After leaving Princeton, just 45 miles separated us from Manhattan. The final stretch along a canal and over a bridge into Staten Island brought a mix of anticipation and excitement. Storing our trikes, we took the ferry into Manhattan, watching the sun set behind the Statue of Liberty. It was an emotional moment filled with pride and gratitude, especially for those who helped us, like Janet, Larry, and Joe from Stein Trikes. Reaching the end felt like a surreal accomplishment, made possible by so many.

In New York, the contrast between the quiet roads and the busy city was overwhelming. We shared our story at New York Climate Week events hosted by Patagonia, RAFA, and Nautilus Solar before retiring our trikes with Joe from Fairfield Cyclery. As we wrap up, we want to thank everyone who supported us. This victory belongs to all of you. Thank you for following along, and we hope this inspires you to start your own adventure and join the solar revolution.

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After a few restful days in D.C., hosted by our friend Jordan’s mom, Susan, we prepared for the final leg of our journey. Riding through heavy traffic on the East Coast Greenway from D.C. to New York was challenging, but we enjoyed a community bike ride, an event at Patagonia, and even caught a Bruce Springsteen concert in Baltimore. Along the way, we met Tomasz, who had just begun his run across America. Finally, after a lovely stop in Princeton with our warm showers hosts, we readied ourselves for the last push into New York City.

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We continued our journey onto the C&O Canal towpath, which turned out to be far more challenging than the Great Allegheny Passage due to muddy, uneven trails and hazardous conditions between the canal and the Potomac River. Facing difficult terrain and unexpected extra miles, we decided to stay in a hotel for the first time to rest and recalibrate. Despite bad weather and mechanical challenges, we persevered with the help of kind strangers like Jerry, who assisted us in navigating obstacles. The rough conditions tested our resolve, but we appreciated the beautiful scenery and the absence of cars. Ultimately, we reached Washington, D.C., grateful for the experiences and ready for the final push to New York City.

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We began riding the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP), a 150-mile bike trail from Pittsburgh to Cumberland, which has been a highlight of our cross-country trip. Immersed in lush forests teeming with wildlife, we enjoyed the freedom from traffic and directions, despite chilly weather and limited solar power due to tree cover. Meeting other cyclists, including an inspiring 81-year-old man on his e-bike, was invigorating. Maintained by volunteers like Linda, the GAP not only fosters a healthy environment but also boosts local economies; we relished fresh produce at Jeff’s garden stand. Reaching the Eastern Continental Divide, we reflected on how trails like the GAP can revitalize rural America and looked forward to continuing on the C&O Canal Towpath.

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We started the day riding out of East Palestine, Ohio, and crossed into Pennsylvania, facing steep Appalachian hills and dangerous roads marked as official bike routes but lacking shoulders. Eventually, we arrived in Pittsburgh, where we met Adam from Adam Solar Rides, who took us on a tour of the city and introduced us to the local culture. After that, we began riding the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP), a 330-mile off-road trail leading to Washington, D.C., providing a much-needed break from traffic. Unfortunately, we lost our flag again, but after an 8-mile detour, a kind cyclist named Bane helped us recover it. Exhausted but happy, we settled into a campsite, looking forward to more adventures on the GAP.

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We woke up in a pavilion just south of Wooster, Ohio, and were greeted by Katie and her friend Shannon, who brought us a warm breakfast—a lovely start to the day. Despite the good morning, the rest of the day was tough. We encountered unfriendly drivers, steep hills, and a colder reception from people compared to the warmth we’ve experienced elsewhere. Along the way, we counted 814 American flags, 63 Trump signs, and only one Kamala Harris sign, which highlighted the area’s political leanings. We ended the day camping in East Palestine, a town still dealing with the aftermath of a toxic train spill, making it a somber close to a challenging day.

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We share our journey through Amish Country in Ohio. We started the day in Forest, Ohio, with a quick 60-cent coffee and fast progress in the morning sun, but the hills in the Appalachian region slowed us down. Along the way, we met Carl, who recognized us from the news and kindly offered us water, and Nabil, who treated us to a giant cookie pizza. We then entered Amish Country, where we had an incredible conversation with two Amish women, Katie and Ruby, who were fascinated by our solar bikes and shared insights about their community’s use of technology, including e-bikes and solar power. It was a heartwarming and eye-opening day, showing us that even in places like Amish Country, the solar revolution is alive and well.

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We share our gratitude for the support from Janet, Larry, and Joe of Stein Trikes, who have been crucial to their journey. After Polo’s bike battery exploded in Chicago, Joe drove hours to deliver a new one in Ohio, a generous act that kept them moving. This episode reflects on the kindness and community spirit we’ve experienced across America, reminding us that our journey is made possible by the help of strangers. A woman named Mo we met at a gas station summed it up perfectly: this country is about helping your neighbors, even if they are thousands of miles away. The kindness we’ve encountered continues to inspire us.

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We began our day in Indiana, dealing with heat and humidity, and were welcomed by Pastor Pat Allen, who offered prayers for our safe travels. After cycling through flat roads with lots of solar power, we stopped in Rowan, a town known for its covered bridge. We then met our Warm Showers hosts, Dave and Jennifer, in Zanesville, where we enjoyed homemade tiramisu and learned about local beekeeping. The next morning, we set off toward Ohio, ready for a new day on the road.

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After a great night in Chicago, we felt confident with only 11 days of riding left. However, things quickly went wrong. We lost, and then recovered, our new flag near the Bean. Then, one of Polo’s bike batteries exploded at a pizza restaurant, leaving us with only one battery. Despite the setback, we pushed on into Indiana, securing a Warm Showers host just in time for some rest. We also faced two flat tires but managed to keep going. With many miles and challenges ahead, we remain determined to reach Washington DC, focusing on staying positive and pushing forward toward the finish line.

Learn more at https://linktr.ee/thegreenjourney