The final 18 miles into Revere Bach Boston

We set off as a group for the last 18 miles to the beach. As we approached the last five miles it started to rain, fortunately it had stopped when we got to the beach.

We had a police escort for the last five miles, with a tv camera crew at the beach.

Then it is on the beach to dip the front wheel in.






A great journey with a great group of people. Much more fun than you might imagine. I have been fortunate to have been able to ride every inch of the way.

We got a lift back by car to the hotel. A quick shower and then off to lunch with Paul and old friend of mine from Boston.

Dismantled the bike ready to fly tomorrow and tonight is a farewell dinner.

The big kahuna is now over apart from the trip home. Not sure I have any wonderful words of wisdom to offer. Perhaps I will do another log entry when it has all sunk in. After seven weeks returning to normal life will take some getting used to.

To finish this blog I wold like to say a big thank you

To Heather for supporting me.
To all of my sponsors for raising over £4,500 for The Multiple Sclerosis Society
To family and friends for their support.
To my fellow riders for their help and friendship
To Tracy and the Crossroads staff for their amazing job in supporting all the riders.
To Minister Sarah and all at Upton URC for their support and prayers.
To Eureka cycles for their help in preparing the bike

Tony


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Wheeler Rd,Burlington,United States

90 miles into Burlington. The last full day of riding

Not sure why but my legs are aching a little bit today. Unsure whether it is my mind saying there is only 18 miles to go or the fact that I have cycled some 3,400 miles or we have done 11,000 feet of climbing in the last two days.

We left Vermont this morning and cycled through New Hampshire into Massachusetts. Plenty of hills and nice scenery including a covered bridge.






- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad





I was really pleased we cycled through the small town of Concord.
I used to meet cycling friends there for rides when we lived nearby.

It was great to cycle through it again in New England sunshine.

Arrived at the hotel, many of the other riders have family meeting them there.

It seems strange that this great adventure will be over by 9.15 tomorrow.

Location:Wheeler Rd,Burlington,United States

Into the Vermont hills

We left Albany New York and headed towards Vermont, the green mountain state,

Amish along the road.





Vermont is a beautiful state with trees and hills, classic architecture.



We did a seven mile climb to a ski resort which tested the legs. I managed to get up without stopping along the way. We then had ups and downs. We then climbed hog back mountain. The view from the top was spectacular.




We rolled into Brattleboro the oldest town in Vermont around 2pm or lunch.




Tomorrow is our last full riding day with two star crossings.
Lots of climbing to come we are told.

Location:Chickering Dr,,United States

75 miles to Albany

Today we awoke to cool weather which necessitated a wind jacket. Fellow riders from California and Florida were in panic mode.


We had a good ride through pleasant countryside





We passed through Schenectady town centre on our way to Albany.




- overall fairly uneventful pleasant day of riding.

Only two full days of riding left on our trip.





Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

70 miles into Little Falls

A picture I forgot of Amish at work




Also you may not have seen the latest exhibit at The National Gallery




Today the weather was overcast but warm and we managed to miss the rain showers.

About 12 miles in Jim the local pastor laid on coffee and doughnuts for all the riders.


We then passed the smallest Chapel in the world apparently at marriages there is only room or the minister and the couple. The witnesses are in a boat.
It is also available for meditation.







We pleasantly made our way through the green countryside to Little Falls.




Here are falls.

The Erie canal also runs through.







A pretty but slightly run down town famous for its production of rennet for the cheese industry.

Free beer in the hotel at 5pm.

Location:Little Falls,United States

70 miles through upstate new York to Syracuse

We had a later start today as we had only 70 miles to complete.

The terrain was much like yesterday with rolling hills and plenty of small towns.

We crossed the Erie canal, details below.

The Erie Canal is a waterway in New York that travels about 363 miles (584 km) from Albany, New York, on the Hudson River to Buffalo, New York, at Lake Erie, completing a navigable water route from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes. The canal contains 36 locks and encompasses a total elevation differential of approximately 565 ft. (169 m). First proposed in 1807, it was under construction from 1817 to 1825 and officially opened[1] on October 26, 1825.




-Like our canals it is now used for leisure boating.

There is definitely a feeling that the end of the ride is approaching with only 4 full riding days left. Everyone is focused on staying safe and well to get to the end.

I felt a noise on the bike when climbing hills today and when I got to the hotel noticed the chain was about to come apart. Fortunately the team had a spare.

Photo is not very good.



I do carry spare links however a new chain is now fitted.

Two of our riders live very close to here so we had a number of supporters at the side of the road, which was really nice.

Just checked my MS site and it is standing at £4,507, Heather has £60 people have given her and still some to come from people who have promised an amount when I finish. So pleased with people's support and contributions.

Off to search for some beer!

using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:7th N St,Liverpool,United States

94 hilly miles into canandaigua and 3000 miles.

The weather today has been kind, nothing above 85F and a gentle breeze as we went east through upstate New York.

The hills have been fairly regular but achievable.

We celebrated 3000 miles of riding today.



Stopped for a pleasant lunch and then an ice cream at about 80 miles. I asked for a small ice cream!




If there is an ice cream shop then you can usually spot Roberta from the tandem team in there looking pleased with herself



Our hotel is one block away from one of the finger lakes, so I went by after I arrived.




Looked really good. Managed to get a beer by the lakeside.

I had the offer today of doing a sky dive from 10000 feet at the end of the day. Somehow it did not appeal. One of the riders lives nearby and her husband runs a sky diving business.

I am still not regretting turning down the idea.

Location:Eastern Blvd,Canandaigua,United States

80 miles long Lake Erie to Hamburg New York

We set off after a great rest day in Erie and crossed over into New York State.




The roads were good and a nice gentle breeze. The lakeside is very pretty




-


An old lighthouse by the side of the lake


As we are in more built up areas there are more places to stop for lunch.







This was one portion of raspberry cake. It served eight hungry cyclists.

A good days riding. One week today this great adventure will be over.



Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Commerce Pl,Hamburg,United States

Rest day in Erie Pennsylvania

Five of us went up to watch the Sea wolves play baseball. It was a great game in a great setting.



-





We had great seats facing the pitcher and there were two professional scouts sitting behind us so we learnt a lot about the game. Great family atmosphere.

This morning was taken up with washing and odd jobs. I then caught the ferry with my bike over to the state park and rode back.




This is a pleasure boat taking lunch parties on the lake





A beautiful spot, blue sky and sandy beaches on the edge of the lake.

Overall a restful day as we prepare for the next few days.

Location:W Dobbins Landing,Erie,United States

89 miles heading for a rest day in Erie Pennsylvania

A great holiday inn hotel last night. Beer 25cents a glass! Easily pleased after a long ride.

A steady hot ride into Erie passing some vineyards.

Our early lunch stop was at a root beer stand. We ordered the local specials, a root beer float and a turkey sandwich.



-









Temperatures in the high 90's and quite humid.

Erie is a good sized town and we are at a great hotel on the lake front.

View from the room





Quick shower and then found a beer called Wicked Anthony so had to have one.




The plan tonight is to go to a minor league baseball game.

Tomorrow will be washing, bike maintenance and sight seeing.








Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:W Dobbins Landing,Erie,United States

94 miles into Niles Ohio

Another day of reasonable climbing




Lots of twists and turns through beautiful tree lined quiet roads





As we are in built up areas the challenge is on to find a nice place for lunch rather than a petrol station. Today we had a great lunch at a family diner after about 60 miles.




We passed a very attractive lake,
It's a shame we could not go for a swim.




We also did about 8 miles along a beautiful cycle path.




The holiday inn express we are staying in also had a cold beer when we arrived.

Overall a great day.





Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Highland Terrace Blvd,Warren,United States