Day 49

Location - Portsmouth, New Hampshire Miles/Total Miles - 3,629 Climb - 2,500'

I did it! - With Kati, Jenn and Trevor, along with family and friends of all the other families cheering us on, we arrived at the beach under police escort to end a 3,600 mile journey across the United States and into Portsmouth. To say this is monumental is an understatement. Looking back to Astoria that first day when I wasn't sure I could ride so many miles day after day and finding myself knocking out over 500 miles per week along with nine centuries over 100 miles. The fear of climbing over huge mountain ranges and then finding myself standing at the top of Teton Pass looking down into Jackson Hole, knowing at that point the fear of not being up to the task was gone. At that point no daily goal seemed out of reach.

Another aspect of this trip was Mt Hood, the Tetons, Mt Rushmore, The Columbia, Snake and Mississippi Rivers, the Great Lakes and all the beautiful country in between. Did I mention Wall Drug?

All the posts with the encouragement, friends like John and Nancy checking in with me in Wyoming, Bill riding with me in Michigan, Kati arriving in Niagara Falls to support me the rest of the way, and then Jenn and Trevor surprising me in New Hampshire. I can't thank all of you enough for the support and encouragement.

All of us gathered one last time for this picture.

Day 48

Location - Brattleboro, Vermont Miles/Total Miles - 79/3,481 Climb - 5,050

If somebody told me you are going to ride your bike some 80 miles and climb up 5,000 feet I probably would have run the other way. After close to 3,500 miles it wasn't a problem at all. To put it into perspective, it's like riding from Ocotillo to Alpine, up the grade. Does anybody want to join me and head up the hill after I get back? We can stop at the Desert View Tower and celebrate with a beer.

Vermont is beautiful, villages that are picture perfect with quaint little shops, woods and streams everywhere and hills, lots of hills. But when you're only two days from finishing, who cares about any hills, rough roads, traffic or anything else that may get in your way?

This covered bridge is on a main thoroughfare - it's only one lane.

From the driving point of view, today was a dream...the scenery between upstate New York, then Vermont and soon New Hampshire, is worlds apart from anything we see in San Diego. I think Bud and I will plan a "fall colors trip" to this area sometime next year. But not by bike.

I did connect today with some of the riders in Woodbridge, VT for a little boutique shopping...quite by accident...and then they got on their bikes, and I very smugly got behind the wheel and drove on. They reached the hotel MUCH later than I.

Tomorrow, day 49 of 50, promises to be full of surprises, culminating in a "banquet" of sorts at the hotel...no one can quite believe their trip is coming to a close....

Til tomorrow......

Day 47

Location - Latham, New York Miles/Total Miles - 83/3,402 Climb - 2,100

Wow! - I'm sitting here, looking at the schedule with all the towns and there's only three left. It's beginning to dawn on me that I've just about finished this adventure. I've just about ridden my bike all the way across the US . . . that's just nuts! And now, just two climbs and it's over. I can't wait.

This little church was on the route today, built in the 1700's.

After his ride, Bud switched gears, showered, and off we went north to Saratoga Springs, where the horse racing season pretty much parallels Del Mar's...a few people went up there to play the horses, but Bud took me up to explore the town, the shops and the sights...

Were we surprised! There is amazing house after amazing house...all very old but looking like an historical district, many privately owned, some as b & b's, and most just gorgeous.

My drive today (while they were cycling)was beautiful, although I couldn't follow the bikes for most of the route, as they transitioned to a bike path. Tomorrow morning I will return to the final part of today's ride on the path along the Erie Canal, which is still ambling along, for my walk. The scenery shouldn't be missed, I hear. The canal goes all the way from Buffalo to the Hudson River, and, although it's no longer used for commerce, it's well maintained probably for private boating and tourism.

Each day is proving to be something new and interesting. Hopefully we'll have more stories tomorrow. Before we know it, we'll be heading home...hard to believe!

Day 46

Location - Little Falls, New York Miles/Total Miles - 79/3,319 Climb - 1,610

Somebody asked about the humidity and temperature back here and all I can say is it's the same as San Diego . . . balmy, 70's and not humid at all (hope I haven't jinxed everything). Along with good weather we also got to ride along the canal again today and when we finished we took a trip to Cooperstown and the Baseball Hall of Fame. Lot's of memorabilia great little town and good times. Along with Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth our focus was on anything Padres. It was kind of slim pickings but we saw some Tony Gwynn stuff as well as mention of Trevor Hoffman, Adrian Gonzales and others who have passed through at one time during their careers (Rickey Henderson, Steve Garvey, Willie McCovey, Dave Winfield and Ozzie Smith...to name a few)

This is the SD Padres locker....

and below,

a tribute to Tony Gwynn's induction into the Hall of Fame...it was a great place to visit, a quaint town, beautiful drive getting there and yes, they have ice cream, which is mandatory eating for the cycling set.

I am SO enjoying this drive through Upstate New York...when you think ofr NY, this is not what comes to mind. It is just beautiful. Spread out and lots of open space.

Bud is exhausted. Four more days of cycling, and Saturday and Sunday promise to be extremely difficult. He's totally up to it, of course, but exhausted. I think he'll sleep the whole first week ho9me (although he says he'll be right back on his bike, or Jason's, if his is still en route) I still cannot believe the amazing accomplishment for this whole group of 50, who, amazingly, are all still intact...a first....

Day 45

Location - Liverpool, New York Miles/Total Miles - 93/3,240 Climb - 1,600

We started our day riding along the Erie Canal on a bike path for twenty-six miles and on a road that paralleled it after the path ended. The locks on the canal are still in working condition and although commercial traffic is almost non-existent these days, the waterway is a recreational paradise. Industries that once lined the canal are now gone, making way for homes and villages catering to recreational traffic. Passing old Victorian homes and through turn of the century towns in a setting that is beyond beautiful, we ended our day in Liverpool. Not without problems though. Taking a wrong turn I managed to do just under another century today . . . Oh well.

I, on the other hand, didn't get any of the Erie Canal...no cars allowed. So I estimated Bud's location, plugged it in, and found his group with ease via the Interstate. I can't believe I had to bypass that part of the trip. I missed Palmyra, NY as well. So tomorrow, no highways...it's back to the turn by turn, where all the action seems to be.

After reaching Liverpool, it was time for lunch and then, a nap. Tired riders after many miles. Pretty much a nondescript day, but a good one. Tomorrow, after yet another day of riding, it's Cooperstown! We'll have a carload for that adventure, no bikes allowed!

Day 44

Location - Henrietta, New York Miles/Total Miles - 82/3,147 Climb - 1,550

Kati chased me out of Denny's this morning at 7:30 am and it was tail winds all the way to Henrietta. I covered the distance in about five hours, finding Kati waiting for me at the luxurious Super 8 Motel.

I got cleaned up and we took a ride out into the countryside where we discovered Mendon Ponds Park which was just beautiful. The "ponds' around hear are like San Vicente Lake. The lakes are like oceans. . . we also got a look at one of the locks along the Erie Canal.

You can buy this brand new house for $260,000 - There's a trade off though - You have to shovel ten feet of snow each year.

Kati Writes - So, up at 5:30 for what has become Bud's a.m. ritual, and then off to Denny's to see the whole group downing massive amounts of food. Massive. Really. I took a long walk back to the Canadian side for a last look at the Falls....breathtaking. Quick shower, and off I went, armed with a copy of Bud's turn-by-turn directions. I wanted a first-hand look at a day in the life of a road biker. These guys are animals. I finally found Bud and 3 others leading the pack, way out ahead and pushing so hard! It really is a race! I stopped for a quick hi and a photo (which was lousy), and then I forged ahead to the hotel. The rest you've already read.

Tomorrow will be a repeat. I'm staying off the interstate, as the scenery, terrain, architecture, flora and fauna are remarkable and also so different than SoCal. Let's see what changes tomorrow will bring.




That's Kati at lock 32 on the Erie Canal and the other picture is of Mendon Pond.

Day 43

Location - Niagara Falls, New York Miles/Total Miles - 0/3,065

Yesterday I went over 3,000 miles, that's 3,000 miles on a bicycle in six weeks - I've lost it. All I can say is that today is a well deserved day off and I might add my last day off until this ride's done.

Kati arrived last night around 11:30 PM and by the time we got to bed it was way past midnight. That didn't stop us though, we left our room around 8:00 AM to view the falls and didn't return until 3:00 PM. We went down to the bottom of the falls to the caves, rode the maiden of the mist, crossed the bridge into Canada and view the falls from that side, strolled through all the parks and are returning tonight to see them lit with lights. Basically we devoted the entire day to the falls.

The is the American Falls.

This is the Horseshoe Falls in Canada

Kati and I at the base of the American Falls.

Day 42

Location - Niagara Falls, New York Miles/Total Miles - 72/3,065 Climb - 1,400

Well, I'm back in the USA and what a dramatic entry . . . Niagara Falls. It's just something everybody has to see in their lifetime, I'm in awe. I had a good run in but the weather wasn't as cooperative as it could be and everyone got wet. Certainly not that much of a setback considering this is only the second rainy day so far. I followed the Niagara River for some time before the falls - quite and angry river with lots of rapids.

Kati comes tonight and I'm finally in a private room . . . being with two other guys in a small hotel room each night has the touch of old military service way back in my past but was worth the trouble considering the lasting friendships I've made.

Not much sunshine - hope that changes tomorrow.

Susan and Larry along with Paul and Maggie sent this beautiful basket with something other than buffet food in it - Thank you so much - I'm so lucky to have such good friends.

Day 41

Location - Brantford, Ontario Miles/Total Miles - 66/2,993 Climb - 1,250

Today was just a great day for riding - a short distance of only 66 miles, tail winds, sunshine all day, what more could you ask for? I was one of the first out of the hotel and the first to finish as well - some say that I'm racing to Niagara Falls, only it won't come any faster considering the distance we ride each day is the same for everyone. Well Kati, I guess I'll just have to wait until tomorrow.

As you can see from the photo, the corn is much different in Canada . . . It's green, grows to about seven feet and produces yellow ears of corn - that's certainly a lot different than it's counterpart in the USA. Yes, and don't forget the barns (much different) they're red in this country . . . very unique.

Kati, I just couldn't help myself, it's in escrow.

Day 40

Location - London, Ontario Miles/Total Miles - 81/2,927 Climb - 1,500

Today we crossed the Blue Water bridge into Canada, clearing customs and heading into a country side that looks much like what we've been through in the USA. I could only get a picture of the group queuing up and then we were told to put the cameras away while crossing over the bridge.

I've noticed that all across this northern tier of America people like to take care of their yards more than us city dwellers. This shot is a great example of what hard work and great results that are commonplace all the way across. I've seen perfectly mowed lawns that are three acres and nine times out of ten, the women of the house is out mowing them.

This is what I'm staring at most of the day, on the lower left part of my handle bars you'll see the top edge of my mirror (installed after a truck almost hit me). The paper with the clips is our route sheet the shows all the turns and mileage to them, my GPS which has mileage, speed, time of day, time on the bike and %of grade(how steep the hill is).

I'll bet you can't guess what I'm doing.

Day 39

Location - Port Huron, Michigan Miles/Total Miles - 87/2,846 Climb - 800

I'm beginning to think that Michigan is the flatest state in the union - not that I'm complaining but if it wasn't for the trees, you could see all the way to New York. The ride started out on the cool side and for the most part was in farmland. With the wind at our backs

we made good time over the 87 miles and arrived at noon. Next stop was the quay brewery in downtown Port Huron, an old town with many restored buildings.

This is the bridge we will be taking to get over the St Clair River to Canada. They are going to close the bridge to car traffic while we cross.

These are shots of houses along the lakefront. Although the area is beautiful with all the beautiful landscaping and green lawns, I wouldn't be caught dead anywhere near this place in January.

OK, I'm on for this but I don't see one person I know on the list of registrants. If you all go, I'll go.

Day 38

Location - Birch Run, Michigan Miles/Total Miles - 74/2,759 Climb - 625

Today was one of those days that you got on the road, put your head down and got it done. The terrain was virtually flat so I jumped into a pace line that was averaging 21 mph and that did the trick. We did have a bit of a scare when a cat ran out of a corn field and across our path narrowly missing the lead rider. I being second and anticipating the impending crash pulled wide just as a car was coming (which also saw the cat and pulled wide) - the cat missed the first bike by a fraction of an inch, mine by a foot and the car by a fraction of an inch on it's terrified sprint across the road. Our speed dropped considerably after this encounter.

Knowing that John (my room mate) stops at almost every bakery along the way, I stopped at one in a small town that I was sure he would try. I bought a Cinnamon roll, put it in a bag with his name on it, placed it on the counter for pick up and continued on. He was a bit surprised when he walked in a bit later and the lady knew his name and what he wanted.

Flowers are the theme of the day - If you look closely there is red sumac in this picture that Bill told me is blooming everywhere right now

Day 37

Location - Mount Pleasant, Michigan Miles/Total Miles - 113/2,685 Climb - 2,400

My Brother in Law, Bill Osborn, meet me at the hotel this morning and road 50 miles before he had to turn back to get his car and head home. He lives in Grand Rapids, about a 90 minute drive from Ludington. It was great to see him, for one thing, his map skills are better than mine and he got us through every turn headed in the right direction. My question to him when we first thought of riding together was why he didn't just ride with us the whole day. His answer was "Hey, I've got to go back and get my car". So because he had to retrace his steps, he also did a century today.

I saw this contraption on a corner in big falls . . . it's a drinking fountain.

An old school house just outside of Mount Pleasant

Day 36

Location - Ludington, Michigan Miles/Total Miles - 7/2,572

Today we took a ferry 60 miles across Lake Michigan into the state of Michigan (Where Kati's brother Bill lives). The ferry was coal fired (of all things - not what California would allow) built in 1952. It took us four hours and also put us into the eastern time zone which added another hour. The day, being dedicated to the transit, was about the most boring one we've had so far - not much to report other than I'm all caught up on the sports scene after watching four hours of ESPN.

There was a bunch of old Victorians like this on the way out of Ludington to the hotel.