For days we have talked about making a hotel reservation for Sunday night, but never actually got around to doing so.  We knew, that when the time came, we would want to ride the 90 miles to the finish.  Wanting to and doing so are two entirely different things.

We started off in a foggy, thick humidity morning, quickly crossing the border to Maineand more beautiful New England homesand scenery;everyone decorated for the Labor Day holiday.The fog obscured the mountains, but that did not erase the hills in front of us. We pumped hard up and down the continuous hills singing and laughing along the way, thoroughly enjoying the ride,small towns and scenery. It was a great morning with lots to see along the way.

At mile 30 our enthusiasm was replaced with survival.  The sun had burned off the fog and had really heated the morning, plus the hills had gotten a bit taller, a few with some 14%+ grades.  Our legs were screaming, we were out of liquid, energy and a lot of our spirit.  Our course director had found a shortcut, but off the course, we didn’t know where we could stop for replenishments, thankfully a little deli appeared at the crossroads.  Food and drink are just what we needed.  But the day was hot and our legs tired, we began to doubt our end game…..that was until we got back on our bikes and started pedaling again. The hills continued,road conditions going from perfect to abhor-able and back again;enjoying shade when it offered itself,then clouds offered shade.  Thirty miles left to go and enthusiasm started to creep back in; we figured if it took all day, so be it…….we rode on enjoying our last miles.Our pace quickened when we say this sign then some crazy long haired man stopped us to make sure we were still alive.  Dave grabbed our heavy bags, defined our directions for the last 10 miles and off we went.

It was a great finish, an incredible Champagne welcome and a wonderful, albeit exhausting 81 mile ride.  Topped off by a wonderful bite to eatand seconds.Tired and stuffed, we will attempt a conclusion post in the next day or two.