Done

A quick note to recognize that the Manahttan ticker-tape reception down 7th Avenue should be proceeding as planned as they emerge from the rainy late afternoon dusk. Thanks to Kingy for his local knowledge of Jersey City & environs, the boys should be arriving at the end of their epic adventure.

Here's some messages to relay from the P Evans/Bear fan club in Swansea;

" Laura: Congratulations Bear, very proud of you, looking forward to catching up for that celebratory drink or 10. xx

Lucy: Looking forward to seeing you with all the lovely pressies you've got me. x

Lindsay: Hey Bear, you've surprised us all by still being alive. Well done and congratulations. xx

Tom: having a few pints for you, well done! (ya c*&t!)"

Despite your use of erm, snooker hall language on a family site Tom, think I'll join you. Tune in over the next day or so for a report on how they chose to celebrate their achievement, the final puncture count and hopefully a few words of summary from CT & Bear.

Chow.

Mission Accomplished?

Philadelphia, PA; Spoke to the boys tonight from Philly...they're so close that you can almost smell them...

For all of you (us?) who said that it can't be done...I leave it to the most powerful and f-witted man in the world to spell it out...Lets hope that this post is more prophetic than that which the image below foreshadowed*...






For all you naysayers out there...


Let it go Frank..


or put another way, as Frank would like to have sung it...


or possibly Kanye West..


one for Bugs


or Sumo


For those of you who can be there, get yourselves to the Triple Crown on Saturday from 5pm, if not feel free to show your admiration with a message or a charity donation... You know what to do & how to do it.


Cheers.


* This comment was brought to you by Jameson's Irish Whiskey and approved by the Obama '08 campaign

Ocean to Ocean!

QUICK UPDATE - Thursday eve EAST COAST TIME!!

Just spoke to a jubilant CT who was at the Days Inn in Downtown Baltimore*, having made it to the East coast of the USA ... Sounded like a tough day on the Navigational front, but they plan to celebrate with a steak tonight & get cracking early doors up to Philly & then onto NYC  for a Sat pm arrival. 

NYCers, note that the tentative drinks time is now 6pm at the Triple Crown ... It would be great if the Lads could get a warm NYC reception...

* Special thanks to Gerald at Days Inn for his hospitality & interest in the Lads' efforts .. the latest member of the Random acts of kindness clique..

Readers Corner

A great entry here from the "K-town massive" Aka Peter, Tracey & George Wowk (& unnamed dog in surgical mask...?)

"Sumes & Bugs

Tremendously proud of both of you, an inspirational achievement. Devastated that we can't be with you for this weekends ticker-tape parade; instead we have sent a photographic tribute entitled 'Evolution of the Helmet'

Loads of love
the Wowkys"Blog Update - Due to travel, there may be limited entries in the next couple of days as the Lads showboat their way up the coast to New York. Rest assured that the key milestones will be noted ... & keep the Comments, best wishes & charity donations coming... Cheers!

Hancock, Md

Herbie & Tony

Per the STOP PRESS>>> announcement yesterday, the Final Countdown nears...

" Yo DC! You prob have most of the info from our phone chat but thought I'd do some more notes while I'm waiting for Bugola to get out of the shower...Tough going in those Appalachian mountains today. Had to settle with stopping in Hancock, Maryland although we'd hoped to get further.

Looks like we've 1 more significant climb tomorrow morning then we should be clear of the big hills!Good luck to Trumpton AFC tonight in the NY 'metrosoccer' league. I hear the results have been going well the last few weeks lads. Should I be worried about getting my place back? I'm available for selection next week...

Special mentions today:Mike at "Cycles and Things" bike shop in Cumberland who gave us a service, new tyres and sorted my back wheel - he almost keeled over when he saw the state of Buggy's back tyre (which resembled the top of Tobsy's 'seymour' head) and possibly explains the puncture count which now stands at Bugs 13 - 3 CT for the tour.

Had a nice breakfast stop with Cheryl and the team at the "Lil Corner Market" in Frostberg, who took a surprisingly high level of interest in our expedition. A big hello from me to the formidable, stylish and simply sensational IAC (International Admissions Center) and all at the Study Group USA corporate office. Thanks for your messages, in particular the inspirational and profoundly motivational 'cheer-a-mid'. I'll see you all soon guys - you rock"

Good news CT as the famous TAFC secured a memorable 5-2 win in your honor featuring a very unSpurs-like (in fact, quite unRudy-like) display of finishing from Rudy 'World' Ceres (BTW, I just noticed an uncanny resemblance between him & Herbie Hancock), a solid defensive performance and, at the 'core' of the team, keeper Steve Apple who made sure that we didn't 'crumble'...

Readers Corner - Special Edition

Due to an unprecedented volume of emails, I thought I'd put in a special post to recognize some of the tremendous support which is making its way across the ocean as the boys get ever closer. In true " Tony Hart/ Vision On" style, I don't have time to read out all your letters, but here is a representative sample, including a family appeal to FoBs* to cast a vote in our interactive poll (on the bar to the right... only 1 vote per computer & hanging chads are not counted).

* Friends of Bugs

" Hi DC,

Bugs's sister in law Lindsay here. Am sad to see poor Bear (as we know him) only has 2 votes. i have frantically been trying to vote for him over and over but alas my extra votes are not allowed it seems. So, I have rung round everyone to try and get them to vote for him as he can't come second to Sumo, it would cripple his ego.

Spoke to him last Saturday night and he said he was looking forward to the last couple of days but just wished above anything that the wind would turn round for them. Have been looking at the forecasts for the rest of their trip and they should be having nice sunny weather thursday and friday with much lighter winds (N/S) but if they don't get there before Friday night they will be getting seriously wet Saturday and Sunday, not nice to arrive in really.

Have attached some photos of Bear & Sumes for the site if you think they are appropriate that is! Have had a warning off Lucy that I am not to submit any photos of Bear looking like a tw*t! This has seriously narrowed down my choices.

Ciao for now - Lindsay x"

Thanks Lindsay - Your revealing of Paul's nickname explains why Paul had the ironic grin on his face for the Utah bear photo that was posted before (& here)... He's very subtle that way. I've added a couple of the photos here, including one with the aforementioned Phil "Valderama" Jenkins and his namesake, the irrepressable John Jenkins. Its a Jenkinsfest!

Also fromWales, Irene is back accompanied by the WAGs from Penllergaer with more wise words of motivation...

"Hi Guys

You are nearly at the end of your epic journey (with sore ass…’s I’m sure). But what a wonderful achievement, we would love to be there in New York to see you over the finishing line – but unfortunately the credit crunch has hit us hard – never mind, we will hopefully see you (Bugs) on Tuesday to a ‘Warm Welcome Back’

Your WAG colleagues at Penllergaer."

And long-time reader, 1st time caller John Dixon who is using this platform to promote a show on an inferior cable network than NBC...

" DC
As a massive fan of the "The Wire" (Greatest TV Show in the World Ever TM) I'm v excited about Baltimore. Dix"

And finally, after completing a full '180' in his level of cynicism for the trip, Gordy reveals that his scepticism is genetic...

" Having previously informed my parents of the TransUS cycling Tour, and the plan to cycle across in 30 days, which solicited a number of responses – mainly along the lines of “utter madness & its only a matter of time before one of you lot do yourself a serious injury” ; “nothing surprises me anymore” & “Such lovely lads, I do hope they look after themselves” variety. I then had a lovely conversation with my Mother last night. The upshot of which, on hearing they were bang on schedule and were in line to finish on Friday evening, was this.

(Fyi – bit of background, Bugs used to work with my Mother at Harrow Borough Council back when he was living in Ealing)

Mrs. McD ….“Unbelievable, I find it incredulous to believe that after 3,000+ miles of continual cycling across a continent, across 10+ states, with little discernable plan to speak of, they are on bang on schedule! Especially when you consider that in the year Paul worked at the council with me, he was never on time for work once when he only lived 3 miles down the road in Ealing”

"Late again Mr Evans..."

STOP PRESS>>> As I was blogging away, I got a call from CT & Bugs - live from the honeymoon suite at the Super 8 Motel, Hancock, Md. The conversation consisted mainly of more whining about the Appalachians " longer day than planned" "Killer Hills" " No switchbacks" "Really cold" "Appalachians blah blah blah" but I did manage to find out that they are one big hill away from a gentle descent to Dix's beloved Baltimore, from where its a two day trip to NYC ...

They are planning a minor champagne moment at Baltimore as that will represent the Ocean-to-Ocean achievement, ahead of a major champagne moment which is currently looking like Saturday in NYC, but stay tuned in case a gust of wind gets them moving for a Friday arrival....

Ohio-West Virginia-Pennsylvania-Maryland

The title of this post may sound like an excerpt from Howard Dean's famous election trail rant, but it is in fact an account of one day's riding ... Seems like the boys are beginning to believe their own hype & doing some showboating as they cruise towards the Triple Crown Alehouse (See use of word 'Monumental' in Chris' note today..).

CT's blackberry is back in action ... The first bit covers Monday & may be old ground for those of you who are regular visitors..

" Hi DC,

A mixed day for us yesterday. We got an early dawn start and it was bitterly cold for the first hour or so. After it warmed up the riding conditions couldn't have been better - sunny and clear blue skies with no wind. We had a route problem however in that our road (Route 40) literally disappeared and turned into an Interstate Freeway for about 10 miles that we can't go on.

So we had to find an alternative road which wasn't very direct and we had to ride up a dirt track for a few miles (this is rural Ohio). Awful for cycling and I picked up a puncture and a slight buckle to my back wheel, which is rideable for now. Nowhere near as serious as the buckle that put Bugsys bike out of action in Utah.

So anyway, all of that slowed our progress. We did 90 miles and stopped just east of Wheeling in West Virginia. Great to see some communication from Southport, Lancashire. Thanks to Derek Macklam for trying to introduce my parents, Jim & Alice, to the technological 21st century. They're not too familiar with t'internet (as one says int' north of England) or blogging, as borne out by Mum saying "why does your sister tell us to look in the bog?".

Special mention to all the other good folks in Churchtown Southport who may be reading, inc the St Cuthberts crew, the Hopwoods, the Kirks et al. Bugola's mum, Gaynor, and my mum Alice are both exceptional singers and special hello's go out to all in their respective choirs: the impressive Morriston Tabernacle Choir in Swansea and the sensational Southport Bach Choir http://www.southportbachchoir.org.uk/ in Southport.

(Surely a "Sing Off" can be arranged?- Ed)

Tuesday evening: Monumental day today. We've just checked in at the Casselman Inn in Grantsville, Maryland after a very hard, and cold, 105 miles in the Appalachian Mountains. Dave - did I mention before how tough the Appalachians are? (Answer; YES) There's a lot of talk about Halloween this week but if you want something really scary try riding some of these Appalachian hills (Per my previous comment, you've told us that already). Long, steep climbs, and harder than those we had in the Rockies (Hello? Are you listening?). We were going up Jimmy and down Jim all day (poor gag for UK readers). Possibly the hardest day's riding of the trip so far. Some beautiful scenery though and tremendous autumn colours.

Hoping to get close to Baltimore tomorrow. We started in West Virginia this morning, moved into Pennsylvania and then sneaked into Maryland this evening.

Lucy: Christmas gift ideas for Buggy, number 1: A map folding course."

It makes you wonder what all the fuss was with Edmund Hilary/Chris Bonnington/Into Thin Air etc. when we have the Appalachians so close. I'm looking forward to the movie version of this trip as Chris & Paul (played by Eddie Large & Max Boyce) ascend the monumental Appalachians in biting cold with only a thin layer of spandex between themselves & an almost certain hypothermic demise brought on by sheer exhaustion & altitude sickness.

Thanks to Jurg & Adele (See earlier post from Nevada) who supplied some new photos, including this action shot to the left and the one which has replaced the long time blog header at the top of this page and ... A controversial change of branding which I hope does not drive traffic away from the site. Jurg & Adele are now back to their Safe European Home - it just shows you that doing this on a Harley is the easier (& arguably smarter) play. They didn't send a photo of themselves, but this is how I imagine them to look;

Country Roads, Take me home...

Tuesday Oct 21st. Thanks to John Denver for today's post title and the following chorus of encouragement

Country roads, take me home

To the place I belong

West Virginia, mountain momma

Take me home, country roads

Got a call last night from Wheeler, West Virginia (apparently they have phones there now...), a rather tired CT was tucked up in bed after a bracing day through Ohio where they encountered a few navigational issues but managed to make good headway & got to WVa (I think its the 10th state so far...) for an overnight stop.

The last time they were both on a West Virginian adventure was on the legendary Gauley River Winnebago Whitewater Tour of 2000 ... Thankfully, as Gordy, Jonny Cook & myself can testify, it seems like Chris' pedaling skills appear to be superior to his paddling skills which can at best be described as 'Deacon-esque'.

A timely note of encouragement was conveyed this morning to Chris & Paul from Jim & Alice Taylor (Chris' folks - who apparently don't call him Sumo, who knew?). This was courtesy of Derek & Marlene Macklam - Southport's very own internet-connected webmasters - thanks v much. Keep the messages coming, as any Met fan will tell you, the last 10% of the season is the hardest (although Spurs seem to be making hard work of the first 10%... sorry Rudy/Bonner).

The countdown is unofficially ON with only Pennsylvania, Maryland (possibly) , New Jersey & New York to go. There is some debate about the best route home from where they currently are to avoid the treacherous Appalachians (Yeah, yeah, heard it all before...). Joe Corrals is now offering 5-2 on a Friday afternoon arrival in NYC with Betfair favoring a Saturday lunchtime return at 6-4. Either way, all NEW YORK AREA residents are hereby encouraged to join the Lads for their final isotonic celebration which will be at the Triple Crown Bar on 7th Ave & 29th Street - right in the heart of NYC's trendy fashion district where spandex pants & shiny helmets are all the rage... Stay tuned for date & time for this event...

STOP PRESS - Check out the mascots at tonights Champion League game ManU vs Celtic. Former blog birthday boy Rory Crossen will be featured, hopefully slide tackling Rooney in the warm-up!

3000 Miles - Show me the money

Now safely into Ohio and through that renowned psychological barrier of 3000 ( see Pete Rose # of hits, Oil changes etc.) the Lads are daring to think about the finish line. Here's Chris' report from Zanesville;

" Evening DC! We're spending the night in Zanesville Ohio. Did 104 miles today. Nice ride - it was cold but sunny and totally clear blue skies. A very light headwind but calm most of the day which was ok. Forecast tomorrow looks good - sunny blue skies, cold and we may actually have some wind behind us!

We're hoping to get to the Pittsburgh area tomorrow. We go through a small slither of West Virginia before we cross into Pennsylvannia which will put another state in the collection.

Cheers,CT and Bugola"

By my calculations, they have about 500 Miles to go. Finally we get the chance to reminisce about one of the finest Scottish Ballads ever sung by a pair of dorks with tight jeans and jam jar glasses. In honor of The Proclaimers and their close friends Tom Cruise & Cuba Gooding, let me remind you that this is the last week that you can participate in this event through the power of the mighty greenback (or brownback in the case of those quaint British notes). On behalf of CT & Bugs ... One final time, if you have not already done so - Show them the Money!

(links to the charity sites are posted to the right of this panel).