121 miles and 7100 feet of climbing. We got ‘er done today and oh what a day it was! The anticipation of completing this challenge was definitely evident at breakfast. There was lots of chatter about getting it done, reminiscing about earlier days on the tour and the feeling of being on the verge of completing something big!! The gazelles set a fast pace (do you think I was surprised??) and we all headed to our rendezvous point 4 miles from the beach. I was doing fine until after lunch when I inadvertently “decided” to do some bonus miles. By the time I got back on course I had added 8 miles and wasted a lot of time. I was quite bummed about this as it would mean that everyone else would have to wait for me before proceeding. I did my best to make up the lost time and probably rode harder than I had during the entire challenge. When I finally arrived at the staging area the group gave me a standing ovation. It probably helped that my back was still a mess, and I walked with a hunched over, lop sided gait. I think even the most hardened gazelle felt some sympathy for me! From there we proceeded to the beach under police escort. At the beach we all dipped our front tires into the surf and had a ceremony that involved pouring a bottle of Pacific Ocean water into the Atlantic. Afterward the police escorted us to the motel. We celebrated by having a banquet at a local restaurant and then returned to the motel for a wrap up ceremony. The staff awarded me their “Perseverance” award and in doing so noted that I spent more time on the bicycle than anyone else. Apparently I even did it with a good attitude. I was awarded a U.S. road map with our route highlighted. It is the same map that they hung in the motel lobbies each evening. All my fellow riders signed it. I was quite touched.
It will take some time for me to realize and fully process what we have accomplished. Right now I am drained, physically, emotionally and mentally. It has been intense. My odometer indicates that I covered 3,524 miles in 31 days of riding. I have spent time with an incredible group of people from throughout the country, England, Norway and New Zealand. I have worked harder than I ever thought possible. All I can say now is, “Wow, I did it!!”
Dipping the wheel in the Atlantic!
I can't believe I rode the whole thang!!
Jay, Daryl, Minnesota Mark, U.K Steve
Congratulations on an epic accomplishment Jay. How sweet it must feel!
ReplyDeleteOver 7,000 pageviews and over $8,000 raised. You've certainly got a lot of supporters and I'm proud to be one of them!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Big Brother! I am very proud of you! You should get the map framed and hang it in the Man Cave where I am sure you will spend some quality time soon.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Jack & I are verrrrry proud of you and verrrrry anxious for you to get home. 1206 just isn't the same without you!! Janel might be right about you spending quality time in the Man Cave but I don't think it will be for quite awhile. I think your quality time will be spent sleeping, sharing your stories, and grinning for the next few weeks!!
ReplyDeleteLove ya,
Leisa Rose
P.S.
ReplyDeleteI am up so early to get Jack off to Cedar Point. Can't wait until he is off somewhere again and you can tell me "I didn't hear the alarm" when I get home from taking him on his next adventure.
Leisa
Thanks for taking the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love learning more on this topic.
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Congrats and very cool. Eight or nine months ago when you told me you were going to do this, I was not surprised you would take on such a challenge and I knew you would complete it. Have to admit - I was totally amazed and surprised though, when you blogged regularly about you being the weakest rider. You are in very elite company - think about it - not many people can say they rode their bike across the country totalling 3,500 miles in a month! Not many people can say their brother did that and believe me I'm enjoying telling people about it! :)
ReplyDeleteany way you can turn your bike around and ride back to the west coast............gana miss checking the blog every day (lets not kid ourselves multiple times every day)
ReplyDeleteI agree Jared I checked the blog multiple times each day, what are we going to now? Maybe you and Jerry could blog about da cabin issues... See everyone soon
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Jay!! We are proud of you! Glad we could see you at the airport, I just wish the newsreporter could have made it. Mom tried to get her to come!! Get rested, can't wait to here more stories about your trip!
ReplyDeleteJoy
The gear system on this cruiser is the Shimano internal3-speed California Bikes.
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