Day 48: DONE – 4,012.85 Miles

Cambridge, Massachusetts to Provincetown, Massachusetts – HOME

I woke up at 4:00 a.m. and tried not to wake up Miguel as I ate some bagels with cream cheese (thanks Ryan). After breakfast, I packed up my biking gear for one final time. I left Kelly’s place by 4:30 (thanks again to Kelly for a great place to stay right in Lowell House), and spent another 15 minutes lugging my bike and bags down the narrow staircase from the 4th floor. I probably should have just taken the elevator. It was a warmer morning, and the gigantic full moon was so cool to see as I biked along the Charles and into the city. I was glad I left early, while there weren’t many cars yet, there were so many stop signs, traffic lights and small towns. It made for very slow riding at the beginning.

Steve and Doris (my great uncle and aunt) surprised me at around mile 40 of my ride with an egg sandwich and a Gatorade. Perfect timing for my second breakfast, and so fun and unexpected to see them. Soon I got to the Claire Saltonstall Bikeway to Cape Cod. Just before mile 60, I took the Sagamore Bridge over the Cape Cod Canal. After that, I got on the Canalway Bike Path. It was a beautiful, sunny day, and I had great views along the canal. Soon my maps took me to Route 6A, which was one of the worst roads for biking of the entire trip. The road is narrow, with no shoulder, and busy with lots of summer traffic.

Finally, I turned off 6A and saw another familiar face. Heather cheered and greeted me with a banana and some cold water. I kept going a little further, and hooked up to the Cape Cod Rail Trail. The Rail Trail was a welcome change after all the cars and traffic. It was also nice to ride on a path I’m very familiar with. At the Station Avenue trailhead of the Cape Cod Rail Trail, in Yarmouth, Mom and Tim were waiting to ride some miles with me. We rode about 30 feet before Sophie, and her friend Gabby, jumped out of the woods to surprise me. They both took time off work in Vermont to be around for my big finish and to ride with me to Brewster! Less than a 1/2 mile later, my friend Ryan whipped by on his bike (the other way), turned around, and joined our entourage. Ryan did a great job of powering ahead to stop traffic at the crosswalks so the rest of us could cruise through. I’m so glad he came down from Boston to ride with me.

I had a crew waiting and cheering for me at the Brewster bike path stop. The Beers were there, plus Dad, my Uncle Pete and cousin Lily. We chatted a bit, I ate another PB & J, and we took a group picture. Then I was off again, now joined by Dad, Pete and Ryan, who would ride with me to the end in P-Town. Along the route we met the Fischer’s near the Chocolate Sparrow. They had a sign and some Gatorade too! Thanks so much to Becky and Craig for all their support!

At the end of the CCRT it turned into a dirt/sandy trail. We had to duck under a no trespassing sign, and head into an abandoned campground to navigate around the dirt and back onto the route. Back on track, we traveled along route 6A, and started to fight the rolling hills in Truro. It wasn’t too bad, but after 100 miles on the day already, it was tiring. Pete, on his mountain bike and tiny gear ratio, was doing an incredible job, but working extra hard to keep up with our 3 road bikes. Going a little slower was fine with me!

Finally, we entered P-Town. The final stretch of my journey. We turned the corner and rode into Pilgrim’s First Landing to see everyone waiting and cheering me on to the finish. I can’t begin to explain the whirlwind of emotions and thoughts racing through my head as I rode up to the crowd. I’m sure it will take me some time to process all the challenges and memories from the trip. We took a big group photo, and I recreated the picture from day-one of my journey, only this time I hoisted my bike overhead standing in the Atlantic Ocean not the Pacific! My coast to coast ride was complete! I left the bike with my crew, and jumped into the sea. I put my bike on the back of the car, and headed home. We had a big celebration at home with family, friends and neighbors. There was a ton of food, ice cold drinks, and plenty of laughs. One last late night, before plenty of rest!

Thank you so much to everyone who helped me along the way. To all my hosts, chefs, and the many strangers who offered support and aid throughout my travels, I couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you! This trip was about so much more than a bike.

I’m posting the last day’s pics now. Some are up there, but there are coming. Keep checking back!
VIEW PHOTOS

Distance: 122.97(4012.85 total miles)
Time:9:38:18
Ascent: 4534
Descent: 4498

Scroll Down to leave a comment…