Matt's Cross Country Cycling Trip 2015: Final Exam (Part 2), New Hampshire and Central Mass.

Thursday June 25, Brattleboro VT to Burlington, MA, 93 miles

This morning, the next to last day of our Tour, we left Brattleboro and quickly crossed the river and entered New Hampshire, our 14th state (the only state we will complete in a day without spending the night). Another big climbing day (about 5500 feet) with most of it front loaded in New Hampshire. Again some steep hills, with grades in some places of 12-13%, leading up to ski resorts. At about 40 miles we crossed the Massachusetts state line (near the town of Ashby) , our 15th and final state. The ride stayed rural and scenic for a few miles before reaching the outer Boston suburbs. We then rode thru quite a few nice neighborhoods as we somehow skirted the major highways into Burlington MA.

Late this afternoon I was met at the hotel by Kari, Ben and Drew, who flew into Manchester NH, rented a car, and drove down to Burlington to share in the grand finale tomorrow. I had not seen Ben and Drew in 50 days! What a treat!. My family joined me at the "Rider's Dinner, a buffet at the Hilton Garden Inn where we are staying. Every rider had the opportunity to speak to the group about what the cross country ride has meant to them. There were some very inspirational stories-just ask Kari! I'm very proud and appreciative of the group of fellow riders I was fortunate enough to shared this experience with.