July 9, 2005

Successful Completion.

We rise at around 8:00 although I suspect that Nick got up real early and went back to sleep as he went to bed last night around 9:00 (late for him). He confirms this later. Jason treats us to some blueberry pancakes and bacon. As usual we are all hungry and consume quite a few. There is no hurry to hit the road. There is only twenty-five to thirty miles to go based on the destination and route that my son Jason suggested and Nick approved.

The weather is partly cloudy and cool. We have winds coming out of the northwest. We use the GPS to navigate a kind of straight line using the local streets of Salem to get to the main road we take to the coast. The local roads are good and not too well traveled. For me it’s like riding the roads I usually cycle on around Southington. It’s good to be riding in New England. It just feels right.

Ready to leave for the Atlantic

Getting under way

We are in no hurry. With the winds and clear weather we could easily pick up the pace. No one says anything about our speed as I feel we are all content to savor the day. As we are riding we don’t talk much, just a few comments here and there. I am doing a lot of thinking about the adventure we are completing and I’m sure Nick and Tim are as well.

There is nothing unusual about the ride to the coast. It’s just like a thirty mile jaunt like I would take at home except that my bike is still loaded with about forty pounds of extra stuff. We only stop once for a nature break. There is no need for second breakfast or to stop for snacks.

In Route to the Coast

As we arrive at Salisbury Beach State Reservation our timing is perfect. Nick’s family and girlfriend (I guess you still call them that?) arrive in a car just behind us. As we ride in the park we all ride side by side completing the trip together as it is a ride not a race. We do this out of respect for each other. We are a team that has worked extremely well together, sharing the burden, the decisions, the fun, the discomfort, and the accomplishment.

We have spent a lot of time together, Nick and I six weeks, and with Tim two. When you think about it we rarely were more that thirty yards apart for the whole period. There was nary an argument in the whole time. I got hot once when I thought we could have stopped for the night about ten miles earlier but I rode it off. There was never a heated word.

The plan was to complete the ride in six weeks and one day. We completed the trip in six weeks and one day, right on schedule.

We ride to the far end of the park and wait for my wife Joan and Jason to arrive with my granddaughter Corrie. Corrie was napping so they had to wait for her to get up before leaving to pick Tim and I up. We use the time to chat with Nick’s family. Tim and I meet his mom, his sister, his grandfather and grandmother, and his girlfriend. I have seen Nick’s six year old sister’s picture on the wallpaper of his cell phone. I could overhear her talking with him on the phone from time to time. They have a great relationship. It brings a smile to see it in person.

Jason, Joan & Corrie arrive and we walk our bikes on the sand to the water to dip our front wheels in the Atlantic to complete the trip. The waves flowing up to the shore are of the three to five foot variety. We are going to get wet but no one cares. I glance at Nick and Tim as the waves overtake our wheels. I see the gratification that I feel in their faces. I also see the sadness that I feel from knowing that the trip is complete. It was a great adventure that we experienced together, one that I am sure we will all cherish in our memories.

The Atlantic Wheel Dip

Celebrations are in order

Nick with Loved Ones

Jim with Granddaughter Corrie

Jim

Cycledog (Ride the extra mile!!)

Epilogue >>

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