Day 47: Brattleboro VT to Burlington MA

We had thunderstorms and lightning for hours last night, and the sky was still overcast when we started our final full day's ride.  The temperature was in the high 60Fs once again, and it was still very humid.   Most of us were feeling worn out from the latest series of rides, but especially after the climbing from yesterday.  I know I was.  Still, it was our last real ride (90 miles) before the ceremonial 17 miles to Revere Beach on Friday, so that thought and the resultant resolve to experience this day fully provided the extra spark we all needed.

Our 13th state line

The dam in Hinsdale NH (around Mile 7) was overflowing with

all the rain pouring down on the mountain last night.

Hinsdale was a player in the early days of the automobile.

Site of the Holman and Merriman Machine Shop cited on the historical plaque above.

Ashuelot Covered Bridge (1864) at Mile 15
Note evidence of flooding last night that has been cleared for travel by this time..

After passing through Ashuelot, the terrain becomes more difficult for tired legs -- steep hills that were long enough to have you winded or to make you wince when you could see the next one ahead.  
I occasionally suffer from Cyclist Tourette Syndrome and I had several attacks on these hills today.

Chuck and I were riding at the same overall speed today
and pretty  much kept each other in site after Hinsdale.

14th (and final) state line.
Bringing  Bell's Oberon to the MASSes at Lite Speed.

Another beautiful roadside lake -- this time in Massachusetts.

Church and monument in Ashby, MA
We met Doug - an Ashby resident - who told us this is the most beautiful
town in Massachusetts. 

Another reason to like Ashby!

Quiet tree-lined rolling descent on the way to the second SAG stop at Mile 60.

CrossRoads staff member Robin and  me at the Mile 60 SAG stop,
Robin runs a great SAG stop, but she's always a welcome sight wherever she is!
(Thanks Chuck!)

It was fairly easy terrain for the final 30 miles to Burlington MA.  Oh, there might have been a few small hills, but no one really cares at this point.  I was having a little trouble determining distance between successive turns since my Garmin was dead in the water and the traffic increased as we entered Concord around 3pm, but our pace was slow and we generally wanted to savor this final day of real riding. 

Our ceremonial ride to Revere Beach tomorrow only 17 miles.  The final sprinkling of Pacific Ocean beach sand and the dipping of the front wheel in the Atlantic Ocean will take place.