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Wow, the past 24 hours have been so emotionally overwhelming.  I can't believe we are done.  I can't believe I will not be getting on my bike tomorrow to ride 100 miles somewhere. 

Yesterday was one of the most amazing days of my life.  I did my final early luggage load at 6:00 AM and then hit the road.  The plan for us was to ride 48 miles to Rye Junior High School.  We would all meet there by 11:30 AM.  We could take group pictures and then the police escort would arrive and lead us the last 3 miles to Wallis Sand Beach on the coast of New Hampshire.

I started out the day pretty quiet, reflecting on the trip.  Then when Dale and Dan passed me in the morning and said "For the last time, passing on your left." I broke down.  It was a day full of lasts.  I rode into our final SAG stop at mile 28 and could not hold back the tears.  Because we had quite a lot of time to ride these 48 miles, all of us stopped at a bakery at mile 37, we were quite a sight.  Then we left to head to the Rye Junior High School, where there were tons of hugs, congratulations and pictures.  Most of us still in disbelief of what we had just accomplished. 

Then we set up for the police escort.  The 3 miles ride to the beach may have been the most amazing 3 miles of the whole trip.  All of us together, no one racing, cars stopping and pulling over for us, horns honking.  Then the final right turn into the beach, with all of our friends and family cheering.  I really have no words to describe the feelings.  The rain had held off all day and the moment we started the 3 mile ride, the rain came, needless to say, it did not impact our celebration. 

I was thrilled that the entire Vobis family (Jack, Lisa, Jake, Jessica, and Joshua) and that my great Boston friends, Jillian and Pooja, were there to share in this moment with me.  We all took off our shoes, carried our bikes over the sand, and walked right into the Atlantic Ocean.  The ocean never felt so good.  Then hugs, tears, pictures, and goodbyes started. 

Terry and I were chosen to do the ceremonial pouring of the water that we took from the Pacific Ocean in Astoria, Oregon in June into the Atlantic Ocean.  The entire group got together for this before we headed out.  Luckily, most people stayed the night in the same hotel so the celebration did not end.  We went back to the hotel to pack our bikes, drink champagne and really just soak up our final few hours together.  Most of us headed to dinner together, where we laughed and still tried to take in the fact that we just rode our bicycles across the country.  I can't believe how much has happened in 7 weeks.

Then the real hard part - the goodbyes.  It was so hard to say goodbye to everyone but especially Lucy.  She has been such a support to me for almost every minute of this trip.  When we got dropped off at the airport, it was overwhelming.  For the first time in 7 weeks I am on my own.  It will take some time to get used to that.

I hope you enjoy the pictures from the last few days.  Check back tomorrow - I have a few more posts to write and pictures to share.

Our celebration cake from the final banquet.

Dan and Dale - became riding partners on the first day and were usually the first people to pass me in the morning. 

Scene from the bakery

More of the bakery - what a crew!

48 miles into the ride - we stopped here to regroup and get escorted to the beach

All of the 60 year old or above riders.  Unbelievable!!!  True inspiration!

70 years old and older.  I just pray that I can still be riding when I reach their age.

All of our riders from outside the U.S.

Adrienne and me - getting ready for the final 3 miles

leaving with the police escort

Hitting the Atlantic Ocean never felt better!!

Getting ready to pour the Pacific Ocean into the Atlantic Ocean

We made it - Pacific into the Atlantic

Scene from the beach