We woke up and set off around 8.15 from Yogi Bear’s campsite in Haggers something along highway 40. It was a great campsite with loads of things to do for children including the American obsession for mini golf. Americans seem to take their mini golf seriously with amazing configurations of waterfalls, tunnels, monsters’ mouths opening and closing, all on the finest green astroturf engulfed by an obligatory grey concrete surround. They even have a leaning post after each hole to scribble your score down on your card. Adults and children politely queue at the 1st hole to take their turn, for most of them it would seem that this forms the core to their weekly training and weight loss regime, although the hot dog halfway house probably nullifies any calorie deficit actually taking place…..

We encountered rolling hills for the first 50miles which really scrambles any rhythm.. The temperature was consistently high but we are acclimitised to this now so not a major problem anymore. The scenery was beautiful as we followed highway 40 heading east. We passed a few other cyclists going the other way, some waved/nodded, others just stared straight; that’s the east side for you… We went through Baltimore and met with picked up some random cowgirl Amy who has joined us for the last few days in the US (whose speciality is motivational talks and ham and egg omlettes) and then I subsequently got a puncture in quite a dodgey part of the city.. It was a rapid change about 6 mins in total and arguably the fastest since we have started.

We were up to 100 for the day with the penultimate 50 mile leg of the journey taking us to Wilmington, a 6 lane highway and toll bridge with no bikes allowed. Thankfully the RV had sussed this and were waiting to take us over. We got dropped on the other side, it was about 7pm and we anticipated another 50 to Atlantic City. Almost immediately we passed a sign for ACity 58 miles…. ETA was therefore 10pm. The traffic was almost bumper to bumper coming towards us and away from the coast. As it got darker this proved to be a real help as the car headlights lit up the road in front of us. We really started to pick up the pace with a perfect prevailing wind, smooth roads and great drafting. We had 2 further water stops which took us within 20 of our final destination. As we rode close to ACity and the suburbs I started to think about the significance of this trip for me and what I have learnt about myself.. The loneliness of the long distance cyclist will be on the shelves in time for Christmas so all will be revealed then… I thought quite a lot about my mum and what she would have thought about this crazy adventure… She would have been worried like any mum but would have been driving me on through all of it, ticking me off for my cheeky end of day’s budweisers, but inwardly chuckling to herself about my individuality and aversion to comply with the norms…..

We got down to the last 10 miles and gently throttled back as Matt and I started to take on the enormity of what we had achieved: the stunning scenery, long straight roads, heat, winds, punctures, deserts, mountains, animals, pee tests, campsites and of course the people that have supported us over the course of this adventure. Just as we were beginning to smell the sea air, at around 3.5 miles out I got a puncture. I changed the inner and got 1m further and it exploded again… So, another change and a final stroll to the Atlantic Ocean. The last few miles were filled with neon lights, casinos and plenty of life.. ACity is the East Coast’s Las Vegas… Kind of.. We rolled up to the waiting RV by the pier and crowds flying the Union Jack and waving cans of budweiser… Heaven at last…. We had done it! We dipped our front wheels in the Atlantic, had some pics taken, watched Matthew fall off his bike (again), had lots of group hugs, regrouped and went to the RV site for a small scale celebration. Days mileage had been 210 so as you can imagine my bed was calling to me…

There are so many thank yous to say and we will do this in person back in the UK. Obviously we are indebted to our principle sponsors Wiggle for the kit and bikes [Focus Cayo Expert] which have been amazingly fantastic.. I have of course bonded with my machine and will now ask if I can mount it over my fireplace for posterity, it will be too sad to say goodbye, too many memories.. Other than punctures, there has been nothing.. Even the chains survived 3000 miles.. The wheels were incredible (Fulcrum Racing 5 Evolution). Not one kink despite all the potholes… Amazing and perfect for this trip..

Massive thanks to Dr De and Pip… They formed such an integral part of this team effort and we would not have able to do this without them.

Thanks to all the other sponsors: Tri247 and Rich Downey, Garmin, Eyelines, Perfect Day, Ray Lewis, Rosslyn Park Football Club, Owayo, Richmond Physio and the help and support from Henry at Leukaemia Research.

And thank you to all of those who have sponsored us and donated so kindly to The Royal Marsden and Leukaemia Research charities.

Andy Wyeth.
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

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