Bridgton Maine to Portland Maine. 39 wonderful miles. 3696 miles from the Pacific ocean. I awoke from Camp happy just as dawn appears in the eastern sky. Some stars are still twinkling from above. I walk down to the lake and take a last look at the beautiful scenery. It is quiet and still. A Loon calls from across the lake and then flies overhead. The lakes steams in the cool morning air. It seems I have the world to myself. My heart pounds and my leg muscles twitch with anticipation of today’s ride. Paul and I pack up camp and head in to Naples for breakfast. He goes for a stack of blueberry pancakes and I decide on lobster Benedict. We are both in a celebratory mood. The ride to Portland goes well. we stop several times to rest and remind each other to dial it back – its not a race. We arrive at East Beach exactly at noon. Just sixty eight days and 3696 miles from where Willie and I started this adventure. We hoot and holler as we dip tires and the Atlantic Ocean. There are hugs, high fives, and even some tears. A couple sitting on the beach comes over and offers to take pictures. They hang around and want to hear about the adventure. They are locals and offer a phone number just in case we’ve have trouble finding a place to stay tonight. They also provide us with good directions to old Port Portland where we a have a lunch of lobster rolls. We find a hotel room and I immediately take a shower and nap. We have done it. And it is some what hard to believe. We received a text from Alex indicating that he will arrive tomorrow morning for a final breakfast with us.
The next few days will be spent packing up and shipping bicycles, eating more lobster, enjoying the hospitality of Maine, and then flying myself back to Wisconsin.
I have ridden 13 days with Paul, Alex, and Alfred, and about two weeks Frank and Trudy. These are new friendships that I’m certain will last a lifetime. The journey has renewed my faith in humankind. I found good people everywhere. When I was down they picked me up, when I was broken they sagged me to a bike shop, when I was thirsty they gave me a nice cold Gatorade. It certainly renewed my spirit not to have TV, radio, news or the talking heads a big multimedia. Just the sound of me and my pedals and the clicking of Willy changing gears.
Take care, Freebird. 🙂
The End
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Congrats!
Congrats, Mike! So glad you made it safe and sound. I got the chills reading your last post, what an accomplishment!
Well done young man.
CONGRATS FREEBIRD. YOU DID IT ! ! !
Would love to get together with you when you get back and settled in. I’ll call you in a few weeks.
So glad you were able to conquer one of your life’s biggest goals,
Ron Prochnow
Congratulations Mike! I am going to miss your daily blog. You have totally inspired me to want to do this someday. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. You are amazing!
Cheers! Mike
Mike Mike:
Congratulations, My Friend! What a feeling that has to be, remembering all the hours and all the thoughts you had as you pedaled one mile at a time without knowing what you were going to see when you turned the next corner. I’m going to miss reading your daily updates. Guess you decided you didn’t want my to fly out and ride Willie back to Oregon?
Talk with you in early September.
Tom Ries
An adventure well done Mike. Remember it well. Your blog will help you and others keep it in mind.
Keep in biking shape. Perhaps Beth and I can get out with you sometime soon.
Way to go freebird.
Marty
Congrats!!! I guess it is true that you can do anything if you put your mind to it! I am very happy for you!
Congratulations Mike. It has been enjoyable reading the blogs – something I looked forward to every day. the daily incidents are unbeliveable, wish I had followed more closely when you started because in MT you went right by my nieces ranch house between Denton (I remember that restuarant you mentioned) and Lewistown, You could have thrown a stone from the road and hit their house. Look forward to talking with you back home PS your boat hasn’t moved!
Way to go Shammoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Nicely done!
Mikey!! Oh boy, Oh boy! What a great feeling this must be for you. Congratulations. Now, get back to WI and cheer the rest of us on with your stories of encouragement. Jerry is planning a party…. Safe travels. -Connie
Your quitting just becase there is a little ocean in front of you? Where’s your sail boat? 🙂 🙂 Well done!
Jim
Congratulations Mikey! Welcome to the club. Enjoy your time Down East. See you soon back in Stoton.
Next Stop, Halifax? Just kidding. Great job. If you ever do a seminar I would love to hear your stories in more depth. Great work out there.
Great job! We are all very proud of you. Wonderful adventures, so glad we were able to join you. Now come back to Stoughton!
What can I say but Congrats!!!! I will buy breakfast at the KK when you return you can tell us all about the 2nd part of your adventure! Truth be told I’m going to miss not reading your post as I was living vicariously through them. Maybe you could ride north to south or south to north or both. 🙂
Captain Connor – I missed the finale by a few days. Congrats to you on your wonderous adventure. Rumor has it, sailing across the Atlantic is also a pretty exciting experience – just a thought.
Congrats Mike, your journey was truely inspirational!
Way to go Mike!!
Congratulations on successfully living your dream! We have so enjoyed following it, and are so grateful you made it without serious injuries or insurmountable roadblocks. Thanks to all the good people along the way who gave help when needed, including those with extra cool water or yummy food – I’m sure it all helped keep you going. Good luck to you and your family as you return to a less adventurous time (for at least long enough to recoup)! Take care, the Northwoods Hornecks.