Well a lot has happened since the last time I made a post. I pulled into Buffalo, NY as it was hailing on me. I guess it had to happen since we began the trip in Washington getting hailed on. I've actually been rained on 7 of the final 10 days...weather just wouldn't give me a break. In Buffalo I ate at a restaurant called Anchor Bar and they claimed to have created the Buffalo wing. Now I don't know if it was because I had biked 120 miles that day, or if it was because they really were the inventor...but I do know those were the best wings Ive EVER had! The next day I biked into Canada and saw Niagara Falls. It was pretty crazy to be standing in the exact spot where Superman saved that kid from falling into the falls.
The Adirondacks came and went...before I knew it the same day I was through them. I wish I would've spent some more time there. I also met some interesting men up there that ran their entire house off propane and car batteries. They make enough money off their recycled beer cans to buy the batteries and propane and still have $60 left over at the end of the year. Hmm...good for the environment or just alcoholics?
Probably one of the most exciting parts of the trip was cresting that final mountain of the Appalachians. I was yelling "No More Mountains!" the entire ride down with people just staring at the bearded man on the bike like he was a crazy lunatic.
The final days were a blur, I was trying hard to imagine what it would be like not to have to get up every morning and ride for 8+ hours a day and sleep in a tent that made me want to plug my nose every time I got in. The last day was Sunday the 17th and I had 130 miles to go to Bar Harbor. I knew I could do it if I got an early start. Well of course I couldn't coast in to the finish without a major problem with the bike. After all, it had held up great for a month and a half with nothing more than a few flat tires. Well luckily I found a bike store and showed them my rear wheel (see pic below). All of the spokes decided to start to explode out of the rim and I had dime size holes all throughout the rim. Well I replaced it and was on my way. My family made it into town 4 miles before I finished. It was a great feeling to see familiar faces. That evening I had a huge feast, lobster of course, before I crashed out in a real bed. Oh yeah and wearing clean clothes that I hadn't been wearing every day.
Overall it was an awesome experience. I met some very nice interesting people, saw some incredible sights, and definitely will want to go back to a few of the areas to revisit. Even now that its all over I'm reliving many of the moments and I catch myself daydreaming. I cant wait to start planning the next big trip whatever that may be....any suggestions?
I especially want to thank everyone who helped me reach my goal of raising money for the National Brain Tumor Society. Also those who contributed to Matt's fundraiser for Leukemia and Lymphoma. It made this trip all the more worthwhile. Please consider raising money for a worthy cause if your ever competing in a race or participating in an event. Its easy to do, and makes the event much more meaningful....and be sure to send me your donation page!
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Hooray for you, Jeff!! "That was quite an accomplishment", as Our Padraig wrote of someone else who reached their goal. Must've been the finest lobstah you ever ate, ever imagined eating, and together with the smiling faces and sea air made even the recent challenges something of a distant memory. There are folks who pay a lot of money to obtain the tan you picked up for just sweat equity yet never leave their own neighborhoods, never challenge themselves, never see how other people live or just get by, never answer to a higher calling as you and Matt have done. We understand the AT is especially nice at this time of year, if you've a comfortable pair of shoes... and you can cycle almost straight thru from Pittsburgh to the improved Mt. Vernon and scarcely touch pavement. Of course you could always lead novices on tours of Ireland or France, or you could pedal the length of Africa if you carry enuff watches; not much you can't do now that you have "the itch". Thank you for inspiring this Family to do better, and we raise a pint to you both. Wipe your feet.
~ TeamRothar
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