The Home Stretch

June 24.


The last day of the ride had arrived.


On one hand, I could hardly believe I was almost at the end of my epic trip.  On the other hand, I had seen so much over the last twenty three days and it seemed ages ago that I was riding in places like Banff, Washington and Oregon.


I packed up the bike one last time, and we set off for a days ride on the back roads of Pennsylvania and New York.

Packing up one last time, in Wellsboro PA.

More scenic PA backroads.

Who knew there was a Lumber Museum??
(or a need for one?)

We had set off this morning on empty stomachs, as we knew a stop was in order in Coudersport, PA.  We stopped for breakfast last summer here, and we definitely wanted to stop again at this great diner.

The Maple Tree restaurant in Coudersport is worth a stop.

I had no idea we were so close to Snookie,
Pauly D and Mike "the Situation"...

 Perhaps an hour after breakfast we crossed into NY State.

The roads passed through many small towns.

Some places were lovely...

... and some were not.

 It's actually quite alarming the number of homes you see in rural NY and PA that are in a serious state of disrepair.  You can imagine what these small towns would have looked like in the 1950's (think Marty McFly's home town in Back to the Future) but today seem to struggle to make ends meet.

Some nice recreational areas

Just before entering Buffalo NY, we pulled over for one last fill-up of American gas.  In Buffalo it works out to about 98¢/L.  (In Oklahoma is was as cheap as 80.2¢/L when you do the math.)

You know you're almost home when you see the Timmy's

Peace Bridge Border Crossing

After crossing the border it was all I could do to keep the speed down to a level that the cops wouldn't impound my bike if I was pulled over.  The trip was fantastic, but so happy to be getting home.


Pulled into the driveway at 2:30, greeted by a smiling wife and children.  Heaven!


Tomorrow: nothing!