Final Thoughts

It was an amazing trip by bicycle across the US.  The tour operator, Bubba's Pampered Pedelars did a phenomenal job of planning and executing the tour.  He and his staff are amazing.  The rest of the riders were a diverse group who came together as a family.  We demonstrated the esprit d'corps that is possible when you have a common interest, mission and well organized plan.

I'm really glad that I kept the blog since most of the days are a blur.  I have snippets here and there of sights and sounds, but most of the details are fleeting.  The most enduring memories are the thoughts of my riding partner and me sweeping through the light and air over all types of terrain.  Along with my memories of the times with Frances are my memories of the other riders and our shared time on the road.  We were able to recognize most riders by their riding style from a couple of hundred yards away.

I laughed more than I have in ages, sometimes to the point of tears.  I was inspired to think and learn due to the talks from other riders and guest speakers.  I saw magnificent natural beauty in places such as Big Bend National Park.  I saw oddities such as the Jersey Lilly, the Saloon and Courtroom of Judge Roy Bean.

I feel amazing.  After riding 3000 miles in 52 days, I've exhausted the tension and stress from my body.  My brain is awash in endorphins.

Thanks to my amazing wife for participating enthusiastically in the trip.  She was by far the strongest female rider and in the top 5 among all riders.  You go, girl!

Day 52

Palatka to St Augustine 43 miles

Bittersweet.  I'm so happy and excited to have finished the ride of almost 3000 miles in 52 days.   I'm so sad that our group of 43 riders plus staff are parting ways. 

As we rode the last 1 1/2 mile escorted by our SAG vehicles to the ocean, cheers from family and strangers were heard.  I think I cried most of the way.  

There was champagne waiting for us at the beach. Then hugs, tears, laughter, and joy. 

We had dinner across the street and then awards.  Eddy was in the running for most the flats, but Cecil managed to eke by with 11. 

Bubba presented us with a   framed picture, a medal and a thumb drive containing photographs.  Can't wait to see them! 

It's all good. 

~Frances

The Home Stretch

Frances and I are the last ones up today.  A short day and a requirement not to arrive before 1:30 for a group finish mean we start late.  Looks like a day of good weather and we're looking forward to soaking it in.

We had a nice ride into the beach.  People were cheering from balconies and blowing horns in cars.  It was quite nice.  We had champagne on the beach.  I took a dive into the Atlantic.  There was laughter and tears.  It was the end of an Amazing Journey.

Day 51

High Springs (O'Leno State Park) to Palatka 84 miles

As we were leaving  our cabin, I took a picture of  our luggage for the entire 52 day ride.  This is for both of us. 

The bags contain winter and summer cycling jerseys shorts, tights, shoes, socks winter base layers, gloves, jackets. Then the walking around clothes: jeans,  pjs, shorts, tops (long and short sleeved) socks, jackets, sneakers, sandals. 

And the other stuff: sleeping bag, pillow, electronic chargers, books, toiletries, spare bike tubes. 

Every time we get to our overnight place, it looks like an explosion of clothes as we try to find stuff.  

Back to today..,,,

We rode through Gainesville, with the route taking us a few blocks from Eddy's brother''s house.  They were at a gymnastics meet in Tampa, so we didn't stop by. We did stop at a Starbucks, the first since Tucson. 

In Gainesville we started at about mile 34 on a bike trail for about 20 miles.  It was shady, good pavement, and mostly clean.  We could hear loud thunder, but we were  lucky that we only caught a few sprinkles. Not so lucky for the riders behind us!  They got soaked.  

After the trail, at about mile 57, it started raining again.  Since it was lunchtime we stopped at a cafe.  Then it really started raining. Hard.  Soon soggy riders filled up the cafe to eat lunch, dry off, and wait for the rain to at least subside. After about an hour and sunny again, we set off for the final 30 miles. 

And what a 30 miles they were!  All with a fierce tailwind! 22-25 mph we were riding.  

 

We had time to take a nap when we got to Palatka. Margie, the massage therapist, took the picture. 

 Our overnight is at the National Guard Armory.   After supper,  riders and support staff sat in a circle for about two hours reminiscing about the trip.  Emotions were high.

Now for the icing on the cake.  Tomorrow's ride is 43 miles to St Augustine.  We all meet about 2 miles from the beach and ride single file to the Atlantic Ocean.  What a trip. 

High Springs to Palatka

Our last long day, 84 miles.  Hot and humid. We did a quick 30 miles into Starbucks. Next is a bike path through Gainesville.

Riding down the Hawthorn trail we came upon a UF student who crashed on the bike trail.  Dean and Jim were giving him first aid.  We got him 4 miles down the bike trail to our SAG stop.  Bubba's team is going to transport him back to his dorm where he will then visit student medical services.  He crashed due to a root growing under the path.  Due to his speed, it threw him from the bike.  Bike trails are nice, but are seldom sufficiently maintained.  Debris, water, holes and other hazards make them less than perfect.

We stopped for lunch in Hawthorn and are enjoying some chicken. And a good thing it was.  While stopped a major rainstorm hit and dropped about an inch of rain during lunch.  We left when the rain stopped.  About 15 miles from Palotka we caught a 15 MPH tailwind and rocketed into town at 25 MPH.

We had ice cream and cold drinks at the shop across from the National Guard Armory where we are overnighting.

Showered about a pound of dirt and sand from my legs and kicking back in the AC.

Day 50

Rest Dayst O'Leno State Park (High Springs) 0 miles

   Rest Day for me!

Rebecca, my sister-in-law, came to visit, while her husband, Tim, (Eddy's bro) went on a bike ride with Eddy.  

Great day just relaxing, walking, and talking.  

Eddy's younger brother, Brek (Orlando) and GF, Sherrie, also came up for supper.  Fun times!

Prior to supper, Dean, retired from the US Coast Guard and later Captain of a Merchant Marine ship  presented his encounter with Somalia pirates the same day Captain Phillips was attacked. Yes the same as the movie. It was a fascinating story how they heard word of the possibility of another arrack of an American  ship and how they were proactive of defending  theirselves. He said Hollywood did a good job with the facts  What a great story !!!

I helped with the gift to our ride director, Bubba.  Linda, a rider with the artistic flair, created a Saint Guadeloupe Icon with trash found along the way, starting in CA.  

Here's the finished product:

When Linda presented the icon after supper tonight, cheers and tears were heard, 

Rest Day at O'Leno State Park

Everyone is rested and upbeat today.  After a beautiful night's sleep we are enjoying our last rest day.  Only 2 rides remain, 84 and 43 miles.  I'm very conflicted about the ride's end.  I don't know how many times, if any, I've been so reluctant to be on the verge of meeting a long standing and difficult goal.  I rode my bicycle across the Both American continent.  Holy crap, how cool is that.  Of course, I'm not done yet, but as the Moody Blues sang, I'm on the "Threshold of a Dream".

Day 49

Madison to High Springs (O'Lean State Park) 77.7 miles

Another great ride! Beautiful weather and scenery.  We cycled over the Suwanne River early this morning.

We finally said "goodbye" to US-90.  Not sure how many miles we traveled on that road, some at the beginning,  middle, and in Florida.  Hundreds, if not over a thousand. 

Wild flowers lined the  roadway today.  No dogs, pleasant traffic, great roads.  

Eddy's brother, Tim, wife Rebecca and daughter Kate, came for supper tonight.  They live in Gainesville, about 45 minutes away. Great to see them!!

We are staying at O'Leno State Park in cabins for the next two nights.  Tomorrow is a rest day.  A much needed rest day, having cycled 6 days in a row. 

Madison to High Springs

A longer day today to High Springs and the DeLeno State Park.  Food roads and nice scenery are promised for today.  Excited to have Tim, Rebecca and Kate join us there.

Way down upon the Sewanee River.

Day 48

Tallahassee to Madison ~48 miles

Another beautiful riding day. Short, easy, and spirts are bittersweet. Only three more riding days left. 

Rest stops were in Monticello and Greenwood, home of Ray Charles.  

Today was our last laundry day (laundry is done twice a week).  Before we left the hotel this  morning we sorted our dirty laundry in bins,  bike shorts, jerseys, whites, etc.  When we got to our overnight, the gym at North Florida Community College, the clean clothes were  waiting for us.  Stacks and stacks. 

Sometimes it takes a couple of trips to find all your clothes. 

After supper, we had a inspirational speaker,  Mrs. Elesta Pritchett, Mayor Emeritus of Greenville, FL and childhood friend of Ray Charles.  Both she and Charles grew up poor in the segregated south.  A high school dropout,  she got married, had 5 children, went back to school and eventually got her Masters Degree. 

At almost 85 years old, she's sharp as a tack.

Tomorrow we have a long 77 mile ride to High Springs, north of Gainesville. Saturday is a rest day,  Sumday we ride 80ish miles to Palatka, then a short 43 miles to St Augustine on Monday. 

Madison, Fl

Today was a picture perfect day for riding. One of many homes along Hwy 90 is shown below.

It was nice to stop in Greenville and visit Ray Charles' Memorial Park.  Tonight we anticipate a speaker who knew Ray all of his life.

We arrives in Madison, FL and had lunch at a local pizza parlor.  It was nice, a small pizza with spinach and feta.

A long day tomorrow to High Springs and our last rest day.  I'm hopeful that my brothers can join us there, and perhaps ride with us on Sunday through Gainesville.

Tallahassee to Madison

A short 45 mile ride today to Madison, Florida.  We've been promised an excellent speaker tonight.  We pass through Greenville, FL, the childhood home of Ray Charles. 

Day 47

Marianna to Tallahassee 75 miles

Eastern Time Zone! And again a great cycling weather day! 

We had the opportunity to go to Georgia and we did.  Only .3 miles off the route at about Mile 23. 

I was dreading this day.  Lots of urban cycling through Tallahassee but we made it safely and with less anxiety than I thought.

The last 15 miles or so, bike lanes and neighborhoods through Tallahassee to our overnight at the Best Western at I-10.

 

Only 4 more cycling days. I will cherish all my new friendships and memories. 

Marianna to Tallahassee

A 75 mile ride today takes us into the Eastern time zone as we cross the Chattahoochee river.  Point of interest, I was born on the banks of the Chattahoochee a few miles upstream.  Well, actually in the hospital which is built there.

We took a very short excursion from the official route and rode into Georgia for a visit to out ninth state on the tour.

We had beautiful, sunny weather and a mix of head winds and tail winds.  We stopped at the Uptown Cafe and are 8 miles from the end of the route.  We are staying in a Best Western motel tonight.  Last night was our last night in tents for the duration of the tour.  This is good news for some and bad news for others.

While eating, Dean, Ron & Nancy, and Bruce rolled up to the light.  I got a chance to capture this photo of them, 8 miles from the finish.

The water is still a bit cool, but we're in Florida and sitting by the pool.

Day 46

De Funiak Springs to Marianna 70 miles

Beautiful day of riding!  Today was all sun and blue skies, the first in weeks!  We rode through downtown Defuniak Springs and past Florida's oldest public library. 

Gorgeous Victorian homes and large oak trees lined the streets.  

We were pretty much on 90E for most of the day.  We did cross US 231.  For my Huntsville friends, that's Memorial Parkway!  All we had to do is take a left. And be home. 

Tonight is our last night in tents.  I think we'll be in cabins, gyms and a hotel for the remainder.  Can't believe we only have five  riding days left.  

Tomorrow takes us to Tallahassee.  I'm not looking forward to riding in busy traffic.  Oh well.  That's part of it. 

Less than 1 Week to Go

As hard as it is to believe, we have less than a week to go. Six riding days remain before we arrive in St Augustine on Monday.  It will be a loss to have the remaining 40 riders say goodbye and go their separate ways.  I will also greatly miss spending the bulk of my days devoted to physical fitness.  Spending the days out doors, even when raining, is a stimulating and interesting way to spend time.

We awoke this morning to cool temperatures and the songs of many birds. It was great sleeping weather and a wonderful night to spend in the tent.  Today, there is no forecast for rain.

Stopped for lunch at the Gazebo Deli and had a Reuben and spinach salad.  Very good. It was a beautiful, cool, sunny day and we had a fabulous ride.  I was in arm warmers all day.  Dry.  A great day.

Day 45

Milton to DeFuniak Springs 54 miles

Flat+tailwind=easy ride

We were mostly on FL 90E today.  Not much to see except the Animal Tree.

Out of camp by 7:30, in at the Sky King RV Resort (*****) by noon.  Nice RV resort. 

Karaoke tonight!! Woohoo!

Day 44

Dauphin Island to Milton,  FL 85 miles

We awoke to a downpour about 5:00 AM.  The rain stopped/started before  breakfast at 7:00.  We got to the launch for the ferry at 7:30 for the 8:00 trip to Ft Morgan and the bottom fell out.  Of course, the ferry was delayed about 20 minutes and there we were  in the torential downpour. Bruce dropped his phone in the water, never to be found. Marla danced in the rain to Cecil's rendition of 'Singing in the Rain'. What could you do but make the most of it. 

We finally got on the ferry for the 45 minute ride. 

After we got to Ft Morgan about 9:15, our official 85 mile ride started.  It wasn't the best ride of our trip; mostly urban riding with lots of traffic. We did have a bike lane/road shoulder to ride in but traffic noise made me anxious. 

We stopped in at the Florabama about 11:15 and had a Bloody Mary.  It was kind of weird - they were also having a church service there.  The motto: "Sin on Friday, Church on Sunday".

But hey, we now arrived in Florida!

We made it ok to Milton about 4:00, save my flat tire.  Our friend, Gerdi, and her BF, Dean, came to visit us at our overnight at the KOA.  It was great to see her! She used to live in Huntsville, but is now living in Navarre, FL, only 20 miles from our campsite.  Bed early.

Milton to Defuniak Springs

Short ride today.  A clear evening last night, but sprinkles this AM.  We would all enjoy a day without rain for a change.

It was nice to see Gerdi and her new boyfriend, Dean last night at dinner.

Shown is the Animal Tree, a woodcarving in the trunk of a long dead oak

The ladies at the RV park made dinner for us.  Shown are the riders just as we begin our riders' meeting to review tomorrow's route.

Less than 400 miles to go. :(

Karaoke night at the RV park.  Now that's living.

Dauphin Island to Milton, Fl

Strong thunderstorms hit an hour before the time that we have to rise and shine.  Our first step is to cross Mobile Bay on an open ferry.  The rain has paused for now and we're all up and dressing/packing.  Once we eat breakfast its over to the ferry for boarding.  We will hopefully arrive at Ft Morgan by 845 to begin a 90 mile day to Milton.

We made it mostly dry into Pensacola.  We stopped in the FloraBama for Bloody Mary's.  We had bike lanes the whole way, although the were offer under water.  Frances had has ninth flat tire, tying with me at 9 a piece. We stopped at an outdoor food court, Al Fresco, in Pensacole for lunch. 

Looking forward  to seeing Gerdi Kaiser at our campground tonight.

Day 42 and 43

Ocean Springs to Dauphin Island 84 miles

Waffle House was next door to the hotel so we, and a few others, stopped in for breakfast before the ride. 

After about mile 34, we entered Alabama.  To be honest, I was a bit apprehensive about our route in AL. There are cyclists from 22 states and  four countries. Will I be embarrassed?  Will AL have  the worst roads ever?  Trash all over the roads?  Meth lab-looking houses? Nope! 

Best and cleanest roads ever! 

Our route took us to Bayou LaBatre, Forrest Gump country. 

The ride was flat, a bit rainy, but very very nice. 

We cycled over the causeway bridge in an awful headwind. It. Was. A. Long. Bridge. 

We are camping at the campgrounds across the street from the ferry. We can hear the ocean. 

The next day, Saturday, was a rest day.  We woke up to rain.  And it rained on and off all day. A window of weather opportunity opened up and Eddy and I rode  our bikes to the other end of the island.  14 mile round trip. We had the beach all to ourselves. 

But the window closed and we were drenched on the way back. 

A 1000 piece Jigsaw puzzle entertained some of us. It was a group project and lots of fun.  

Sunday we take the ferry east and head to FL.