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On the final day of his 3,930-mile bicycle trek across the country, Rabbi George Schlesinger found himself at a familiar site — a synagogue.

“I just turned a corner, and there it was,” said Schlesinger, referring to Temple Israel in Portsmouth, N.H. “I didn’t go in and stop because it was a Tuesday at noon” — and anyway, he was wearing his biking gear. “It was a very emotional day.”

Schlesinger, while on sabbatical from Congregation Beth Ami in Santa Rosa, completed his first cross-country bicycle ride on July 27 with the ceremonial dipping of the wheels in the Atlantic Ocean.

Congregants’ pledges, based on the rabbi’s logged miles, raised more than $21,000 for Beth Ami’s operating fund.

Rabbi George Schlesinger dips his wheels in the Atlantic.

Schlesinger embarked on June 5 with 27 riders who took on the Cross Country Challenge, a coast-to-coast tour through some of the most beautiful and scenic spots in the country.

His wife, Paula, surprised him with a visit in St. Joseph, Mo., and he said climbing the Rockies — 13 miles at a steep incline — was a notable accomplishment. That, and teaching his Catholic roommate who attended weekly Mass all about Judaism.

“From the beginning we would share stories of religion and related issues,” Schlesinger recalled. “Every Friday night he wished me Shabbat shalom.”

But the adventure wasn’t without challenges.

Riding into Salt Lake City, the group battled 75 mph wind gusts. And toward the end of the ride, driving rain plagued the group for a nearly 85-mile stretch. Schlesinger dubbed those treacherous days as “ones no one would ever ride at home.”

Now that he’s back (without his bike, which is being shipped from the East Coast), Schlesinger said he would do it again, but in segments.

“The idea of riding cross-country with a different route is very appealing,” he said. “I don’t know that I would do it in 50 days. That was a long time to be away.”

— amanda pazornik