MORNING SENTINEL • May 21, 2021
In early March, Jonathan McGonagle and Nicki Grisi left California. They pedaled through wind, rain and snow, meeting other cyclists along the way who would travel with them for a while. They slept in tents, bought food at out-of-the-way gas stations and met many characters along their route to Florida. Then, McGonagle and Grisi headed up the East Coast to Maine. They arrived in Waterville on Tuesday night after biking 5,000 miles. Grisi raised several thousands dollars along the trip to donate to an animal rescue at which he and his girlfriend volunteer in his hometown. He and McGonagle parted ways Wednesday morning after 80 days on the road together. Grisi took off for Dedham to visit a old friend before pedaling back to New Jersey. McGonagle headed to Sangerville to visit his brother and family before returning to Portland. Their cross-country trip was life-changing, according to McGonagle.