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Post Trip Thoughts

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I was happy that I did the trip but you can't go home again!  The first trip at 70 across the southern route was much more exciting for me. It was a life time goal and regardless of how I  felt I pedaled every mile. I wanted to do this trip basically because it was a different route, I could validate that I was in pretty good shape for a 75 year old and that it again would be fun to do. Even though I trained hard for this trip I felt exhausted most of the time.  I still do not know if it was that I was five years older, or the terrain, or the fact that I had to give up 3 months of training to go through treatment and recovery for prostrate cancer. In my opinion the trip is more challenging because of steeper climbs and possibly longer climbs. Even the first 100 mile day (the first day in essence) was a challenge and I realized that once again I would be the slowest of the group. I was alright with that and realized more than in the last trip that I needed to van it n...
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DAY 46 North Conway NH to Portland ME 75 miles 2938 feet

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Please send comments to this blog or  bikerat70@gmail.com or 908-268-4250 Mission  Accomplished   Dipped the Tires in the Atlantic Ocean  End of  Cross Country Adventure II The guides let me and two others leave an hour before everyone else so that we could get lunch at mile 50 and then leave to bike the additional 17 miles to the beach so that when we got to the beach everyone would be together.  Worked out fairly well. They came and gave me a van ride 5 miles to lunch so we could all be together.  When I got to the pizza place Ann had already arrived and my nephew Scott was there as well.  What a great surprise and honor it was for him to take the day off from work and drive up from Connecuit to see the momentous occasion. I really didn't think I would get too wound up by finishing and dipping the tires in the Atlantic but I was and it was a great to realize what a major accomplishment it is to bike the USA. It was gr...
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DAY 45 Fairlee VT o North Conway NH 83 miles 6500 feet of climbing

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Please send comments to this blog or to  bikerat70@gmail.com or 908-268-4250 Once again it is raining (rain called for all day) and about 48 degrees.  I decided not to bike at all today because of the rain, cold and three major climbs.  Ann arrived at the hotel about noon and we followed the bike route to North Conway.  The trees were almost at peak with beautiful color.  If it hadn't been raining it would have been even more spectacular. The highway we were on for about 30 miles is a classic route to see the leaves it is called Kancamagus Highway -- Check it out next fall. As we drove we ran into grooved pavement for about 5 miles which made me even happier that I did not ride the bike.  All pictures below were taken in the White Mountain National Forest.  They would have been much better if it wasn't raining and overcast. Oh well next time I cycle across the country maybe it will be sunny! Shot from hotel we ...
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DAY 44 Ticonderoga NY to Fairlee VT 103 miles 7357

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Please send comments to this blog or  bikerat70@gmail.com or 908-268-4250 A NEW state! Even though everyday is a good day, today's goodness could be improved a bit.  I only biked 13 miles today -- not a stellar accomplishment but maybe a wise decision.  Check out the fog in the pictures below. Rain and 49 degrees all day is not a biker's favorite type of day to pedal in.  There were three major climbs on this ride, each of which I planned to take the van and bicycle all the miles in between.  The route was changed at the last moment because the original route included a ferry ride across Lake Champlain and the ferry was canceled because the lake is so low the ferry cannot run.  This meant we had to go up to the bridge across the lake which was about 10 miles out of the way and included more climbing than originally planned. Within the first 12 miles I climbed about 800 feet and was already beat. I decided to get in the van right then and get out when...
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DAY 43Piseco NY to Ticonderoga NY 84 miles 3968 fee tclimbing

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Please send comments to this blog or   bikerat70@gmail.com or 908-268-4250 Overcast and 39 degrees when I left at around 7 AM.  The leaves are really starting to have more color and because of the cold there was a lot of mist/fog off the lakes and rivers early in AM.  I used my winter gloves for the first time and shoe covers to keep my feet warm.  I kept them on all day except for the gloves. I had arranged for a van ride at mile 32 for a 4 mile climb. Unfortunately there was miscommunication and I pedaled all the way up. The descent of course was great.  Lunch was at a combination bike shop and cafe. By the way many of the roads and even this lunch spot were part of the Cycle Adirondacks bike trip I took last year.  After lunch I did get the van up the next ascent which was much steeper. I biked the remaining 15 miles into Ticonderoga which included a 5 mile descent and a ride along Lake George. Everyday is a good day even if the weather isn...
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