. I don't recall reading about or seeing any rain days. A dry cross country ride is fantastic.
I don't recall reading about or seeing any rain days. A dry cross country ride is fantastic.
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The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
09-26-16, 07:29 PM
#24
Senior Member
Conga-Rats! You Made It!!!! You da Man!!!!
So..... What is next???
BTW, No F'n Way could I hope to ride 41 out of 43 days!! Well, maybe a couple of miles, but not coast-to-coast!
Now you have to break it all down for us. Total miles, Miles/day, miles/flat, etc. And I suspect you have more pics than just the ones you have posted. I know you need/deserve some time off, but when can we expect a comprehensive ride report???
Again, congrats on a Job Well Done!!!
So..... What is next???
BTW, No F'n Way could I hope to ride 41 out of 43 days!! Well, maybe a couple of miles, but not coast-to-coast!
Now you have to break it all down for us. Total miles, Miles/day, miles/flat, etc. And I suspect you have more pics than just the ones you have posted. I know you need/deserve some time off, but when can we expect a comprehensive ride report???
Again, congrats on a Job Well Done!!!