Greetings one last time this year,

Hi everyone!
Another year has come and gone- A year of planning, organizing, recruiting, training fundraising, packing, anticipation; Completion, satisfaction, accomplishment, pride, courage, confidence, effort…
And it always ends us up back here, always back home with the ones we love- the ones who covered for us while we were gone, in some cases with the kids, in others with work, still others with care of a loved one- Maybe even a loved one with diabetes. And we went out there, nervous, wondrous,  maybe even a little frightened… And took those people with us in our hearts, for support. For those long climbs, those rough days,  the exhausting heat, the times where maybe, just for a second, quitting seemed like a good idea, they were there with us. We can’t quit, because they can’t either.
We had an absolutely wonderful year, and I can’t believe it’s already over… These fly by faster as the years add up. Our last day was an absolutely beautiful route from Keene over into Jaffrey, down into Townsend, through the State Park, Littleton, Over 495, and back to Woburn and our gracious Start and Finish line hosts, Parker Chomerics.
This years finish line had the usual cheering supporters of other riders, nice enough to extend applause and congratulations to an unknown rider on their accomplishment, and the cheering masses of volunteers who either cycle through and out at the end of their seven day stint, or rotate in, to relieve the weary workers of their posts as things are broken down, secured, stashed and stored for another year. I can honestly tell you that Jeff and the crew who showed up to help empty out and return the Gear Truck had their work CUT OUT for them after the “Truck Detour” I got lost- Erm, I mean “Sent down”. The back of the truck looked like a tossed salad afterwards, and I don’t think I ever got it back to anywhere close to right before the end of the week.
The finish line is always bitter-sweet, which is why we do our Final Ceremonies on Thursday night- So many people travel to this event and want to get back to their families, so they might not get to see a new friend or riding partner at the finish before they head on their way home. It’s a sense of accomplishment coupled with a sense of loss- knowing it’s over, and that you’ll have to wait another 51 weeks to start it again. It’s about knowing that it will be there again, next year. It’s about knowing that your new found family members will be there too- And about the realization that you’re one of the family now. Two or seven day rider, local or from abroad, weekend warrior or wannabe crit racer, you’re one of us now… A member of the Caravan… Bring friends, tell them we have cookies… But don’t mention the lemon-lime Gatorade.

Keep the wind at your back and the downhills in front of you
GearMan