Todays Distance: 29 miles
Cycling time: 2 hrs 19 mins
Average Speed: 12.7 mph
Centuries so far: 13
Punctures so far: 11
Today’s Profile:
Today’s Route:
Dedication: There is a double dedication for this special final day.
I cycled in gratitude to all those who have contributed to Providence because of this cycle. Your contributions go in full to the benefit of the children. The fund is still open for others to contribute.
I also cycled for the Unknown Soldier. There are people, I am sure that I should have mentioned. And there are children in Providence who did not appear in the dedications. Do not think that you are not included. You are. This most special day is for you.
Now on the final day. Unbelievable that it has arrived. This day will see the culmination of something that started almost two years ago as a grand notion and aspiration. I knew it would be an emotional one.
I had stayed in Ted’s house overnight and for the first time in seven weeks I didn’t have my bike in the bedroom. Would it be OK and cosy in the garage? Should I drop down during the night just to re-assure it in the early hours? However, both of us got through the night just fine.
Only had 29 miles to do today to complete the challenge. Today would be heavily charged so I was glad I got plenty of mileage done yesterday. Started at 11 am (a late start) on Walpole Road just where we had finished. 
The weather was fine though the forecast was for trouble. Still on rural roads for the 4 miles to the rendezvous with Bob.
Along the road I had to struggle to concentrate. The occasion was very much on my mind. A lapse could spell disaster at any moment. What a pity that would be. I spotted a number of roads that reassured me and I just knew that they were guiding me. There had been so many Charles Roads back Boston way and one near my route in Pawtuckett. No sign of a Barrie (Barry) Road. I didn’t really expect to see a Sinead Road or a Saoirse Street. As time went by and with Ted and Michael firmly in control of navigation I regained my focus. No call for any heroics at this stage (or at any stage)
We rendezvoused with Bob as arranged at the junction of Washington and Hickory Road just south of North Attleboro. He was going to lead me along a bike-friendly route to central Providence. The skies were inclined to put a stop to our gallop. Motorists at the junction suggested that we take shelter from the approaching storm. A nearby pharmacy was established as base. Very fortunate. 
For almost half an hour it bucketed and there was no going anywhere. When it had eased off and the lightning had stopped Bob and I pulled out for this stage….a little over twenty miles ahead.
With so much surface water about and trying to keep an eye on Bob there was no opportunity for photos. Puddles of water could be hiding serious hazards. Bob’s route zig-zagged through built-up areas and his flashers were my lifeline. If I lost those I was lost. He excelled by slowing at every type of junction. On the roads we took there was no Welcome to Rhode Island notice for a photo. The rain (eased a little) was another factor against photos.
I cycled through Cumberland and Pawtuckett and down Blackstone Boulevard (with its new bike lane) before swinging in by the Amtrak Station in Providence. The first thing I spotted inside the central concourse was a large welcome sign. I accepted graciously.
Ted had arranged a ‘few people’ for an official arrival at Water Place Park just beneath Rhode Island State House, atop of which stands the Independance Man. It is a Venice inspired area for strolling and for free concerts.
The plan was that I would arrive at 3.20 pm by coming through the tunnel at the far end and cycle around to the right to finish at the covered section. There had been pretty constant rain but it eased off at this stage.
I arrived to a welcome by the Mayor of Providence, David Cicilline, members of the India Association of Rhode Island, Michael Ryan, Pat Dalton (Golden and Providence) and many friends of Ted and Karin. It was emotional to finally complete but also to be received graciously. Michael and Ted had a Welcome banner up with the Ireland and India flags. In time the wind vented its anger on the same banner
. 
The mayor congratulated me on the achievement and presented a beautiful Citizens Citation. I was chuffed. 
I thanked all for their welcome and for being there and spoke of today as the culmination of an undertaking that was almost two years old. It was always going to be for the benefit of Providence from the start. The 4000 miles had been cycled; the USA had been traversed; the 54 days finished and the challenge complete. Thank God there had been no ill-effects or health issues. I had been so lucky.
Last night Ted and Karin hosted a reception in their beautiful home for friends to mark the conclusion. Was thrilled to meet so many genuinely interested people and relax in a friendly atmosphere.
Thank God for the health and thank god for the energy.
NUMBERS FOR THE COMPLETE TRIP
Distance cycled: 4,021 miles. (6721 km)
Hours of cycling: 288 hours.
Feet climbed: 129, 857 feet (25.76 miles or 41 km)
Calories burned: 252,509 calories.
Average Heartbeat: 109 beats per minute.
Average Cadence: 75 revs per minute.
Number of lbs lost ; 11 lbs
Centuries: 13
Punctures; 11
Days: 49 days cycling; 5 days rest.
States crossed : 15
Time Zones: 4
NB: There will one more general posting to the blog in the next few days. Thanks to all who kept in contact by means of it and to those who contributed comments.
For me it was alarm, breakfast and loading as usual. At the same time twenty of the other cyclists were checking out and loading all their gear onto the shuttle for Boston Airport. Another round of farewells and photographs. Never would our unique group be together again, but I know that we’ll be in contact
Ted and I went over the route one more time in the lobby. Cue sheets checked, maps highlighted and suggested stops marked. This was the first such day on this trip. ABB weren’t there should things go wrong.
I started out from Wallis Beach where we dipped our wheels in the Atlantic yesterday. At this hour of 7 a.m. there was no problem find parking space. Bike reassembled and ready to hit the road. Weather conditions were a mixed bag. Scattered rain in the morning with the threat of thunderstorms in the afternoon but a north-east wind. I liked that idea.
For a change I was heading southwards with a light north-east wind in my back. Was lovely to have the ocean there on the left and I was getting use to that sea smell again. Not a hill in sight till after Boston. I was beginning to miss those climbs!!
The early miles passed through Hampton. A busy resort by the looks of it. Some fine residences about, but on the main strip it gave the impression of a Bundoran. At this hour the only movement was people off to restaurants for breakfast.
I was disappointed that there was no notice that I was now entering Massachusetts with a welcome sign. I went back and enquired. Even locals couldn’t help. On the far side facing the other way there was a welcome to New Hampshire. Had to be satisfied with the notice that I was entering Salisbury, the first town in Massachusetts. Utah was the only other state with no Welcome sign as we entered at Wendover.
On Ferry Road before Newburyport I had a touch of the rural. A nice road with bulrushes on both sides at one stage. There was a detour from our planned route because of a bridge being out. It didn’t add many extra miles or cause difficulty.
While on the detour I spotted an interesting WANTED sign. I think I have a few addresses from Illinois and Indiana that I can supply. No dogs at all entered the picture today.
Coming into Salem (of the witches) brought me over the massive bridge and I continued through the road construction (resurfacing). Support staff had to do a bit of a round and fell behind. Saw a number of ‘witches’ walking about who were tour guides or hostesses in restaurants. Enquired about the location of the courthouse (where we arranged to meet) to be told that there were three along the street. “Which one would you like?”
Support staff today (Ted and Michael) had a hard act to follow after the performance of ABB over the last seven weeks. But they turned up trumps in all aspects. Had a green shopping bag tied to the roof-rack and I could spot it in the traffic. No missed turns and at all landmarks on or before schedule.
Just after noon as we passed through Everett, the downtown of Boston appeared on the skyline. Everett had all the services of an active neighbourhood including its Credit Union. I did notice that some few motorists were a little more impatient than in other states. Pulling out in front of you thinking that cyclists move at walking pace. And cars reversing out onto busy roads. I can’t say that there was real danger but it was different.
Entered central Boston after crossing over Charlestown Bridge. Was a tad underwhelmed by the said bridge. For some reason I had expected it to be an architectural gem.
Boston was lunchtime. We had arrived at 1 pm, a half-hour ahead of expected time of arrival. Pulled up at Quincy Market and there was only one place that I wanted to eat…Dick’s Last Resort where you got to eat with attitude. Had the Wednesday Special… ‘Dick’s Big Pig’. Even got crowned by the waitress.
All morning had been fine with a slight tailwind but rain appeared as I restarted after lunch. Raingear on as I cycled up between the towering office blocks in downtown. Made great headway by cycling right up to the red lights and then first away. State Street and left onto Congress, over the bridge and right onto A Street. By the time I was halfway down Dorchester the rain jacket was off again and it stayed off for the rest of the day.
Dorchester passed through south Boston which has strong Irish connections. At one junction there was the large church of the Blessed Mother Teresa parish. Dorchester went on for miles in a straight line till I crossed over the Neponset River.
No sooner had we packed in the bike but the heavens opened. I was just 4.5 miles short of the best scenario that I had planned out for today. 86 miles done and just about 40 for tomorrow. On the Interstate back to Providence traffic almost came to a standstill with the lack of visibility. In Providence itself near Ted’s house there was plenty of debris (including heavy branches) along the roads and streets. At 8 pm tonight there was another vicious thunderstorm with the heavens bucketing down. Hope the skies are fully drained now.
Breakfast was a little subdued as each tried to deal with his own thoughts. For the final parade we were asked to wear the ABB shirts. To the beach it was just over 50 miles with no climbs as serious as yesterday.
Leaving the motel, most rode off in groups. Cameras were there to catch small clusters of cyclists. This was the last loading of the van and signing off of the list. In San Francisco this day seemed so very far away. Now it was real. I cycled with John, Amy, Rick and Jay to the SAG stop. A nice morning but no sunshine. It was hazy and we really wished that the rain would stay away.
Everything today was unique in that it would be the last one for the full group. This was a group of 40 individuals with nothing in common except the desire to ride across the USA. It was that common desire that bonded the group and made it so positive.
There was only one SAG today but all assembled at Rye High School at 11.30 for the final approach to the Atlantic. We all tried to sum up the experience and felt fortunate that no serious incidents had occurred. We had finally done it although even the strongest riders had doubts about their ability to carry it off at the start. Another group photo was arranged and will be treasured. 
Two police cars arrived and took us on the 3 mile trip to Wallis Beach at a handy pace. After the rains of the last few days, it pleased that the sun shone for the ceremony. Friends of cyclists had assembled down there earlier on and the usual bathers were there. All heads strained to catch the first glimpse of the Atlantic but it was the ocean and seaweed smell that hit first.
Ted from Rhode Island was there as I knew he would from our conversations over the last few days. This was the first time we met. All contact before was through technology. We carried the bikes over the soft sand and then dipped the front wheel in the Atlantic brine. Mission accomplished for almost everybody.
Ted told me he had a friend come along. I turned and there was Michael Ryan. I almost dropped. It was so good to share that moment with him. These final moments of the adventure were emotionally charged and seeing Michael just added to it all. Between the jigs and the reels I got no photo on my own camera of my dipping in the ocean. I know Ted has some.
Officially the ABB trip finished here and especially those with family there began to scatter. I wanted to stay around for a while. It had taken so long to get here. Finally after I’d arranged to meet up with Michael and Ted later on, I headed off into Portsmouth and the motel. I took a detour out around Route 1B along the shore. No need to rush now.
At the motel some cyclists were already busy boxing their machines for flying home in the morning
