Ride Stats:
Distance: 53.7 Miles
Climbing: 2,749 ft
Ride Time: 3:37
Temp: - Warm and Humid - Did not note Temp
We completed the transcontinental on Wednesday 8/8/18. I am late with this post due to all the fun associated with the finish, then travelling home on 8/9.
This final ride was an enjoyable and well earned victory parade. We all rode with the great friends we made during this tour and just had a blast socializing and riding through the scenic New Hampshire rollers to the finish. We took our time, had fun, then all met at a golf course a couple of miles from the beach in order to ride the final miles as a group.
This has been a 10 year dream and journey for me. I had years of learning how to train and ride high mileage multi-day events, then had a major setback in 2016 that prevented my completing that year's Northern Transcontinental just 10 days prior to that tour. Clearing the final hill, then seeing the Atlantic Ocean, was a highly emotional experience for me. I could hardly believe that I had finally achieved my dream - an average rider going coast to coast in 32 days!!!
It was fun looking at the puzzled looks of the people on the beach wondering why a group of bicyclists were bringing their bikes to the water. Once they learned what was happening we received a number of congratulations on this major accomplishment.
For me, this had seemed to be an overwhelming challenge at the beginning of this year's trip. My focus has been on just trying to survive each day, with a strong element of relentless determination to complete each segment. Breaking down each day by focusing on riding to one SAG stop at a time. Making adjustments along the way in dealing with physical, weather and other issues.
After enjoying our victory celebration on the beach, we then crossed the street to the hotel and enjoyed our final lunch together. After lunch we began the process of packing our bikes for shipment, then checked into our hotel rooms. In the evening we enjoyed a celebration dinner, with lobster, salmon and other great entre options. After dinner, we watched a slide show of the trip, received award plaques for our achievement, then just had fun socializing afterward.
I cannot say enough about the great job that PAC Tour did on this complex trip. Lon Haldeman and Susan Notorangelo (owners) and the experienced support crew provided an outstanding rider experience. Every day the support and coordination was tremendous, helping us in dealing with our physical issues, bike issues and the complex logistics. They made it look easy, while dealing with many issues in the background. The support crew consisted of veterans from prior PAC Tour events and transcontinentals, providing helpful advice and encouragement along the way.
I will follow up this post with a final one highlighting advice and information based upon what I learned.
Pictures from today:
Congratulations seems to be a somewhat insufficient term for my great appreciation of what you have accomplished. Your memories will last your lifetime and they will ripen, expand and internalize as the years go by. You are a true veteran who has earned his stripes in the huge achievement of your trip.
ReplyDeleteLove you, and I am so proud to be your
Auntie