Northern Transcon Day 32 - Gardner to Boston MA

Our final day arrived - sunny and breezy.  An early breakfast (6 - 6:30) followed by a group photo, and then we were off through the streets of Gardner.  There was no real break in the traffic all the way to Peabody (a little north of Boston city center), and most of the roads were narrow and rough.  Consequently, there was little opportunity to look around and take pictures - I was too busy concentrating on avoiding potholes and dealing with the heavy traffic.

We had two quick rest stops before arriving at the final lunch stop in Winter Island Park, where a great meal had been prepared by the PAC Tour crew.  After a leisurely lunch (no pressure to get back on the road), we had a 6 mile ride back to the motel, where riders were engaged in disassembling bikes and packing them for the trip home.

Lon and Susan arranged a great catered buffet dinner, followed by a 50 minute video presentation of the last 32 days.  Each rider and new crew member then received a personal plaque to commemorate the journey, along with some comments from Susan.  It was a wonderful way to end the trip of a lifetime.

The trip went exceedingly well for me, with minimal physical issues.  Before the tour I was thinking I would need ice packs on my knees every afternoon, and taping of my ankles.  However, I held up with none of that.  I did not have a single flat tire for the entire distance, and no mechanical problems.

The time passed very quickly and it is hard to believe the tour is now over.  I am thankful for the safe journey and great experience.

Leaving Gardner early in the morning

One of the more pleasant streets - good pavement and little traffic

Retta at the beach in Peabody

Sridhar, Jack and I celebrating at the end

Progress map is now complete

Riders packing up bikes at the motel

Start of buffet line