RECAP:
- Total days of cycling: 36
- Total miles cycled: 2,170
- Accidents: Zero
- Most significant challenge: Biking against strong winds
- Scariest moment: Encountering that black bear in Connecticut
- Best moment: The finish line
THANKS TO:
- Herminia, the love of my life, and I will celebrate 45 years of marriage in September. I deeply appreciate her for supporting my cycling madness. I told her that she can relax since this was my last long ride.
- The Coast Guard Mutual Assistance Team forced me out of my comfort zone so that my journey could be widely shared as part of the fundraising effort. As a result, I reconnected with shipmates, some of whom I haven’t interacted with in 40 years. And we raised more than eight times my original fundraising goal. CGMA: you’re the best at Taking Care of Our Own!
- To our donors: Thanks for touching my heart with your generosity and uplifting comments! Some of you offered safety tips for your local area, your home for an overnight stay, or opportunities to fellowship during a rest stop. Know that you have made an amazing difference for Coast Guard members and families in need. I salute you all!
- Team Coast Guard–active duty, reserve, Auxiliary, civilian–Your presence at the finish line added a special touch. You and your families are what this effort is all about. Thanks for representing the Long Blue Line with great distinction.
- To the Bar Harbor ME community: Thank you for adding a local flair to the finish line. Bar Harbor PD provided a safe corridor for me to ride the final few miles. Community members posted comments of encouragement even before I arrived (Thanks, Juliet). And one individual kindly gifted me with a tee shirt from Geddy’s Restaurant (Thanks, Heather). Herminia and I look forward to a future visit. Your expressions of support are emblematic of the kindness I was shown in communities throughout the ride.
FINAL COMMENTS:
- I planned this ride in conjunction with my 70th birthday, which I celebrate next month. I established three goals: tune up my personal fitness, support Coast Guard Mutual Assistance, and engage in the Joy of Bicycle Touring one last time. I accomplished all three. Mission Complete!
- To those who say that you can’t do the ride that I just completed, my response is that you can if you set your mind to it. Contact me if you want more information.
- Thanks to everyone who shared in this journey with me. Here’s to life, here’s to love, here’s to you!
