The Final State

Tilton NH to Sanford ME

55 Miles

Today we entered Maine on our way to our final destination of Portland Maine. The day started with a lot of difficult climbs of 10-15% with at least 2 miles on sandy, gravelly road making it quite challenging although extremely beautiful. 

Crossing into Maine, the Final State

The Sag van also had a hard day, getting a flat along that same sandy, gravelly road due to a big hole in the tire. With the help of Harold and Chris however the van was back on the road in no time and tonight continued on to its final destination of Portland ME. The van will spend tonight in Portland so our group can all ride to the finish together tomorrow.  

And tomorrow I will see Matt and Molly at East End Beach in Portland ME where we will dip our front wheels into the Atlantic Ocean to commemorate finishing our journey.

Thought it Was All Downhill After Yesterday-Not

Quechee VT to Tiltin NH

58 Miles

On the way to New Hampshire today I was surprised by the amount of climbing as I thought it was downhill after yesterday but it wasn't. However, the climbs were manageable but there was traffic and broken road surfaces for the first half that made the ride more challenging.  To add to the difficulty the skies were dark and ominous and we had our first rain in 58 days of riding. Luckily it was only a fine mist, lasted a short time, and was not accompanied by thunder and lightning. 

The second half of the ride was more downhill on better roads and I could enjoy the beautiful scenery.  Nancy and I rode the last mile to our hotel on a gravel path alongside a babbling brook. 

At night most of us ordered food to the hotel and we talked about plans to celebrate the end of our journey on Saturday. 

Steepest Climb Yet

Rutland VT to Quechee VT

42 Miles

Today's ride very quickly led us to an 8 mile climb up to Killington.  I've skied in the Northeast so I knew what to expect. In actuality Chris planned an exceptional route with most climbs under 9% so not too bad but our total climb for those 8 miles was around 1500 feet.  I rode with Nancy and we took our time, enjoyed the views, and then the descent into the town of Woodstock VT and then Quechee VT and the breathtaking Quechee Gorge.  Hope its all downhill to the Atlantic Ocean from here.

At night we went to Simon Pearce, first enjoying the tranquil mirror-like river setting

then visiting the glass blowing studio and shop

followed by dinner at the farm to table restaurant. 

Not sure if you can tell but there was a major thunderstorm outside hopefully followed by clear skies tomorrow. 

The Final Push Begins

Saratoga Springs NY to Rutland VT

75 Miles

Today began our last week of riding as we head for Portland Maine. We are all thinking of what the trip has meant, staying healthy and safe for the last few hundred miles, and how it will be to return to our everyday lives afterwards. 

Today's ride was mostly on rolling hills with beautiful vistas below.

Nancy coming up the hill

Entering Vermont

View from our hotel (credit to Suzanne for the photo)

At night we went downtown to a wonderful organic, farm to table restaurant, Roots. They were so busy we ordered food to go. I had tofu, bean cakes, and kale salad and then a fantastic green juice and vegan cookies at the Yellow Deli. 

Saratoga Springs

Rest Day before we begin our last of riding as we head for Portland Maine

Saratoga Springs is known for its historic racetracks and restorative spring water. Our hotel was a few miles out of town but had a shuttle to downtown so after our usual chores of cleaning our bikes, doing laundry, updating paperwork and hotel arrangements, etc we headed there. 

Walking around the adjacent neighborhood we saw stately mansions (many are now B&Bs) 

and on the Main Street a lot of street art 

including chalk drawings (Don't give up your daydream)

race horse sculptures 

and ballet shoe sculptures. 

We had lunch at Scallions, which had a vegan menu, a real treat. After our hundreds of miles biking this week I think Suzanne and I ordered every vegan item on the menu. We then had non dairy gelato afterwards. 

Guest Blogger

Little Falls NY to Saratoga Springs NY

72 Miles

My wife Sandi and I got to join my mom and the BBBRAA riders from Syracuse NY to Saratoga Springs, enjoying much of our riding along the nice, flat, Erie Canal path. It was such an incredible experience--everyone on the trip was super helpful in fitting us onto bikes, making sure we were as comfortable as two non-riders could be, lending us high-tech gear, taking care of our scrapes and sun burns, and making sure we made it back to the train in one piece and on-time. The scenery was amazing. It was hard to believe we were in New York the whole time, as everything was so different from our typical days in NYC, and the people were so friendly, drivers giving cyclists a wide shoulder, people welcoming us to their pie parties, and kids recommending places to eat. 

Sandi and I are in awe of your accomplishments. Every time I looked at my mom's jersey, which said "3200 miles," I was impressed anew. It was such a joy to be part of a small segment of this journey, and we are so proud of you and your accomplishments!

We ended at Congress Park where we joined friends of a friends daughter at a Pie Party

The Erie Canal

Syracuse NY to Little Falls NY

90 Miles

Riding along the Erie Canal trail and bike friendly roads for 90 miles. 

At night a local young woman directed us to a local restaurant that we got to via a "sketchy, smelly" tunnel (the woman's  description) under a bridge to Canal Place. I told her we were from NYC so no problem and it was perfectly fine. The server at our restaurant gave us little chocolates from her private collection as there was nothing on the dessert menu that interested us.  On our long walk back (again the woman's description) we came across this sign. 

Excitement in Syracuse: Rachel. Sandi, and the State Fair

Rochester NY to Syracuse NY

Sag Driver

Today was my turn to drive the Sag and I  took this photo from a bridge overlooking the canal. Riding along the canal has been fantastic, even in the van.

Rachel and Sandi are arriving later tonight via Amtrak and they will be here to celebrate Pete's 70th birthday and maybe go to the New York State Fair. Of course the big excitement is that they will ride with us this weekend. Yay!

15 Miles on the Erie Canal

Lockport NY to Rochester NY

66 Miles

Learning about the Erie Canal throughout school in New York it was great to actually ride on a crushed gravel path along the canal, not for 15 miles but 60 miles. 

If you're interested in the Erie Canal song:

http://www.songsforteaching.com/folk/eriecanal.htm

At night we went out with Peggy and Gene, friends of Nancy's friend Maureen. They live in Rochester and took us to a great restaurant on the Genesee River, Schooners, and then for a walk along the Rochester Harbor pier between the Genesee River and  Lake Ontario.