To say the least I was a little apprehensive about flying back to Boston to ride in the Multiple Sclerosis sponsored two day one hundred fifty mile ride from Boston to Cape Cod. This was my first trip to the Boston area and I felt way out of my element with respect to conditions, people, distance and equipment. As it turned out I was pretty well prepared physically and had no trouble with ride. I actually enjoyed the high-end road bike I rented from Boston Adventours.

We arrived two days ahead of the event to check out the Boston and get a little acclimated to the area and conditions. I rode both days, first Boston to Quincy after picking up my rental bike downtown and then the second day, a long loop around Quincy taking in the shoreline. Lots of traffic, a little rain and I got lost a couple of times but made it back to the Adams Inn in Quincy without too much trouble. There was plenty of sightseeing to do downtown and lots of history in the surprisingly clean city of Boston. Of course we had to visit Harpoon Brewery one evening and then do a carb loading pasta experience at Alfredo’s in Quincy the night before the ride.

Over two thousand cyclists left the University of Massachusetts on Saturday morning headed for the Cape. The event was very well organized with traffic control at intersections and plenty of rest stops along the route. I was very excited about the New England scenery we rode through, especially the architecture and coastal vistas. I arrived at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy where I met Sue four hours and forty-nine minutes after leaving UMASS and received my dorm assignment and the opportunity for a very welcome and needed shower. Although the rooms were pretty Spartan we had a wonderful view of the bay from our second floor accommodation. After cleaning up we headed for the party and festivities.

Many of the teams, including mine, had tents set up with snacks, cold drinks and massage therapists. What a way to complete a seventy-five mile ride with a fantastic massage followed by a couple of very cold beers and a huge feast. The MS Society had entertainment, food, beverages and plenty of seating in the shade for all of the participants. After the festivities we headed to bed to rest up for the early start for Sunday ride.

After an ample breakfast I was on the road again by 5:58 am crossing over the Sagamore Bridge and cycling towards the finish line in Provincetown and the tip of the Cape. Scenery again was gorgeous as we traveled down wooded highways, on bike paths along the canals, through parks and then along the coast to the finish line. Prior to the finish we stopped at the home of one of our team mates for some barbecue and beers and then it was an eight mile sprint to the finish line in Provincetown. (My time today was four hours forty-one minutes for the seventy-seven mile trek) Here we said our goodbyes, turned in our equipment and headed to our various destinations, ours being the Surfside Hotel just a few blocks away.

Sue and I decided to stay an extra day in Provincetown to relax and enjoy some excellent seafood before taking the ferry back to Boston and our flight home to Las Vegas on Tuesday. Of course we had to do a few touristy things like visiting the Highland Lighthouse and the Province Lands Visitor Center. On our way out to the visitor center we spotted a couple of wild turkeys crossing the road and a little later a fox, probably looking for the turkeys. So here we are back at home in Laughlin’s heat and already thinking about doing the ride again next year. Who wants to go? Contact me at Chris@VivereTravel.com or visit us at http://www.VivereTravel.com.