Cycling across America

Arrival at the Atlantic (29 June) The arrival is momentous, and emotions are high - for both the riders and the anxiously awaiting families and friends. It's a beautiful day at Revere Beach and the excited group of wives, husbands, girl- and boyfriends, relatives and charity supporters are wandering up and down the endless promenade asking each other and phoning the staff: WHERE will the riders actually be appearing? And then we are all ready and here they come! Hugs and kisses, tears and indescribable joy...and endless thanks for the safe conclusion to each rider's journey. Emil carried his bottle containing Pacific Ocean water into the Atlantic and emptied it there. In spite of his belief that this would significantly and maybe even dangerously raise the level of the Atlantic, there was no noticeable difference. Just to be sure, he filled the bottle with Atlantic water and will empty it into the Pacific at Paula's Hidden Beach when we reach the west coast in about ...

In the MOOd Singing in the Rain (28 June) The last 90 miles, only 90 miles of 3,404 miles,  just the last little teeny bit and through lovely countryside and three states...and it is pouring rain, relentlessly! Adi and Roz are observing their partners with some worry as we follow them along the narrow, winding roads to the SAGs. How are Navi and Adam (and Emil!) dealing with the weather and the oblivious and even aggressive Massachusetts drivers? We were relieved to see our guys and gal spiting the elements and finally arriving safely at the last of 46 different hotels. Unfortunately, our wonderful Ichi, who had doggedly completed every mile to within the last 10 before Burlington, fell and damaged his knee so badly that he could not  complete the ride. Ichi has become the darling of the group with his infectious smile and his ability to get lost at some point nearly every day, thus actually completing many more than the prescribed miles! Today's route passed by...

Riding with Roz (26 and 27 June) During the past two days, while our husbands have been pedalling from Herkimer to Latham (NY) and on to Brattleboro (VT), Roz and I have been traversing the countryside, enjoying the views of farmlands and forests, strolling through charming little towns or hiking at Owen D. Young Education Center and Woodford State Park. Since the tours weren't all too long, 78 and 74 miles respectively, our guys were in at the hotels early afternoon and we had time to enjoy their company. Emil and I spent the time searching for David's Maine Beer. Both days we found taverns that were on the website list which should have been serving David's special brew, but unfortunately they were out. Still, we enjoyed excellent meals at the Tipsy Moose in Latham and the Whetstone Station Restaurant and Brewery in Brattleboro. We did actually find a few bottles in an amazing grocery store and shared them with the CrossRoads riders at dinner.       ...

Destiny America (25 June) As of today I have the great pleasure of a companion to travel with: Roz Abram. Her husband is one of our CrossRoads riders and she will be accompanying me on this last leg of the tour. This morning we went to the Destiny America Mall in Syracuse for a "walk". It seems a lot of people use these enormous malls as a venue for taking a morning walk. The Destiny America Mall is one of the very largest in the USA and aside from a beautiful carousel, myriad shops and food courts also boasts at least 20 movie theatres (where Emil and I saw "Jurassic Park - The Fallen Kingdom" at the IMAX yesterday). Roz and I walked through the labyrinth of hallways and stairways, chatting and gazing and even doing a little line dancing when the right music started playing. Especially interesting would have been this Wonder World Adventure section, where everything was topsy-turvy, or the Mirror Maze or the Canyon Rope Park ... but nothing was open yet. A...

Grau in Grau and Grausam (24 June) When asked to describe today's tour from Canandaigua to Syracuse, Emil said "grau in grau" (grey in grey), but beautiful countryside and charming little towns. The whole day was quite foggy, sometimes so thick it was almost like rain. The tour at "only" 69 miles was one of the shorter ones, but another flat tire added to the time on the road. In view of the weather, I had promised myself a special treat today and planned to see the new Jurassic World movie, the Fallen Kingdom, at the IMAX theatre in Syracuse. Emil was sweet enough to come with me, although it was certainly not the kind of entertainment he enjoyed and the sound system was quite overpowering. I must also admit that the first Jurassic World movie had more substance as far as plot and acting went. However, we both were impressed by the animation and the enormous shopping mall with its 20 theatres where the movie was playing was also something special. Oh, ...

With cheers and rain and flats again (23 June) The spirit and determination with which the CrossRoads riders cover mile after mile, spiting heat, rain, wind and those aggravating flat tires, is a continual source of amazement and admiration. Today they crossed the 3,000 mile mark, with "only" a little over 400 miles more to go. As I was waiting for the group to arrive at the second SAG in Avon, I met this distinguished group of riders (Delaney, Harrison, Charlotte and Reed) and their father. They were so excited about the idea of seeing our CrossRoads group that they stayed for the first arrivals, practising the Swiss chant used to fire on profi racers "hup, hup, hup". And then the big moment as Pete crested the hill and was enthusiastically supported by our cheerleading group. Unfortunately, Emil, who just an hour ago was right behind the first riders, had to endure 2 flat tires and missed the big reception! Avon is a lovley little town, quite representati...