Day 49 (Sunday, Aug 7th) - Brattleboro VT to Manchester, NH

Today is the 49th day of cycling.   We have seen some beautiful sites in the last 49 days.  The consensus after today's ride is that New Hampshire is one of the very prettiest states and belongs right up there with other favorites Oregon, Idaho, Wisconsin, Wyoming.

Today we got our first glimpse of New Hampshire.  We departed Brattleboro early and within a mile crossed the state line into New Hampshire.   It was a beautiful day of riding (with big hills and some great New England scenery) followed by our final banquet celebration at dinner.   Judi and Sister Chris (along with other guests) arrived in Manchester in time for the banquet.   Here are a few pictures of the day and the celebration in the evening:


Welcome to New Hampshire!   We crossed the NH state line in the first mile today.
(from left Barry, Connie, Terry, Matt, ME, Russell, Blythe, Mary Andries, Jan)
We have now been in 11 states and Ontario, Canada.

At the 15 mile point, we enter the town of Keene, New Hampshire

Barry and Connie (from Holland) check out the Keene "green" 

or common (town center)

On the Keene Common is a beautiful white presbyterian church (with steeple),

the first of many we would see in New Hampshire

Here is route 9E, one of the long roads (and hills) we would encounter in the "Granite State" (note the granite on the right) and pending strorm in the background

Another steepled church in the town of Antrim.  Each New Hampshire town seems to have such churches.  

In the town of Bennington is the Historic Monadanock Paper Mill

Here is a dam used by the paper mill

An an old bridge downstream providing access to the mills

Here is the Bennington Historical Museum (every NH town seems to have such a museum)

And one of several Bennington Churches....

Here is the last SAG stop of the day on the "common" in scenic Francetown, NH

At one end of the SAG stop is an old school (with steeple) and Karen Bauer (one of our trip leaders)

At the other end of the common is a the Presbyterian Church (with

Dan, Lucy, and Connie) 

Five miles down the road in New Boston is another set of churches

and Civic buildings that look like Churches....I think you get my drift here, New Hampshire is proud of her landmarks.

We couldn't resist this rock wall, also a common feature in the Granite State (Barry in background)

So we make a beeline to our lodging in Manchester, NH as tonight is the banquet celebration that precedes our final ride tomorrow.   Here is Barry and Damien Demster getting ready to celebrate.

Here is the cake decorated in honor of our cyclists!

Judi and my sister Chris have come to celebrate with us.  Also pictured are Sharon Griff (Most Improved Cyclist) and Lucy Biddlestone (Miss Personality).

Barry Lucas, ME and Russell Goins (do these guys look like they could bike across the country??)

Mike Munk (our trip leader) presents the cross country map to Lucy Biddlestone (our youngest rider) who most exemplifies the enthusiasm and spirit of the journey

So the banquet celebration lasted until 10:00 pm.   It was great fun and each cyclist had an opportunity to speak about their experience in crossing the United States.    This is a very interesting group.   Nearly half of the group are cancer survivors, there are 4-5 with knee or hip implants, some with MS or diabetes, and a few with other physical afflictions.    Three of the riders are over 70 years old, twelve are over 60 years.  At first blush, one would not think of this as a cross-country cycling group.   Yet the group has cycled over 3,700 miles, climbed over 100,000 feet of mountain terrain, traversed 11 states (and portions of Canada), ridden in rain or shine, wind or calm, stayed in 45 hotels - all in 50 days.   While each has their own life story,  several themes are common to all - persistence, determination, love of cycling, and a desire to celebrate life.    As I heard many stories at the banquet, I  found myself proud to be included in this group.

After the banquet speeches, we all retired for the evening.   We still have our final day of cycling beginning tomorrow morning at 6:00 am.   So it was time for all to hit the rack and get some rest before our final day.
More tomorrow and our final ride.
Love to All, ME