Day #46 Hampton, NH to Kennebunk, ME 46.4 miles

Kelle sent a large package of “Kind” energy bars for the tour in Hampton, NH.  They were much appreciated by all at the snack table this morning!
L to R:  Kathy “Canada,” Gail, Sue and Dolly

Best of Day: Spectacular day; Rode along the coast for most of day; SAG stop at the Nubble Lighthouse; Lobster rolls for lunch!
Worst of Day: Nothing!
Quote of Day:  “Today’s ride was the ride I signed up for!”(Katricia)

Day #44 Boxborough, MA to Hampton, NH 78.3 miles

“Arrived at the Ocean Again!”
L to R:  Kathy Q., Katie and Kirby 

Best of Day: Great weather (70’s again with no wind); Up or down with nothing in between with 3000 ft. of climbing (never took bike out of first gear in big chain ring); Chocolate Shop in Exeter; New State with one to go!; Finding the ocean again!
Worst of Day: Forgot to call Nancy B.(SAG driver) to let her know that we stopped at gas station and ate packed lunches while she sat 4 miles up the road and waited for us!
Quote(s) of Day:  “Tomorrow we’re only eating seafood.  I’m not going to pack a PB&J.  I will live dangerously!”  (Kirby)
“We will leave later in the morning and hopefully some of you will NOT arrive [at next destination] while the people in your rooms are still sleeping!”  (Michelle, Guide, at Map Meeting)

Day #43 Sturbridge, MA to Boxborough, MA 62.9 miles

P

“On the Road Again!”
L to R:  Katie, Patricia (aka Katricia) and Kirby
(Picture taken by Kathy Q)

"Dinner at Robyn's house!"

Best of Day: Great weather (high 60's with no wind); Hills were “doable” (3500 ft. of climbing); Beautiful country roads; Miles of stone fences and walls; Dinner in the back yard at Robyn's historic home (Woman Tours rider who lives nearby and fixed a wonderful dinner for us.) 
Worst of Day: Ice cream shop recommended on cue sheet did not exist!
Quote of Day:  When we stopped at Dunkin’ Donuts to get coffee (we were desperate) an “older” gentleman at the table next to ours, said“I can barely walk and you girls are riding bikes!”  I said, “Yes sort of crazy, don’t you think?”  He replied, “Maybe crazy but crazy healthy!”

Day #42 Sturbridge, MA 0 miles (Recovery day –70 degrees and sunny)

“Day off” Dinner!
L to R:  Kathy Q., Pam, Roberta, Mary D., Tom B., Tom K., Katie, Kirby, Katricia, (Vickie joined us later).

Best of Day: Bike odometer repaired at bike store; Hair color and cut; Reunion with Roberta and Tom Brown who took our laundry last night, returned it tonight AND treated us (2010 ST alum) to dinner; Tom Kirby (Kirby’s brother) with us for dinner.
2010 Southern Tier reunion included Mary D., Pam, Kirby and Roberta.
Worst of Day: Not long enough!
Quote of Day:  Dinner was full of quotes – probably most memorable was Q telling the story of her second flat tire and sharing the wisdom of “When someone asks if you need help, you always say YES!”  

Also, Tom Brown's idea of providing a laundry service on epic tours in addition to a "blog synthesis" service!

Day #41 East Windsor, CT to Sturbridge, MA 0 miles (SAG day – 50 degrees with hills and rain)

The “K” teamdivided!
Some dressed to bike in the cold and drizzle; others dressed to ride in the van!

Best of Day: Stayed warmand dry; Kirby’s brother came and took the “K” team van riders to lunch while we waited for Kirby to arrive; Crossed over to one more new state; Roberta, another of the ST 2010 alum met us for dinner and brought their beer for the tour group (Atlantic Coast 2015 label!)
Worst of Day:  Hills
Quote of Day:  Roberta coined this phrase on the Southern Tier and Mary D. used it today, “And we actually pay to do this??!!“

Day #40 Lakeville, CT to East Windsor, CT - 0 miles (SAG day – 50 degrees with wind chill and rain)

Icing my knees the night before the cold snap/rain day.

I rode in the van today (with strong knees) and ran crisis interference at the 20 mile SAG stop.  Subaru had a low tire and needed repair so the van took the first SAG stop.  Emily opened the kitchen to make popcorn and heat water for hot chocolate.  The 7 people in the van gathered all their extra clothing to contribute to the wet and cold cyclists as they came through.  We also improvised with plastic bags and non-latex gloves from kitchen.

Best of Day: Stayed warm and dry; Oysters and clams on the half shell for lunch in East Windsor; Brother (who lives here) of one cyclist on tour brought us wine and cheese before dinner tonight; Everyone who rode today arrived safely. 
Worst of Day: Rain and more rain expected.  Cold front moved in with temperatures in the 50’s (lowest today was 46 degrees); Watched and worried about hypothermia.
Quote of Day:  “Are we having fun yet?”  (Mary D. arriving at SAG stop.)

Day #40 Highland, NY to Lakeville, CT 45.5 miles

Picture: Southern Tier 2010 reunion with Karen Carlson
L to R:  Pam, Mary D., Karen, Katie and Kirby

Best of Day: Crossed into Connecticut (feels like we are making progress!); Lovely motel/inn that looks/feels like New England; Karen Carlson met us for a visit and dinner tonight (she is one of our 2010 Southern Tier alum who lives in Connecticut!)
Worst of Day: Rained off and on; My first flat of the trip! (thank you Cathy, Pam, and Mary for being my village); Temperatures dropped to the 50’s!
Quote of Day:  “Southern Tier was magical” (while I was icing my knees.)  For some reason everyone thought it was funny (and suggested it should be the quote today) – I was actually only responding to the “cross country” image/myth that seems to be so compelling!!??