Pac tour day 30 - Metter, GA to Tybee Island, GA

While riding a 20 mile stretch alone this morning, I noted feelings of anticipation (of the arrival at the Atlantic Ocean), giddiness (of achieving a goal of a difficult physical challenge), sadness (for the end of a strenuous, yet enriching journey), and affection (for the beautiful and drastically different parts of our country I just experienced firsthand...all within 30 days). I also noticed that I felt really strong on the bike, ignoring the fact that we had a tailwind and essentially no climbing at all (save the two bridges over waterways).

In fine form, the last 30 miles were shared with Greg "the finisher" Lester - a common companion of mine for the final 20-30 miles of rides with harsh conditions like headwinds. We worked our way through the streets of Savannah, often with streets lined with overhanging trees adorned with Spanish Moss. Finally, we came to a bridge over the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. Atop the bridge we were rewarded with views over the wetlands. The miles quickly ticked off as we pushed up the pace to 25 mph for a fun finish at the Welcome to Tybee Island sign, where the entire group reconvened and then rode in the final few miles together in a double paceline with our PAC Tour jerseys proudly displayed.

A mile away from the hotel, I heard "Reecker!" and looked to the left to see Doug Walker in a car a few feet away with a video camera pointed at me. He filmed the peloton, and reappeared as we all rode our bikes under the hotel to the screams of our adoring crew, and then rode right up the wooden walkway to the beach. We ditched our shoes and went straight for the water...dipping our wheels in the water, took a swim in the bathwater-warm ocean, then shot a few more pictures.

Soon enough we were all taking our bikes apart and stuffing them in boxes to take home. The weather was kind to us today, treating us to sunshine and a few puffy clouds here and there...until we finished packing up our bikes. The skies then darkened and the rain hasn't let up yet, coming down in sheets, punctuated by lightning and its accompanying thunder.

Our closing banquet is in a half our, where we'll all join together a final time before we all head off in different directions: North, South, East, West, the UK, Australia, Canada, and perhaps continuing on the Eastern Mountains PAC Tour, from Atlanta, Georgia to Portland, Maine.