Day 73. Sunday, September 1 – Center Conway, New Hampshire to Bath, Maine
Monday 2 September 2013
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 Maine
and more beautiful New England homes
and 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 eat
and seconds.
Tired and stuffed, we will attempt a conclusion post in the next day or two.
Bobby Says:
I was looking at the map and times and it seemed like you had to be at 80 plus. Good way to finish. Congratulations . What are those fully things you are eating I though they were lobster till I saw the claws..
Ken Says:
A LOBSTA dinner. A great way to finish your cross-country trek! A big thanks to Dave and Lynn for the finish line feast! Have a safe trip home!
Pam Says:
Congratulations! I’m going to miss my nightly read. You guys rock!
Bob Noe Says:
Kim and I spent a couple of days in Bath last fall and loved it. What a great town to end your beautiful voyage. It has been wonderful from this vantage point in my chair and I appreciate your photography and creative story telling along the way. America is so beautiful, albeit a little hilly for the cyclists. In two weeks Kim and I will be offering rest stations in a two day MS Bike to the Beach ride for our NC and SC bikers. We are expecting nearly 1500 bikers from the two states in their 150 mile ride. I will enjoy telling them about the Bocrie s and their 2013 major trek!
Bob
Jim Corzatt Says:
WAY TO GO TEAM BOCRIE! JOB WELL DONE!
Are you going to be here for Pat’s retirement this Friday?
M.E Says:
OMG, you’ve made it~! Dave-a-Lynn are some of the best hosts ever. We really miss them and wish they would be able to come to Pat’s retirement. Pat said he would pee his pants if Dave showed up so I’m bringing extra undies just in case. Anyway – congrats you two – thank you for a wonderful journal of the United States we live in. I loved reading it. Big hugs for the Koenig’s from us. See ya’ll soon.
Kurt Says:
Whoo Hoo! Way to go intrepid cyclists! Looks like Bro’ Dave & Lynne provided the perfect finish line meal for you guys (didn’t see the beer, but sure it was there!) Congrat’s you guys!
David Says:
Congratulations!!!! You kids are something else!!
Little Joe Says:
Nice work my friends, I’ll get on Syncardia for Jerseys for next year!????
Doug Carter Says:
Awesome.
Apryll and Joost Says:
Never too tired for Champagne, right? Thanks for letting us vicariously and virtually come along on your great trip. Had no idea the North East would be that pretty. We’re hoping to do our yearly bicycle climb up to Logan Pass next week (with cigars at the pass of course). All the best!