The ride was 77 miles long and had about 4500 feet of climbing. Right after this sign we started climbing - did not even get to warm up my legs - at 6:30 am. But we prevailed.
The weather was great and there was no wind. It was fun being back in NH having lived in Hollis and having worked in Nashua. We were heading to Manchester - home of Loon Ale.
For those of you that do not know I invested in one of NH first microbreweries - Loon Ale. Unfortunately we were ahead of our time and the brewery did not succeed. But we had fun trying.
When we started the brewery you had to buy your equipment and all your ingredients from Germany. Big equipment that brewed a lot of beer and imported ingredients - so we could not get our fixed costs down given our volume. For example, our bottling line could have handled 20 times the number of bottles that we needed to cap after we finished a brew batch.
Today you can buy small brewer systems built in the USA. And you can get great hops (et al) grown right in America. Perfectly sized systems to start off with. Far cheaper than what we had to work with.
When we arrived at the hotel several of the riders (Steve and Bill) had some beer waiting for us - all of which was brewed in NH (loved the Tuckerman's Ale brewed in North Conway). Oh well - it's fun saying you owned a brewery. Even if we did choke. They say you can "tell the pioneers from the settlers - by the arrows in their back".
The ride went quick - it was 77 miles long. Riders were having fun on the last real day or riding. Don pulled out the greatest bike shirt I have ever seen.
This was a real bike shirt. Pockets in the back and all! Don was the rider that had to go to the hospital the other night - so he is wearing the white compression socks to help resolve some leg swelling. But they made a perfect compliment to his "tux" riding shirt. Got to get one of these for Alison's wedding!!
We have one last riding day left. It is a 50 mile ride from Manchester to Rye NH. We get escorted to the beach by a police cruiser. So it is going to be a fun day. Plus get to see Cathryn for the first time in 50 days (if you get my drift)!!!!
Once I get home on Tuesday and get to reflect on the experience I will blog one more time. With final ride statistics and some thoughts about the ride.
On to the Atlantic Ocean!!!!
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