I have finished!! San Diego, California to St. Augustine, Florida - all on a bike!! Two months on the road - how crazy is that???
Snack table at 7:30 this morning and then off we went!! Just a short meander through the countryside (40 miles or so) to finally all meet up at the fire station in St. Augustine - yesterday the weather forecast was for rain and thunderstorms, but as always on this trip, the rain held off, it was overcast and cool though horribly humid... We were met at the fire station by the local police - two cars - and off we went through the city of St. Augustine with our police escort. Like Madeleine we went in two straight lines - through traffic lights, waving to the crowds - it was a magical moment. Carol, our guide, had said that we would feel goosebumps and I did!! It gave us just a bit of time to think about what we had accomplished - I still can't answer the question "Why would you want to do this??" but I know that it was something amazing!!!
Down to the beach where we were greeted by family and friends, and then down to the ocean for the ceremonial dip in the water.. I do have a great picture of me (taken by Sheila - thank you!) but the internet is not great here, so soon, okay??
Lunch at the beach, some free time in the afternoon and a final, farewell banquet. To celebrate and to be a little sad - we all know that the odds are most of us won't see each other again. But I have enjoyed - immensely - the time that I have spent with these fabulous, fabulous women.
Now - some statistics Janine style...
1 - # of falls - first day (loser!!)
4 - # of heart-pounding close encounters of the canine kind...
5 - # of flats!! (1 - # of flats that I fixed pretty much on my own)
1 - # of swims in my biking clothes
2 - # of packages mailed home - with stuff that I didn't need
8 - # of people that fell ill one night in Blythe
2 - amazing restaurant meals The Curious Kumquat in Silver City & Jacksons in Pensacola
4 - foreigners in the group - 2 from the UK and 2 from Canada
1 - Zydeco band (Sheila playing the washboard on stage..)
1 - 12 bar blues band
1 - B & B with a sunflower chair on the sunset-viewing roof terrace
1 - B & B owned by a lady whose husband, the prison warden, shot her 5 times and then sat down to watch her die.. (she lived - I assume that he went to prison)
1 - century ride!!!
25 - miles NOT ridden on the Hell Rio ride (sorry, Del Rio)
3 - Carnegie Deli cheesecakes (what was I thinking??)
1 - rest day at a holiday spot - on the beach!!
4 or 5 - # of times that I was lost - never seriously though
3 - Bubba encounters!
3 - total number of chefs on the trip
1 - oh-so-glorious home cooked turkey dinner
1 - truly horrible, nasty rainy day (leaving Austen)
1 - scorpion (in Sheila's bag)
2 - really bad, soul-destroying nasty head wind days
8 Best Western hotels
4 or so Starbucks!!
too many to count - Walmarts (you can buy anything there - who knew??)
1 free ice cream cone from Wendell in Perry, Florida
58 days in total
48 cycling days
OVER 3,000 MILES!!!
Thursday, May 1, 2014
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Out-pedalling storms...
I hear that there has been some crazy weather in Florida, but somehow - thankfully - we have managed to miss it all!!
The last two days have both been 70+ mile days (piece of cake) and both days have been overcast with threatening clouds in the afternoon.
Yesterday, a lady pulled up beside me in her car and warned me that there was a big storm about 15-20 minutes behind us, so what to do???!! Take shelter immediately OR try to out-pedal it??? Option number two, of course - much more fun. So Sue and I started to pedal like crazy - with still 10-12 miles to go!!! I have never biked so hard and so fast for such a length of time in my life - it was fun and a little scary all at the same time. It was humid (of course, this is Florida) and hot but soon the wind gusts were cold... and the skies were getting darker and darker... Five minutes out from the hotel, it started to rain... I pulled into the High Springs Country Inn (not nearly as nice as it sounds..) wet but just a little.
I won!! I out-pedalled the storm!!
It had actually been a wonderful day up until the end. We had made a stop at the Ichetucknee Springs Park - and swam in this beautiful spring-fed swimming hole. First time that I have ever swum in my bike clothes. It was great!
And after I got to the hotel, there was a diner across the street - like an old-fashioned soda joint - so we had a late lunch there, and after supper, Sheila and I wandered over for a beer (or a proper tea for Sheila) because there was a live band playing - a 12- bar blues band. The place was packed with motorcycle guys with long grey hair and beards, tattoos and leather vests - great people watching!!
Today it was a pretty uneventful day but fortunately we chose to minimize the stops because right now (just after 3pm) it is pouring rain!! A couple of people are still out there - hopefully the Sag driver was able to find them and pick them up...
Great memory from today - we had all been talking about Dairy Queen and blizzards so 10 or so of us stopped in Palatka at a take out only DQ. A guy was in the parking lot and had opened his car door - the song Happy by Pharell Williams was playing - loudly - so Sunnye, Liz and I started dancing in the parking lot. Haven't you always wanted to dance in a parking lot??? Can cross that off my bucket list now....
Last cycling day is TOMORROW!!!!!
The last two days have both been 70+ mile days (piece of cake) and both days have been overcast with threatening clouds in the afternoon.
Yesterday, a lady pulled up beside me in her car and warned me that there was a big storm about 15-20 minutes behind us, so what to do???!! Take shelter immediately OR try to out-pedal it??? Option number two, of course - much more fun. So Sue and I started to pedal like crazy - with still 10-12 miles to go!!! I have never biked so hard and so fast for such a length of time in my life - it was fun and a little scary all at the same time. It was humid (of course, this is Florida) and hot but soon the wind gusts were cold... and the skies were getting darker and darker... Five minutes out from the hotel, it started to rain... I pulled into the High Springs Country Inn (not nearly as nice as it sounds..) wet but just a little.
I won!! I out-pedalled the storm!!
It had actually been a wonderful day up until the end. We had made a stop at the Ichetucknee Springs Park - and swam in this beautiful spring-fed swimming hole. First time that I have ever swum in my bike clothes. It was great!
And after I got to the hotel, there was a diner across the street - like an old-fashioned soda joint - so we had a late lunch there, and after supper, Sheila and I wandered over for a beer (or a proper tea for Sheila) because there was a live band playing - a 12- bar blues band. The place was packed with motorcycle guys with long grey hair and beards, tattoos and leather vests - great people watching!!
Today it was a pretty uneventful day but fortunately we chose to minimize the stops because right now (just after 3pm) it is pouring rain!! A couple of people are still out there - hopefully the Sag driver was able to find them and pick them up...
Great memory from today - we had all been talking about Dairy Queen and blizzards so 10 or so of us stopped in Palatka at a take out only DQ. A guy was in the parking lot and had opened his car door - the song Happy by Pharell Williams was playing - loudly - so Sunnye, Liz and I started dancing in the parking lot. Haven't you always wanted to dance in a parking lot??? Can cross that off my bucket list now....
Last cycling day is TOMORROW!!!!!
Monday, April 28, 2014
8am departure delayed one hour due to fog...
Another overcast morning and for safety reasons, we were not allowed to leave until 9am because of the fog and traffic. Plus it was a short ride - just over 50 miles with a few extra miles to have lunch at a lodge in a state park.
Our rides are not very interesting right now - flat roads that go along a highway with trees on both sides for miles and miles and miles - not even much for small towns. Still haven't seen an alligator!!
Rest day in Crawfordville, Florida.
Not a great place for a rest day as we are miles from anything and anywhere. Still, managed to get some laundry done...
Right now we are in Perry, Florida. Another short day - 50 miles or so - AND we only have three cycling days left!!!
Just wanted to let you know that I am still pedalling and fast heading for the final day on Thursday,
Thanks for reading!!
Our rides are not very interesting right now - flat roads that go along a highway with trees on both sides for miles and miles and miles - not even much for small towns. Still haven't seen an alligator!!
Rest day in Crawfordville, Florida.
Not a great place for a rest day as we are miles from anything and anywhere. Still, managed to get some laundry done...
Right now we are in Perry, Florida. Another short day - 50 miles or so - AND we only have three cycling days left!!!
Just wanted to let you know that I am still pedalling and fast heading for the final day on Thursday,
Thanks for reading!!
Friday, April 25, 2014
Had to add this..
A quote from one of my new best friends, Joyce
"94 miles today at 85 degrees and 45% humidity. And... whoever said Florida was flat may get a punch on the nose."
She may have been serious...
"94 miles today at 85 degrees and 45% humidity. And... whoever said Florida was flat may get a punch on the nose."
She may have been serious...
90 on the 90...
Hmm... 92 or 95 miles yesterday - depends who you ask.. but in any case, it was easy!! Funny to say that but the roads were mainly flat, the winds were not against us and it was just keep on pedalling' !!
Now I say that I wasn't tired, but it is true that I could not stay awake past 9pm - fortunately there was another time zone change today so maybe I can stay awake until 10??? Most of the ride was on SR 90,
(hence the title) but despite the fact that it was a main highway, traffic was pretty light and the shoulder was wide and smooth. One of our riders was cycling right beside a semi when one of its tires blew!!!
She was fine but I think that it scared the heck out of the driver - fortunately it was one of the inside tires so the debris did not head her way. We don't like to admit it much, but I suspect that most of us sing as we cycle and she said that she just happened to be singing "Amazing Grace" - coincidence????
A very easy day today - just 51 miles on quiet, beautifully lush and green back roads. All the dogs were behind fences and there were just enough hills to keep things interesting!!
Take care y'all!!!
Now I say that I wasn't tired, but it is true that I could not stay awake past 9pm - fortunately there was another time zone change today so maybe I can stay awake until 10??? Most of the ride was on SR 90,
(hence the title) but despite the fact that it was a main highway, traffic was pretty light and the shoulder was wide and smooth. One of our riders was cycling right beside a semi when one of its tires blew!!!
She was fine but I think that it scared the heck out of the driver - fortunately it was one of the inside tires so the debris did not head her way. We don't like to admit it much, but I suspect that most of us sing as we cycle and she said that she just happened to be singing "Amazing Grace" - coincidence????
A very easy day today - just 51 miles on quiet, beautifully lush and green back roads. All the dogs were behind fences and there were just enough hills to keep things interesting!!
Take care y'all!!!
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
First of all, I know that you are all wondering...
No, the weird looking cycling tan is still with me - it could be permanent for all I know! People look at you strangely as you walk down the beach, but most are too polite to stare. At least I am with women that are all equally odd looking...
Dauphin Island was a great break!! We hung out with Virginia - mostly in a desperate search for food as most of the limited number of restaurants on the island are closed on Mondays - but we had a great reunion with her. As I think that I have said before, there are 7 of us that were all on the Pacific Coast trip together, so Virginia caught up with all of us. It was so nice to see her again!!
And we did spend some time at the pool - mocking each other's tans!
We caught a ferry to get off the island which was fun! And then the ride was a nice, easy 60 miles...
along the coast and through high density tourist, beachy areas. And then we arrived in Florida - our eighth and last!! state! New state means margarita night - also popular. We were in Pensacola staying in the downtown area and it was a find-your-own-meal night, so Sheila, MarySlade and I had a fantastic meal in a steakhouse (Jacksons).
Today just a little further and an uneventful ride. We have moved away from the coast to try to avoid the busier roads. Some lovely back roads today and a bike path for several miles. Maybe a few too many miles 'cause we kinda missed our turn - all part of the adventure!!
Note : "Red-neck laundry" A lot of the ladies rinse out their biking clothes every day and they have become very! creative ... many times the luggage racks and even an ironing board will be sitting outside the rooms draped with clothing... classy? maybe not, but effective!!
Note : Road kill - deer, birds - big and small, snakes, two cats and a dog, lots of opossums!, raccoons,
quite a few armadillos!, skunks, and a beaver with its tail cut off...
Nice to have something to look at as you pedal along ..... not!!
Sometimes it is hard not to be at home - one of Brad's very good friends (and a family friend) Alex, his father passed away. So sorry Alex. I wish that I could be in Calgary to go to the funeral..
Dauphin Island was a great break!! We hung out with Virginia - mostly in a desperate search for food as most of the limited number of restaurants on the island are closed on Mondays - but we had a great reunion with her. As I think that I have said before, there are 7 of us that were all on the Pacific Coast trip together, so Virginia caught up with all of us. It was so nice to see her again!!
And we did spend some time at the pool - mocking each other's tans!
We caught a ferry to get off the island which was fun! And then the ride was a nice, easy 60 miles...
along the coast and through high density tourist, beachy areas. And then we arrived in Florida - our eighth and last!! state! New state means margarita night - also popular. We were in Pensacola staying in the downtown area and it was a find-your-own-meal night, so Sheila, MarySlade and I had a fantastic meal in a steakhouse (Jacksons).
Today just a little further and an uneventful ride. We have moved away from the coast to try to avoid the busier roads. Some lovely back roads today and a bike path for several miles. Maybe a few too many miles 'cause we kinda missed our turn - all part of the adventure!!
Note : "Red-neck laundry" A lot of the ladies rinse out their biking clothes every day and they have become very! creative ... many times the luggage racks and even an ironing board will be sitting outside the rooms draped with clothing... classy? maybe not, but effective!!
Note : Road kill - deer, birds - big and small, snakes, two cats and a dog, lots of opossums!, raccoons,
quite a few armadillos!, skunks, and a beaver with its tail cut off...
Nice to have something to look at as you pedal along ..... not!!
Sometimes it is hard not to be at home - one of Brad's very good friends (and a family friend) Alex, his father passed away. So sorry Alex. I wish that I could be in Calgary to go to the funeral..
Sunday, April 20, 2014
We are at the beach - and it feels good!!
Funny how things have changed -
yesterday's ride was "only " 68 miles and we were all saying that it was such a nice, easy day. At the beginning of the trip, we would get to the hotel, eat supper, drag ourselves to our rooms and try our best to stay awake until 9pm.
Now after such a "short " day, we have all this time to do other things, eat, chat, watch an episode of "Miranda", get caught up on e-mails, laundry etc. and go to bed like normal people!!
Today was even shorter - only 41 miles!!! And finally the sun is out which makes everything seem a little brighter! We are at Dauphin Island, Alabama - staying in condos on the beach. Beautiful white sand - such bliss!!! And we are here for a rest day - what could be better??? Actually, there is another wonderful thing - our friend, Virginia, is here for a visit!! She was with us on the Pacific Coast cycling trip and she is such a sweetheart!!
Only 10 cycling days left...
Tomorrow, my main goal is to try to even out that weird looking cycling tan....
yesterday's ride was "only " 68 miles and we were all saying that it was such a nice, easy day. At the beginning of the trip, we would get to the hotel, eat supper, drag ourselves to our rooms and try our best to stay awake until 9pm.
Now after such a "short " day, we have all this time to do other things, eat, chat, watch an episode of "Miranda", get caught up on e-mails, laundry etc. and go to bed like normal people!!
Today was even shorter - only 41 miles!!! And finally the sun is out which makes everything seem a little brighter! We are at Dauphin Island, Alabama - staying in condos on the beach. Beautiful white sand - such bliss!!! And we are here for a rest day - what could be better??? Actually, there is another wonderful thing - our friend, Virginia, is here for a visit!! She was with us on the Pacific Coast cycling trip and she is such a sweetheart!!
Only 10 cycling days left...
Tomorrow, my main goal is to try to even out that weird looking cycling tan....
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