It's official -- After 3,943 miles, I have successfully pedaled my bicycle from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean. With the tour officially coming to an end, I was surprised at how emotional I was -- happy to complete my goal, yet sad to say goodbye to the friends that I made during this unforgettable journey.
The first 60 miles were pretty typical except for the fact that most of the group stayed together as we rode. We usually ride at our respective paces, but today seemed as if we were collectively trying to hold on for as long as we could.Eventually, it was time to complete the tour and we did so in style. The Rye Police Department provided an escort for the last 3 miles to the final destination -- Wallis Sands State Beach. It was really exciting, and arriving at the beach with my family cheering me on was so special.
I set out with a goal to follow in my father's footsteps -- I wanted to pedal across America just as he did 20 years ago. Furthermore, I wanted to do it in honor of "The Farrell Sisters" -- four of my aunts, each of whom passed away far too soon. Lastly, I wanted to do it for a worthy cause. It is with great pride that I am able to say that I successfully accomplished all of these goals.
Although today marked the "official" end of my cross country challenge, I still have a bit of unfinished business. Tomorrow, I will pedal from Portsmouth to Southie.
For me, there is something special about being able to say that I pedaled from San Francisco to my front door. Furthermore, the ride will serve as an opportunity to surpass the 4,000 mile mark (which I am thrilled about), and, since I will be riding solo, to reflect on the past 2 months -- a truly amazing chapter in my life.
