Day 3 Ogunquit to Brunswick

Another 80 miles cycled today…….

Yesterday we passed through three states – Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine. Today we remained in Maine but with three different states – initial optimism, a period of happy delusion and by the end of the day, complete exhaustion!

The day started well with a good spirited, enthusiastic air of optimism. The weather was good, the route promised some great sights and we were all in great form. Having achieved our fastest ever group cycle this morning, enjoyed some beautiful sights and relaxed at a great coffee stop at 40 miles, all was good. A period of happy delusion passed over us as we expected the next 40 miles and the rest of the day to continue in such an easy, relaxed and enjoyable manner.

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Then reality then set in… after an 80 mile cycle yesterday, some of the group were noticeably tired by the afternoon. When we started to feel this way, there seemed to be an onslaught of things to challenge us – rush hour traffic, major road junctions to navigate and a succession of increasingly challenging hills. Add to this a huge variety of road surfaces to contend with, some of them very pleasant – new tarmac road through the woods, paths through the salt marshes and some not so pleasant – the usual roadworks, gravel paths, unfinished roads, cobblestones, and an onslaught of obstacles. Our pace slowed down and the group separated for the first time as we each focussed on getting through the miles. True to form, we all cycled every mile and having regrouped before then end, were euphoric to reach the hotel together at 5.30pm. Just enough time to wash our kit, shower, change and head to a restaurant for some supper.