**MARCH 22** CHRIS' JOURNEY RIDE / CELEBRATION

[dtower]

Steve is Amazing !

[PJ McQuade]

I'd like to ride the last leg too. Where does it start? I might be able to do the party, have to check though.

[PJ McQuade]

Duh. Windsor Locks, CT. In the very least, I could hop on in Oxford, but I am interested in getting dropped off.

[irusk]

Short of getting a drop off in Windsor Locks, maybe we could organize another group to ride the route backwards, meet up half way and ride back.

[cookm]

Anyone have details of the route? I like the idea of riding out 1/2 way and then back, anyone plan on doing this?
Mike

[PJ McQuade]

Anyone have details of the route? I like the idea of riding out 1/2 way and then back, anyone plan on doing this?
Mike

I don't know his exact route, other than the start/end points. I'm pretty sure he's going through Sturbridge (around the halfway mark) and I know he's going through Oxford. I'm thinking of heading out toward the Oxford/Sturbridge area and hitching on there. I don't know though, there's some uncertainty with this plan too, such as timing it right and such. Anyway, I was thinking more the 1/2 way thing myself, but I have to work out the details.

[irusk]

Anyone have an ETA for the half way point. I guess we don't really need to know the route he's taking, just where the 1/2 way point will be and about when he'd reach it.

[RPerson]

I really like the idea of riding backwards on the route until we find him... saves logistics of getting to CT. Unfortunately I'm about 70/30 on being able to make this. I have to see how the stars align with school work etc before I can commit. If anyone (Brad?) thinks they can reach Steve to find out the exact route or at least a place/time to meet him that would be great. I might just try putting a message up on his route blog for him to call one of us.

[Steve Wright]

I'll get details together for you all tonight. Thanks for coming out to ride with me. It's gonna be awesome.

[Steve Wright]

Ride north on Ella Grasso Tnpk. *5(8) Turn left on Tromley Rd. *6.5(10) Cross SR 191 onto Cemetery Rd. *7(11) At “T”, turn left, cross bridge and bear left onto Omelia Rd. *7.5(12) Continue straight onto Apothecaries Hall Rd. *8(13) After RR, turn left on Chamberlain Rd. 8.5(14)

Map 14
Continue on Chamberlain Rd. *1.5(2) Ride straight onto unsigned Frog Hollow Rd. *3.5(5) Ride straight onto SR 286. *4(6) Ellington. Turn left, then turn right on Maple St./SR 140 E. 5(8) Turn left, then turn right across SR 83. 10(16) Crystal Lake. 14(23) Bear right on SR 190. 14.5(24) SR 19. 20(32) SR 89. 21(34) Ride over I-84. 23(37) Union. *24(39) Turn right on SR 171. 26(42)

Map 13
Ride straight onto SR 197. 2(3) Cross SR 198. 7.5(12) North Woodstock. 11(18) Quinebaug. In 0.2 mi., enter Massachusetts. *11.5(19) Turn left onto Center Rd. towards Nichols College. *14.5(23) At “Y”, bear right on Dudley-Oxford Rd. *18.5(30) Bear right on unsigned Charlton St. *19.5(31) Oxford. Ride across Main St. onto Sutton Ave., then cross over I-395. 23(37) West Sutton. Route becomes Central Turnpike. 28(45) SR 146.

Map 12
Route becomes Sutton St. *3.5(6) Northbridge. Cross RR and river. Turn right, then immediately left on School St. *5(8) Turn acute left on Quaker St. which becomes Pleasant St. 7.5(12) Upton. Cross SR 140 onto School St.

Then I make them up from there. I will probably bear right onto Hopkinton Rd. toward Hopkinton. Then bear right onto Ash St. Turn right then Left to stay on Ash st towards Pinecrest Golf Course in Holliston. Turn left at T then right after High School onto Holliston st. Then ride to the finish at the church.

That is the route I will be taking from CT. It's a little confusing. The numbers not in parenthesis are the number of miles between each turn. The ones in parenthesis are kilometers. I know it's confusing, let me know if you have any questions on the directions or when I will be are certain places. If anyone wants to ride down to CT still then shoot me a PM on this board. My sister and her friend are driving some people down from my house. I can give you details on that.

Thanks!
Steve

[RPerson]

So what do we think kids... what would be a good time to meet up at Steve's house? Anyone have the address? We should be able to work it out so we don't miss him. I'm still not 100% definite, but as long as today goes ok I should be able to make it.

[Steve Wright]

20 Rolling Meadow Dr., Holliston,

[Steve Wright]

For anyone who wants to ride the whole thing my sister is leaving from my house at 7:00 AM. Let me know if you're planning on doing that.

[RPerson]

Will decide late if I'm going. Please check back late or early tomorrow.

[cookm]

I'm thinking about leaving from the church in Holliston at 9:00. Anyone else want to join? really need some company.
Mike

[RPerson]

I'm going to have to miss the ride and I'm really really disappointed about it. I am however going to make the party. I hear a superhero will be there and I need to shake his hand

[cookm]

See you at the party Rich!

PJ/Ian are you guys still riding out?

[tsavage]

I had dad duty this morning and couldn't make to the ride.

I'm planning to riding over to the church for the party.

I will leave Wboro around 1-130pm. I can go through Ashland or Hopkinton depending on whether anyone else wants to ride over too.

I will check back around noon.

[irusk]

Steve,
Nicely done! Not many guys your age could or would conceive of an effort like this, have the initiative to get started, and the endurance to see it through to the end. I was totally impressed by how strong you were over those last few hills. You didn't look like someone that'd logged over 1,000 miles in a matter of weeks. Again, congrats on an amazing accomplishment.
Ian

[michaelcole]

Congrats Steve,

I wish I could have made it out to see you you today. It wasn't possible.
I tried to see you go by my house because it looked like your route plan sent you that way but I missed you.
I continue to be impressed by the big things being done by so many of our club members but this effort of yours was truly amazing. Let me know when you have recovered enough to want to ride with an old, slow guy.
Congrats again and best wishes to your mom.

[JoeH]

Congrats Steve, enjoy a great night's sleep in your own bed. Well done! Joe

[pwess]

Truly amazing Steve - congratulations. Was following your trip via the blog - Mother Nature sure didn't make it easy on you... you certainly battled with the strength and will your mom has shown. Congratulations to you both and best wishes and prayers for your mom's recovery. I look forward to saying hello on the tri circut this year.

- paul

[Steve Wright]

Thank you all so much for all the support you have given me over the past few months. It has been awesome. I am so lucky to be part of such an amazing cycling and triathlon team, I am certainly glad MRC is the one that I found first. I owe so much thanks to everyone who has supported me, donated to the foundation, or helped me in anyway in my efforts. All the kind words mean so much to me.

And thank you to Brad, Ian, Cookie, Steve Tirpak and Todd S for riding into the finish with me, it was so great to have some MRCers there. And Rich was was the first person I got to see after my mom. Awesome. Especially to Brad who made me the kickass website and pulled me all day yesterday. He's the man.

You guys truly are one of the most amazing groups of people I have ever had the pleasure to hang around. I could not be more proud to be part of such a wonderful group of people. You're all awesome. Thank you so much for everything.

See you on the road soon.
Steve