Day 71 -, Sun, Aug 3, Nashua to Westborough, MA

Day 71 - Sun, Aug 3, Nashua to Westborough, MA

54.5 mi
4.21.0 st
12.5 avg
TTD-3600.07

My favorite names for today:
“Nissitissit Road”
“Umbagog Catacunemaug Building” (serious! it's not a typo)

We left at 8:35, riding back down Amherst Street toward downtown, then south on 111. It would’ve been a lot shorter if we could’ve just gone south out of the motel, but it was controlled access there. It was partly cloudy and the humidity was 93% with thunderstorms forecast for the afternoon.

We made our way down through Pepperell, Shirley, Ayer, Clinton, Berlin, Northborough and into Westborough. The roads were pleasant to ride with some small ups and downs, but nothing that really taxed us. The country side was pretty with lots of trees and the drivers were all courteous. We almost missed a turn once, but Gerry asked and we kept on track. When we got to Clinton, we were in need of something to eat and looked for a Subway, but there was none to be found. We had passed a pizza place a ways back, but you know our motto – “don’t go backwards”. The only thing available at this point was…..oh, no!....a Dunkin’ Donuts. Aaaaaarrrggghhh. I just can’t believe it that I made it to the very last day of riding and had to eat at an honest-to-goodness fast food place! I had vowed not to do that this whole trip and now here I was. And it had to be one that didn’t even have salads. Sigh.

We rode into Westborough about 1:00, then had to call Karen because we weren’t quite in agreement on which street to take to their house. (Gerry’s choice was right.)

It was quite fitting that in the last half mile of this entire trip we had to climb a fairly steep hill. After all, in the very first mile or so of the trip we had to climb a fairly steep hill. As we came to the drive way, we saw that we were .17 mile short of 3600 miles so we rode up the street about a block and came back to finish it evenly. (Add a 3 in front of that 600.07.) So at 1:10 today, we ended our riding portion of this trip. It's a good thing because Gerry's gloves have had it.
We chose this song below for our wedding 12 ½ years ago because we knew then that anything we would do for eternity would be done in the strength of Jesus. It has been true through these years and we have seen it to be true in every day and every mile of our Ride Across America. The accomplishment of this dream and goal has been attained only because of the grace and strength given by Christ through the prayer of so very many who have lifted us to Him. If you have praise and thanksgiving, direct it to our Master.

In Christ alone will I glory

Though I could pride myself in battles won

For I've been blessed beyond measure

And by His strength alone, I overcome

Oh, I could stop and count successes

Like diamonds in my hands

But these trophies could not equal

To the grace, by which I stand

In Christ alone

I place my trust

And find my glory

In the power of the cross

In every victory

Let it be said of me

My source of strength

My source of hope

Is Christ alone

In Christ alone will I glory

For only by His grace I am redeemed

And only His tender mercy

Could reach beyond my weakness to my need

Now I seek no greater honor

Than just to know Him more

And to count my gains but losses

And to the glory of my Lord

In Christ alone

I place my trust

And find my glory

In the power of the cross

In every victory

Let it be said of me

My source of strength

My source of hope

Is Christ alone
~Michael English

We will add an epilog at a later date giving some of the stats, factoids and highs and lows of the trip. For now, we need to rest.

In Christ alone,
Gerry and Pat