Reporting on: Thursday, June 25, 2009
Riding Route: From Brattleboro, VT to Burlington (Boston), MA
Temperature: in the 70's/ Winds: 10 mph
Elevation Climb: 5900 feet
Miles Ridden: 91 miles



For the third day in a row I woke up with a very upset stomach. I've been riding the best I could - but today I took a "bump" and rode in the van. I haven't been able to eat anything - and the multiple trips to the loo have left me dehydrated, achy and in general feeling crummy. I am really bummed to have missed one of the prettiest days of the ride through the heart of the "founding of America" countryside. Oh, so much great history! (One other of our riders, Alec, is also sick with the same thing. It was a tough thing for him to "bump" today, because he has ridden every other inch of the ride.).


I told you yesterday that my friend, Todd McDonough, came to Brattleboro to ride with me. No problem though! He rode with Champ and did a great job. It was one of the longest rides he's done! I'm sorry I couldn't have shared the time with you Todd! And thanks Champ, you're a real "champ" in my book for filling in for me! Dr. George (one of our riders) gave me some Cipro - and I think it's working! I had dinner tonight - the first meal in two days.


Tomorrow is our ceremonial 18 mile ride to Revere Beach. We ride the last 5 miles in a procession with an escort and end the trip by dipping our front tires in the Atlantic Ocean. Tomorrow night we have a closing banquet which will be very emotional. We've become a very close group - laughing, crying, helping each other etc.


I was excited to have Carol, Steve and Andrea and Ron and Nancy here for the closing events. Several of the people have family and friends here supporting them too.

When I look at the big map that gets set up in the hotel lobby each day and see the black line that shows the route we followed - it sinks in that I rode my bike the whole way (well almost!) I have trouble comprehending the task we undertook. When you're riding 85 miles a day - virtually every day - it all kind of becomes a blur. I'm sure as I sit back and reflect on the highs, lows and in-betweens - it will all fall into place.


Only one more entry in this fabulous experience...dipping the tires in the Atlantic - and our group dinner.