The last word...

A few great weeks. Enjoyed every minute of it. Missing it already, but a bit of rest will do the body good. Thinking where i'll head for next, or even all the other states i did not visit...
Thanks to everyone along the way for your hospitality and kindness, it was much appreciated. Would not have finished it without all the help of many strangers along the way.
One mile at a time.
Sean.

The last few miles.

Westport, Ct - South Kingstown park, Rhode island = 189km
South Kingstown park, Rhode island - Fairhaven, Massachusetts = 124km
Fairhaven, Ma - Sandy pond park, Yarmouth, Cape Cod, Ma = 147km
Sandy pond park, Yarmouth, Cape Cod, Ma - Boston, Ma = 134km

Odometer Total: 8126.8km (5079miles)

Bike weight = 14.5kg (32lbs)
Bag weight = 23kg (50.5lbs)
Total bike weight = 37.5kg (82.5lbs)

Enough to be carrying. If i had checked this early on my ride i would probably have found a few other things to leave behind, but i was moving fine so i kept it all.

Finished, fini, termine, criochnaithe. That's it. Sin e.

I rolled into Boston on friday evening after my cycle in from Cape Cod. I enjoyed two days off in Connecticut, meeting people, eating well, and taking it easy before my last leg to Boston. It took three days to get out to the cape, staying the first night in south Kingstown, Fairhaven, Ct. The next day saw the first Nor'easter of the year come through. Unfortunately nothing to do with bunnies and chocolate eggs, these are a weather system that hits the east coast of the US. With it came a lot of wind and rain, and eventhough i made it through Providence, Rhode island and out to huttleston, Massachussetts, there was not a dry square inch of ground left in the north east by that evening i stayed in a motel. Headed out to cape cod on thursday all the way out to Orleans, and nauset beach, where i could almost see Slea head.
It was the Atlantic proper, with no more islands or peninsulas, and the furthest east i was travelling. The last 85 miles saw me riding back in from the cape, up through eastern Massachussetts with its many fine beaches, and into south Boston. It was tempting to head for one of the numerous irish pubs on my way into the city, but it was time to finish it off, get in, find my accomodation, and sit back and relax after one great cycle.

I'll put up the mileage and the last few photos shortly. Just going to enjoy a great weekend in Boston.

Highways and byways

Some of the cycling i had to do on the roads to cycle over the only bridge you are allowed cycle into New York on, was adventurous to say the least. I had been on a canal path that lead from parts of Pennsylvania up through New Jersey, taking in princeton and many other nice towns along the way. But this track like the rail trail has been badly affected by the copious amounts of rain they had on the east coast of the US in the last two months after hurricane irene.There were trees down, parts of the path washed away, so it made it tough going on the touring bike, and was a lot more suitable for mountain biking. But i eventually got off that, i won't even mention the part where i ended up going the wrong way, and eventually figured out my mistake. Thankfully it didn't set me back too far. But the roads coming into New York, no road is going to be quiet going into New York City, even on a saturday morning. And when you have to cross two lanes of traffic to get to your slip road you are certainly taking your life into your hands. So the high visability jacket was on, plenty hand signals, i'm sure a lot of cursing and swearing by drivers and i made it there. Then to avoid the real craziness on the cross bronx expressway i took a few back roads up through yonkers, spoke to a few locals who told me how to get across toward connecticut and the sea and tipped away along up by the long island sound. Two more days off here and i will be on my last leg toward boston which will take a few days as i will head out to Cape Cod on my way, just to finish it off before rolling into Boston next the weekend.

My first day off

I took a walk into Philadelphia after some house keeping duties in the morning. It's a great city, between the food, the history, the places to see and visit, just got to relax and enjoy the day and a half there. Of course i was suffering withdrawal symptoms from the bike. I'd sit looking out the window to keep an eye on it in restaurants and then realise i had left it at the hostel for the day, And my legs the morning after, eventhough i had spent a lot of the day walking around had already started to seize up on me. Of course i also enjoyed catching up with a few of my old college friends around before setting off for New Jersey.
Somehow i managed what seemed to be a very quick exit out of Philadelphia after giving a visit to Temple University, heading up toward Morrisville and crossing over into New Jersey. That may also be partly due to fact that i was heading out through some neighbourhoods that i would not go walking through, as they may not be the best. A lot of bridges from here on are car only and so unsuitable for bikes so i had to travel well up the Delaware river before crossing over. Spent an good night in the care of North Brunswick EMT. They allowed me sleep in their building and were very welcoming to some stranger that turned up at their door. Thankfully it was a quiet night on the job for them, and i got moving good and early to head up to where i used to work and coach and see many more friends in Westport, Connecticut.

A little flat

It was  a good cycle through Lancaster county where the Pennsylvania dutch, or Amish people have their farms. Everything is done the old fashioned way, including their cooking with natural ingredients that they grow themselves. Incredible food, i was a little slow to leave the place. But they make including furniture, they are almost as good at selling themselves to the rest of the country in tours, food, as the irish are to the rest of the world.
Unfortunately after leaving, i had more flats on my last 80 kilometers into Philadelphia than the rest of the trip combined. Three times the tire went flat. I'm not sure whether it is the bike does not like rain or it was the roads but i was looking forward to a quick half day into Philadelphia, but it turned out to be a seven hour trek. And i mean trek, well parts of it at least. I ended up walking for a few kilometers to find a bike shop to replace the last tube as i had thought two spares would be plenty.
I wouldn't mind for what people had been saying that it was going to be a deluge it only rained in the morning and then i had a clear run into Philadelphia. Eventually sorted, i finished the trip in Fairmount park, the largest city park in the US at the Chamounix hostel, just above the Schuylkill river where i spent so many freezing and fine mornings in college at 6am training.

Miles and miles

Cockeysville, MD - Parksburg, PA = 149km
Parksburg, PA - Philadelphia, PA = 90km
1st Day off
Philadelphia, PA - North Brunswick, NJ = 161km
North Brunswick, NJ - Westport, CT = 184km
2nd Day off

My travels north

It has been tough finding a few quieter roads travelling north. Too close to all the major hubs, plus wanted to see DC yesterday, and get my photo taken at all the touristy places. A great city to get around in. Bike paths all the way in from National Harbor, over to Alexandria, VA up along by the potomac river and back into the middle of Dc right by the Washington monument, and white house. Not so easy get out of the place though. Today is brilliant after a few hairy days of busy roads and almost going in the side window of cars as they cut you off, i am on a rail trail from cockeysville to york, PA. from theree i will head east into philadelphia, through amish country in lancaster county. No traffic just a tree lined pathway over the old north central railroad that originally ran from DC to Harrisburg, and became well known because Lincoln took it on his way to give the Gettysburg address.
Had an interesting chat with a cop after he pulling me over for crossing a bridge i should not have been on, travelling from virginia - maryland. He knew i wasn't the first few characters as there were no visible tattoos, and i was of the wrong race. Apparently as he was running my info through the system there is also a black Sean Casey, with the same birthdate, that there is a warrant out for. I was just wondering did he also have my credit card information.
Of course after telling me i should not have been on the bridge, he says i should take the main interstate highway, the I95, north from DC. These are 3-4 lane main arteries throughout the country. I said i'd find my own way.

Battlefields and Mansions

A lot of historical battlefields and homesteads as i travelled into western Virginia. Seems like something happened every few miles. But it was interesting. A lot about George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe, where Washington crossed the potomac and all about the french and american armies defeating the british. A lot of white picket fences and still plenty harvesting of fresh crispy apples, and corn along the route. As nice as the apples are, they don't do much to sustain a hundred miles a day on the bike.

Mind the copperheads

When i got into Christiansburg after my last update, i asked a couple where the local police station was and they offered me their lawn to camp on for the night. It is a university town of Virginia tech. So had a relaxing night there. For some strange reason every train and truck in the place all seem to start work around the 4 -4.30 mark as this is the time they start beeping  the horns going through towns and trucks get moving on the roads. But everything is up and going including myself by the 6ish mark, so there are plenty early mornings. Butit is still getting bright around 6.45am. Some busy roads now that i am in the east, a lot of travelling close to highways or through busy towns and cities, not the most comfortable cycling but it has to be done. Saw a nice copperhead snake in i travelling along a few days ago. I got a short warning from a walker (otherwise i wouyld have probably ran over it) but when i went back to take a look, it gave a fine pop or cracking sound when a UPS truck came around the corner and ran over it, yo be left squirming in different bits.

The kilometers

Damascus - christiansburg, VA - 178km
Christiansburg - Vesuvius, VA - 184km
Vesuvius - Mineral, VA - 183km
Mineral - Yorktown, VA - 223km
Yorktown - Tappahannock, VA - 112km
Tappahannock - fort washington, MD - 148km
Fort washington - Washington DC - cockeysville, MD - 146km

Yorktown, VA

Made it to Yorktown Virginia, and the mouth of the York river as it flows into the Chesapeake bay yesterday evening. Taking it easy today will just move across the bay and north a small bit to keep the legs from seizing up. Had a few enjoyable days cycling across Virginia, including a stay at the Mineral Fire Department, where some cyclists stay on their trip. The blue ridge parkway that traverses the top of the blue ridge mountains, after a steep climb up to it. Knocked out some decent mileage to get here in the last few days. Now the trick will be to avoid the busy roads heading north toward Boston, MA. The plan is to head up to Washington. I'll see if it is easy make my way in around there. Then onto Lancaster, PA to another Amish community, visit Philadelphia, continue to Connecticut, and up to Boston. Then i will be visiting Connecticut again for a few days before heading for home on the 27th.
Enjoy the few new photos more shortly, with details.

On the road to Damascus

No miracles or revelations, or nothing to do with the group in Buck Horn, just yesterday i was travelling on the road and ended up in Damascus. But before that i was deep in the Kentucky coal mining regions with towns named Hazard and Talcum. Very steep sided valleys with narrow roads going up through, that i was hanging on for dear life when some coal trucks would go thundering by. They'd bury people in your eye too, up in every little off shoot or spur on the hill there was a small graveyard. The valleys were only wide enough for the road and a house, as well as the small stream  that created it. Not exactly wealthy areas either with many living in trailers or mobiles, but then again, when the coal runs out it's up sticks and move onto the next place to follow it. Signs such as 'stop the war on coal' or 'if you don't like coal, don't use electricity' gives you an idea of the views of the locals, so i said advertising earth hour and getting them to switch off their lights was a no go. Some trains keep going all night up through the mountains, collecting coal and moving on. A few serious ascents and descents, with tight hairpins to keep me alert on the way down.
Really started to get a good view of the Blue ridge mountains of Virginia yesterday as the hills opened up a few times, especially around Hayters Gap. In Damascus there is 'The place' set up by one of the churches for Trans Am cyclists and hikers from the Appalachian trail, that runs right through the town. So after a tough day where the legs were not so inclined to move, i settled in there for the night. Got a few things washed and enjoyed a warm shower and a roof over my head for the night. A good day so far today with over 50 miles down and another to gpo if i am to get to Christiansburg, so i'm going to hit the road.

Are you a Christian

Ended up having a great night on saturday in Buck Horn way up in the Kentucky hills. Was going to head to the local diner for some bluegrass music and a bite, when i got an invite for dinner to a group that were staying on the campsite. They were just about to start a sing-song when i arrived and as i was tucking into all the nice food the details became clearer. It was the local community church's annual outing. Where they come down and stay in the park and have a cook out. Then the questions as to my relationship with God started to roll in. The singing varied from some bluegrass, to good old baptist songs. A very entertaining night though, and after an invite to church in the morning, i made my apologies and had to be gone early on the bike the next day. A great bunch of people, that were very welcoming to me into their group, and some meal.

Caught by a woman

To be fair she is using a camper van to sleep in at night and her friend is driving it around to each stop, so they have lunch and dinner and she just rides a racer with no luggage. Anway i had started after her and it was only that day she caught me on the uphill. Berea was a nice student town with the original college set up for local people only from the mountains around. Of course had to miss the Bar-b-que cook off in Springfield as it would have been two days waiting around. But i'm sure it would have been good, as a lot of towns were having Fall festivals last weekend.
Made a big mistake a few days ago. Got dressed in my shorts in the morning expecting it to warm up as it had been doing everyday before it, but nearly froze myself. Headed for the Amish place for breakfast in Berea before heading off, and they took pity on me in my shorts and made me some porridge just to warm up, even gave me some cake as i left to sustain me for a few hours.

Two things Kentucky is famous for

So there are many things they do in Kentucky, and going by the number of chicken farms i passed, they really like their fried chicken. A great circle, the farmer plants corn on farm to feed the chickens, so it is all very self sustaining. Alot of corn being harvested on my way through western Kentucky, a few coal mines in the distance, but mainly small quiet towns out there.
Met two old lads out on their bikes after doing the Trans Am on my way to Bardstown. They were just after having a night in Falls of Rough state park, and have been tipping away doing about 70miles a day or so. They were after a rough time of it by the sounds of it. Eventhough i was not far behind them coming across the country, they had very changeable weather since Wyoming, and head winds through Kansas. So with that sort of luck they were having, i said i'd keep moving on and started to make some distance after a few hills. Good to finally meet some people going East.
Started getting the fine smell of tobacco as it was being harvested in the fields passing by, but nothing beat the sweet aroma as i entered Bardstown. As i was slowly making my way up a hill, i saw what looked like an intern camp, or correctional facility, but then saw the sign for the distillery. Makers Mark bourbon distillery and the sweet smell around the area was a good lift on the way into town.

The Missippi and Illinois

A few nice rooling hills out of Farmington heading toward the mississippi. As well as these there was also a few 'Ole Glory' flags flying high. Then the hills opened to a large flood plain approaching the river. Would like to have gotten a photo on the bridge, but with a huge truck and trailer up my tail, i said i'd let it go. Some powerful looking river crossing over it though. Then it was into Chester, the home of popeye, or at least it's creator.
Never realised there were so many vineyards in Illinois. Looked like a nice place to relax and enjoy a few bottles overlooking the countryside, but it would not have suited the cycling too well, or carrying the bottles with me is also out with extra weight, so it'll have to wait. Of course the day was strarted with a good breakfast in Murphysboro, just for the name.
Enjoyed my short trip across the Ohio river on the ferry, as i left Illinois behind me at Cave in rock (you'll never guess what's there) and arrived into Kentucky.

The mileage

Farmington, Mo - Ava, Illinois: 125km
Ava, Il - Marion, Kentucky: 221km
Marion, Ky - Whitesville, Ky: 148km
Whitesville - Bardstown, Ky: 201km
Bardstown - Berea, Ky: 174km
Berea - Buck Horn, Ky: 148km
Buck Horn, Ky - the Breaks, VA: 184km
Breaks - Damascus, Va: 137km

At this moment

In the library in Whytesville, Virginia. I could almost get the smell of the sea this morning when i reached into the bag to pull out the last map of the Trans American route to get me from Christiansberg, where i plan to be by this evening, over the last 370miles heading east to Yorktown, Va, on the coast. Then i'll have to figure out how to get from there to Boston, Ma.
Will throw a few photos up again on a faster computer, when i get the chance.