56 miles ridden – 2100 feet climbed.
I had mixed feelings eating plastic eggs at 6am this morning but it was the last time (at least for a long while). We were all excited and keen to finish the challenge so bag loading was quick and we were on our way.
As before, charming little towns and pretty landscapes:
Having ridden 3600 miles across the US without any major issues it seemed I was pushing my luck to expect today to pass without incident and I was right. At one point when I happened to be cycling on my own my Garmin froze without me noticing until I was far enough off course that I couldn’t work out where I was. When I finally got it working it still couldn’t show me where I needed to go so I just started retracing my steps and eventually picked up the correct route after a 5 mile detour. Then my chain came off. BUT – I cycled across the entire USA with NO punctures!
We had to be at Rye High School by 11:30 and still had plenty of time so we descended on a coffee shop en masse for an hour or so:
Then we cycled a further 10 miles to the gathering point in Rye for the last full group photos and then we picked up our police escort for the final 3 mile run to the beach. That was a lot of fun:
Finally we reached the finish and I am not ashamed to say I shed more than a tear or 500 especially when I saw Sue. After being peeled away from her we went down to the sea for the ceremonial wheel dip and photos.
I can’t begin to explain how I feel right now – I will add an epilogue in the next few days. In the meantime thanks to everyone for their kind messages and support.
After 3,691 miles from Astoria in Oregon to Portsmouth New Hampshire I have fulfilled a 25 year old dream. It feels really good.
Thanks and love to all.
HI Nick
We recently had Elliott for a bbq in our home & Oliver recently camped with him & his brother in the new forest.
That is when Elliott told me about your blog. I have been following you & was really impressed by your achievement.
A few years back we crossed the Astoria bridge when starting our drive down the coast of Oregon with Oliver but in a much lazier way, driving a Dodge Charger… What a country!
Congratulations Nick. Love to you & Sue
Very well done.
François.
Thank you Francois, your email and kind words are very much appreciated.
Sue and I send our love and best wishes to you both especially with your sad loss.
Hope to see you once we are back.
Thanks Nick. Well done. Incredible.
Mazeltov on an achievement of a lifetime – we are all seriously impressed. Enjoy the rest of your trip – love to all.
Well done
From the Kaplan Family xx (ps I bet the Atlantic was colder than the Pacific – quite an enormous effort on your part just to find out!)
Congrats. Australia next.
Bt the way I don’t remember her name either just Sue running around naked.
Love from Kay gang.
Thanks – I remembered the Sue naked bit…..
Love to all.
Hi nick congratulations wow what an achievement looking forward to seeing you love shelley
Thanks Judith. We are now happily ensconced in a waterfront cottage in Maine without a bike in sight.
Love to you all.
Thanks Shelley – love to you all and hope to see you soon after we are back.
Hi Nick, Congratulations for your fantastic achievement !
Thanks Valentina – hope you and your family are well
Hi Nick not sure what to say to you about your achievement, I’m so pleased for you. Your family must be so proud of you finishing the ride.
So what’s next Nick
Ray & April.
Thanks Ray – I’ll be in touch when I am back. Keep well