A leisurely morning ride turned into a quick moving paceline, everyone eager to see the beach.
The paceline pals of the last day... include Steve, Tim, Keith, Jeff and Jenn, Cathy, DeNyce and Cheryl.
| Day
50 ~
The final day. |
Jersey day. Final Day of ABB North Tour 2003. Accomplishment of a goal. Arrival at Atlantic Ocean. Bittersweet end to a dream journey. Farewell to new friends. The plan of the day was to load up luggage in Ryder truck (for the final time), have continental breakfast at the hotel and then take a leisurely ride to Rye Junior H.S. where we would reconvene our group to parade together to Wallis Sands State Beach near Portsmouth, NH. It was a warm, humid day with gentle sea breezes. The temperature was in the low and mid 70's all morning. Our ride to the beach did have some hills, (total climbing for the day was 2300) and seems our muscles were crying out after yesterdays steep climbs. Once we got to the Junior H.S. staging area, we were entertained by Dan and Gerard. Fabulous. After the group shot, the police escorted us the final 3 miles to the beach, where we dipped our front wheels in the Atlantic Ocean, reminisced the our time together, and celebrated our accomplishments. |
A leisurely morning ride turned into a quick moving paceline, everyone eager to see the beach. |
The paceline pals of the last day... include Steve, Tim, Keith, Jeff and Jenn, Cathy, DeNyce and Cheryl. |
 9 o'clock shot of the day The final SAG stop of the ride. The staff was really trying to move the apples, bananas and oranges. |
 Mary's butt sticker reads: "Unless you're a hemorrhoid STAY OFF MY ASS" |
 (Mike's wife, Matt's mom) Eleanor is at the SAG stops to support her husband & son..but she is also supporting her toy poodle at the same time. |
 Me and Oli's Bakery and Cafe was a great place to kill some time with fellow cyclist. (We didn't have to be at the school for another hour and a half and had only about 10 miles to go.) |
 Gerard and Dan (on the right) entertain the antsy group with an original song written by Dan. These guys have talent, humor and a great ability to entertain. |
 Dan was singing a song he wrote on this trip titled "Reach" while Gerard brought the music to life with his awesome improv. |
 The energy was so astounding that Papa Mike moved along the crowd finding dancing partners. Cathy was the lucky first. |
 Congratulations to the 2003 ABB North Tour. All of us started in Astoria Oregon and cycled to Portsmouth, New Hampshire 38 riders and 7 staff. |
  We were escorted to the beach by police car and our own "Red" van. The journey was exciting and yet bittersweet. |
 We'll miss the strong and steady Team Minnesota. Cheryl along with Denyce and Keith are fun to hang with. |
 Formerly known as "recumbent John", after purchasing a "regular" bike in Idaho he became known as either "upright John" or "conversion John" |
 Papa Mike and Matt bonded strongly with each other and our family of cyclist over the past seven weeks. |
 Team Stop-a-Lot is always goofing around and spreading cheer. Steve, Dan, Mary and Clark were a hoot. |
Bill, Jeff , Steve and Jenn, |
 Hooray... we rode all the way across America, did our ceremonial dipping of the front wheel followed by a kiss while reminiscing this day three years ago. |