Saturday, March 19
Kovalem to Kanyakumari – 90 K
Today was our last day of riding and we were all excited to reach the finish line and SAFELY enjoy the day! Here’s an odd looking construction site – see if you can find the man working on this project but don’t expect him to have a hard hat… just sayin! J The scaffolding is made from bamboo poles lashed together with rope… not OSHA approved I can guarantee ya!
Today’s plan was to ride approximately 85 kilometers where the lunch truck would have lunch waiting for us. From there we were to ALL ride the final few kilometers together, finishing at the same time…. which we did!!! I took a picture while riding to the finish (most everyone was behind me though):
Here’s Jan and I at the most southern tip of India where the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal meet. In the background offshore is the 130 foot statue of the famous 1st century Indian poet Tiruvalluvar.
After a nice celebration we gathered for group photos. We set our cameras down and waited through 40+ different photos on each of our cameras. Here’s the group photo they took with my camera. I’m in the front row. J
Here’s one last picture with my traveling companion AKA my root beer ride. She took great care of me and deserves some TLC when we get home. I didn’t have a flat tire or any major breakdowns the entire trip. My front wheel has been out of true since the boat ride a few days ago and there’s a little shifting glitch beginning to surface… oh, and my chain is thirsty for oil, but that’s all! Not bad for 2 months on the road!
Our hotel is only a few blocks from the finish line and once I arrived, I sifted through what was left of the stack of bike boxes and started in at packing up my bike for the trip home. Unfortunately my bike box was really small but I was able to get the important parts in the box and the rest have now found a place in my luggage. Jan and I have a taxi picking us up in the morning to get us to the hotel by the airport in Trivendrum for a flight out in the middle of the night tomorrow.
We said our farewells at dinner tonight – it’s been a privilege to ride with such a great group!
I just have to say it one last time, “I FINISHED”!!! WHAT AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE!!!! I’m excited to get home and catch up with my family and friends!!! I’ll be home Monday night!!!! Woohoo!!!
