Crew’s Log…
Cycling Date: 26-July-11
Mileage: 62 miles
Climbing: 2500’
Weather: Cloudy and cool. Highs up into the low 70s.
Highlights of the day:
It’s definitely a day of mixed emotions. Part of me is truly excited to see this ride to completion and celebrate the accomplishment with the riders. The other part of me wants to keep going! I really love this little summer family of ours and, if it’s not obvious already, I love the cycling. Everything about it. Whether I’m on the bike or supporting the riders. Learning, growing, and doing. I think I’m really hooked.
It was a nice day for the last leg of the tour. A bit cloudy but nice and cool. Sun poked out for a bit once we reached the beach. Along the way we had few more New Hampshire style hills. They were short but with enough of a grade to challenge the riders one more day.
We all gathered at the Rye Junior High at mile 50 for one last group photograph and opportunities to say goodbye. All riders, including the staff, were then escorted to Wallis Sands Beach by a police cruiser. We owned the road and heard lots of cheers from passers-by, friends, and family.
At Wallis Beach, we performed the necessary ceremonies. Front wheel dipping. Emptying the official water bottle containing seawater from the Pacific. Lots & lots of pictures. More hugs. More tears. And grins from ear to ear.
The last day comes to an end. One more motel for the final luggage drop. Bikes prepped for shipping. Last dinner shared with new friends. Vehicles return to the ABB office. It’s time to go our separate ways but with a wealth of new experiences and friendships that will last a lifetime. This ends the Cross Country Challenge blog for this year. I know the ABB Challenge staff leaves for home each of us planning his or her next ride for this summer & looking forward to doing this again next year. I hope we’re not the only ones!
Be safe! Have fun! 
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