14-03-22

Al and Sally

        Al and Sally are a real bonus I had no idea I would experience on my adventure. Al rode the East Coast Greenway from Amelia Island to Key West and back a few years ago and now host cyclists biking the Southern Tier Bike Route.

        They are a team, making sure every need is met. I told them my plan was to meet my son at a hotel in Pensacola. Al invited him to come to their home ans stay the night. Wow….

        As we waited for Mark to come, I gladly performed some chores around the house. Al told me how much fun it was to remove all the leaves from his pool. I bit, reminiscent of a chapter out of the book, Tom Sawyer.

        It was so nice to see my son Mark. He was on his way to Valdosta, Ga. and made a detour to see me. We helped Al mount a table saw to a table and Mark continued his drive east.

        After dinner, I confirmed my plans to ride my bike to New Orleans and then take a bus to San Diego.

        Day 16, 0 miles. Milton, Florida.

14-03-21

Milton

I was looking forward to meet my son, Mark, on Saturday. Somewhere around Pensacola would work. I looked on “Warm Showers” were hosts are listed in towns and their status if they are available for hosting. I emailed Al and Sally and they replied that they were home. Great! I was smelling pretty bad and needed rest after yesterday’s miles.
As I biked on US90 which parallels I-10 and thought about our transportation habits. An interstate on my left, railroad on my right. All the energy we consume to move from place to place. Just a thought…
I was checking email in Holt, Fl and Steve rode up. He was the first east bound biker that I had a chance to ask questions to about biking and the route. A lot of tips you can’t find in books. He was ready to get to St. Augustine and get back home. He had been out two months enjoying everyday at the same time missing home. ” I am having a fantastic day due to my stay at Sally and Al’s. You are in for a real treat”. He also said Mark, the owner of Truly Spokin bike shop in Milton was the bomb. I was having trouble with my front shifter so why not check it out.
Mark had me bring in the bike and went right to work. He looked like a honey bee working on a bouquet of flowers. Check this, adjust that. Amazing. “You’re all set”. All tuned up and on my way to Al and Sally’s.
As I pulled into the driveway, Sally welcomed me and set down the rules. Shower, laundry, dinner at 5:00.. Nice!

Day 10, 52.5 miles. Milton Florida.

14-03-20

De Funiak Springs

As the train rumbled next to me, I woke up to a great morning. I made some coffee and oatmeal in my JetBoil. Wow was that fast! On the road at 7:30 am.

Biking through Florida with its rolling hills and small towns began to take on a rhythm. Cottondale, Chipley, Bonifay, Caryville, Westville, Ponce De Leon, Argyle, and DeFuniak Springs. Each “Town” had a convince store so of course a great stop to stretch my legs and support the local economy. In Cottondale I surveyed the breakfast bar. “Whats that? Oh that’s breakfast casserole. A little bit of everything. I’ll try some of that”. It was delicious. As I was leaving town, Rich rode along side me huffing and puffing. “Saw you leaving town. What’s up?” It was nice to bike again with Rich and Rob. They are real bikers. I mean Philly Bike Club jerseys and all. They helped me along as I took turns drafting them. My bike computer read three miles per hour faster as we bicycled west. As we approached Argyle, Rob fell back. Rich said he was going to slow up so Rob could catch up. I hit the Tom Thumb gas station for an afternoon tube steak and waited for them. I emailed Rob and headed out since they must have missed me. As it turned out, it was the last time I saw them.

The town of De Funiak Springs surrounds a perfectly round lake about a quarter-mile wide. Either a sink hole or spring, it is beautiful. I rode around town and stopped at the town museum. “Where is THE place to eat in town?” Mom and Dads was on my way out-of-town and thursday night was prime rib night. Very local, very nice, and very delicious.

As I rode into the sunset, I began to look for a place to, (I don’t want to say crash), sleep. I stopped at the fire rescue in Mossy Head and asked if it was ok to camp, In the woods of course. What great day!

Day 9, 70.3 miles. Mossy Head, Fl

14-03-19

Sharing Time

Four Beard’s Mom, Carolyn made us a delicious breakfast of fresh coffee, sausage and eggs. Yum!

We toured the art store where Four Beards works and admired all his paintings on displayed. It’s not rocket science, that it takes time to get to know someone and to experience all of their talents. I am thankful to be able to visit with Four Beards family and to see how great an artist Four Beards is.

It was time for Last Minute to drive me back to Quincy where I could run some errands before I continued west. Thanks Last Minute for taking the time to stop and share time together on your automobile adventure.

It was getting late leaving Marianna, Fl, so I looked for a place to sleep when I came upon New Hope Baptist Church just finishing up Wednesday night activities. ” Is it alright to camp at the back of your property? Sure, that would be OK.” Blessed again. As I drifted in and out of sleep, the sound of the trains rushing past me 25 yards from where I was, brought back memories of sleepless nights on the Appalachian Trail.   Day 8, 50.5 miles. Marianna Fl.

14-03-18

Hiking Friends

Maria and Diane were great hosts. Five dogs, Gringo, Stitch, Cafe, Carmelita, and Chino, two cats, and baby chicks kept me occupied. I felt so comfortable and rested. I cleaned the chain and checked the air in my tires, which was over due to be completed.

With clean cloths and body, I toured Monticello and found Tupelo’s

Bakery & Cafe. Kim and Abby made a delicious Quiche, smiling faces and all.

The road to Tallahassee was lined with Crepe Myrtles, rolling mile after rolling mile. What a sight it must be in June when they are in full bloom.

I met Last Minute, who I met while hiking the Pacific Crest Trail in 2012, in Quincy, Fl. We loaded my bike in his car, “more like crammed”, and drove north to Bainbridge, Ga. To meet Four Beards. I met him while hiking the Appalachian Trail in 2011. His mother Carolyn, made us strawberry shortcake, a perfect ending to another spectacular day.

Day 7, 55.3 miles. Quincy, Florida

14-03-17

The Rain

Once again, up early. The forecasted storm didn’t disappoint me. Lots of wind, rain, and lightning. Thanks for the pavilion, I am truly thankful.

With all my lights flashing, I headed out in the rain towards Madison, Fl. I was looking for a local diner but McDonald’s would have to do.

As it rained off and on, I pulled into Greenville, Fl. to local diner. “Anything fresh on the menu?……The fish is….. That’s what I’ll have”. The tilapia sandwich was delicious and got my mind off my wet condition.

As I was pedaling out-of-town, two cycling angels appeared in my mirror. Humm… company. As they got closer I could see it was Rich and Rob. I slid in between them and the pedaling became a lot easier. I was so thankful, I offered to buy them a beer when we arrived in Monticello.

It was St. Patrick’s Day and time to celebrate. Rob had other plans so off they went while I rode to Maria and Diane’s, warm shower hosts, to dry out.

Day 6, 41.5 miles, Monticello, Florida

14-03-16

The Wind

Up at 5:30am so I wouldn’t bother anyone since I was near some homes. I used the map app on my Android phone to find my way to Wellborn where I was assured to be back on the bike trail.

I was looking forward to a cup of coffee at a local diner but none was to be found in town. As I crossed I-10 the wind picked up. Riding along farms prepared for their spring crop, the blowing soil looked like the great dust storms I remember seeing on the old western movies. I learned what the low gears on my bike were for.

I reached Lee around 4:00 PM as the forecasted storm became a reality. With no motels nearby, I asked the locals if there was a community park with a shelter in town. “Well… today is your lucky day, two blocks past the light”. All it took was fifteen minutes for me to get prepared for tonight’s show.

Day 5, 58.5 miles, Lee, Florida.

14-03-15

Warm Showers

Tom met me at the turnoff from the Gainesville-Hawthorne Bike Trail into Gainesville. He was finishing his run, prepping for an up coming race. As he said “HI”, little did we know I had just emailed him, requesting to stay at his and Martha’s home as they are host to bicyclists on Warm Showers. “I’m drying out and waiting to hear back from Tom a Warm Showers host”. “I’m Tom, come on, I’ll show you the way to our home”.
What a welcome to the world of long distance biking. “Would you like a cold beer. Dark? Great! Shower’s upstairs, laundry out back, appetizers on the table. Help yourself”. Martha let me pick the greens from their garden for the salad, and top the home-made pizza with mushrooms and broccoli. We had a delightful dinner outdoors next to a fire. For entertainment, Leo the cat, performed circus tricks including jumping thru a hoop.
It was hard to leave but I needed to mail some more not needed gear home. After running errands in town, I started to ride towards Alachua at noon. At O’leno State Park I found a bike trail. It was so nice, I rode it off trail to Fort White. Oh no, I am lost….. Well not really.
After dinner, at Ichetucknee State Park, I missed RT 137 and looked for a way to get back on the trail. It was dark and a pickup truck revved his engine as he passed by. It was time to call it quits.

Day 4, 63 miles. West of Ichetucknee Springs State Park, Rt 247. Woods near homes.

14-03-14

Freezing

Tossed and turned all night. I never made it to the ” Primitive Campsite”. A loaded bike will not navigate a sand road. Lesson learned. Mistake number two. Do not camp in open fields. The dew made everything wet and FROZEN. No wonder I was cold in my thirty degree Western Mountaineering down bag.

I got up at 6:00 am, packed and walked my bike back to the road. As I rode, my hands and feet turned to icicles. I put Tyvak mailer bags on my feet that provided some help. The oasis appeared in the distance in the form of a Quick Stop. I savored a large coffee for an hour as my feet thawed.

As I was leaving Rich and Rob rode up. “The coffee’s Hot, see you soon” as I left. I followed a “Rails to Trails” bike path to Putnam Hall and missed the turn off on Rt 26. As I biked back, I met the two Rs and gave them the good news. Luckily they missed it only by few minutes.

We rode into Gainesville together giving me some much needed social interaction.

Day 3, 45 miles. Gainesville, Fl. Warm Showers Host.

14-03-13

Molasses Junction

On the road by 9:00 AM and a little sore. I needed to find a sink so I can put my contacts in. As I watched for cars in my mirror two bicyclists were approaching. After some time Rich and Rob from Philly caught up. Yes there are other crazy bikers on the southern tier bike route. They went ahead and I caught up to them at Molasses Junction. You can imagine one of those small stores along the road in the middle of once sugar cane fields. Heartbeat had just finished making his famous yellow rice and sausage. What a way to start a wonderful day?

Day 2, 54 miles. Camped Just before Florahome.

14-03-12

Cramps
Oh my. What was I thinking? Road biking is not backpacking and touring biking is not road biking. I have the mentality of backpacking with no limit as to what I can carry. Wrong! On my way to St Augustine my quads started to cramp at mile 25. I had 7 more miles to go. My legs took turns as go which hurt more. The wind was so strong on the Vilano Bridge, I had to pedal going down hill. By the time I reached Anastasia State Park I was in trouble. At last I could rest. Well there wasn’t a campsite and Jim, the gate attendant, had no sympathy as to my situation. After an apple and some water, off I went for another 7 miles to find a wonderful Camp site and much needed sleep.

Day 1, 39 miles and two Advil. Camp in woods west of St Augustine.