Day 52- The Finish: Palatka to St Augustine Beach, FL

Saturday, February  20, 2016- 40 miles

Wow, this is it! The start was cool and damp and began with a bridge crossing using a well protected and separated bike path over the St John's River and then onto newly paved paths that paralleled another busy highway. Bill P joined me East of the bridge and we rode out together for about 10 miles. Bill turned back to retrieve his car and provide valuable scouting support. I continued on the path until it came to an abrupt end and forced me to cross the highway and use the shoulder beside speeding traffic. Respite came quickly after two quick stops to confirm with locals that I was headed in the right direction. Thanks to Bubba the route turned out onto quiet rural lanes and ended up at historic St Ambrose Catholic Church. Here are just a few pictures:






































Bill phoned while I was enjoying the setting and confirmed where we were to meet along FL-207. As I departed I came upon an organized and supported group of 100+/- colorful cyclists out for a Saturday ride in the country. Lots of greetings and good cheer. I found Bill after coming across a motor cycle event and using another link in the bicycle path. Bill pointed down the path and mentioned that I would be turning soon to remain on Bubba's route. Unfortunately I misunderstood the instructions, passed the turn and ended up at a dead-end confronting active railroad tracks. Never wanting to turn back, I proceeded by walking my bike ahead about 100 yards to a dirt path leading to a driveway. That led me back out to FL-207. No problem. I just proceeded and after a quick check on the iPhone map found a direct route to St Augustine Beach, of course, after a stop for iced coffee and a bear claw at a Panera. The chosen route resulted in a miss of downtown St Augustine and a ride over the Bridge of Lions but after another phone call Bill and I agreed to meet at the designated Hampton Inn end point.

And onto the beach for a few commemorative pictures followed by a celebratory lunch before driving back to Atlanta in 6 hours. 800 miles of driving for 200 miles of cycling in 4 days.

The journey could not have been accomplished without encouragement and support from so many friends and family. Nan kept reminding me of this ambition and came along last year. Sam, David, Phill, Vern and the Chain Gang and Charlie, Johnny and the King Biking Group accompanied me on multiple training rides. Bill P was there this year with scouting reports and the confidence that I could complete the journey. And, of course, I cannot say enough good things about Bubba; the Wolfpack that did all the heavy lifting; Anne and Serge who fed us so well; Ed, Joyce, Greg, Gary, Happy Hans, Larry, Chandler, Gayle and Roger who were there with good words, shade, support and snacks along the way; and most especially Rose, John, Hargy, Stretch, Jim and all the 2014 riders who became lifelong friends and companions along a remarkable bicycle odyssey. 

Thanks is not enough to express my appreciation for all that everyone gave so that the journey could be completed.

Day 51- High Springs to Palatka, FL

Friday, February 19, 2016- 80 miles
(Note: Bubba's C2C itinerary includes a rest stop on Day 50. With just three days of riding we chose not to spend an extra day in High Springs.)

The Diner, featured in Trip Advisor and across the street from the High Springs Inn. was surprisingly not open for breakfast so we had to make do with biscuits at the local Hardees. Really not so bad.


Today's route started South on US 441 and with warmer temperatures in the high 40's the ride was pleasing as it passed through rural ranches before heading East past Bubba's home (the one, I presume, with the oversized garage doors to accommodate RV's).The route also passed under a strikingly beautiful allee of live oaks before going over I-75 and proceeding via a bike lane into Gainesville. Again, Bill P drove ahead, scouting out the route before getting his bike out for a ride heading West. He found our favorite stopping point, a Starbucks, for coffee and a nearby Wells Fargo ATM for some much needed cash.

The passage through Gainesville could not have been more accommodating for bicycles. First, we were on well marked bike lanes on a road North of downtown and then a connection to a 16.5 mile trail heading East to Hamilton, where we stopped for a lunch of BBQ.

There was still a good 30 miles left to Palatka along an extremely busy highway, FL 20. The shoulder was a designated bike lane but the posted speed limit was 65 mph. There were a lot of cars and trucks going past at a much higher and uncomfortable speed. It all finally came to an end upon reaching our hotel, a Holiday Inn Express, for the night. We did enjoy a delightful seafood dinner overlooking the St John's River, as a reward for the longest of the three days of cycling.

Day 49- Madison to High Springs, FL

Thursday,  February 18, 2016- 78  miles

So, what made me think I could just hop on a bicycle and pedal all day? Well, I had been riding regularly without any major difficulties, but these were short 20-40 mile rides mostly in-town and short in duration.

Bill P and I departed after a quick motel buffet breakfast. Chilly in the high 30's. We scouted a route on Bandit Rd which was dirt and made its way to a County road up to Lee and US 90. Bill was kind enough to drive along and protect me from any marauding dogs. None seen or heard. Bill drove ahead to Live Oak, parked and rode back towards me. On the way I crossed over the Suwanee River and of course, hummed the Stephen Foster tune, Way down upon...

We returned to the Dixie Grill for a second breakfast. I rode East, again along US 90. after shedding jacket and pants. The temperature was a delightful 60+/- with sun shining. I passed by Camp Weed, an Episcopal Church camp, where Chandler led a week long Road Scholar biking program that I attended a few years ago and first heard of Bubba and his amazing pampered pedalers. 

At about the midway point I headed South. Bill drove ahead and alerted me that there were no viable places to stop for food or drinks until reaching a canoe rental store near the Ichetucknee State Park. I finally reached that destination after battling head winds whenever I turned East. I did see one amazing site along the way:

Bill again, scouted the route ahead and rode back on his bike. He led me along a trail to and through another State Park and out to US 41, the same highway that passes nearby (Northside Dr) my home in Atlanta. Bill picked up his car and proceeded into High Springs where we  spent the night in a cosy little motel. We went out to a pleasant dinner that I recall included fresh strawberries that had been harvested locally among other ingredients in a large salad,.

Remember the opening comments about preparation? At this point every joint and limb in my body was screaming, "What have you done?" I slept restlessly as I could not find a comfortable position. Nevertheless I woke up surprisingly refreshed and without significant pain. On we go...

Third Time a Charm

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Last year Bill P organized a few riders from the Atlanta based King Biking Group to travel down to Florida to meet Judy, a 2015 Coaster, and me as we completed the Coast2Coast ride. They rode their bicycles South from Amelia Island on the Georgia border to St Augustine. As you may recall my ride was interrupted again. Bill immediately offered to help me finish up the last three days of riding. His hip replacement surgery in November and my commitments delayed the trip. We vowed, however, to find at least three days of clear and relatively warm (60+) weather and we would set out.

We watched weather forecasts and finally saw four consecutive days of ideal conditions in North Florida last week. We left Atlanta after breakfast and made the  250 mile drive to Madison in about 4 hours. We did not see much of Madison as we drove past the quaint downtown and out to a motel on I-10. We decided to drive over to Live Oak for dinner at the Dixie Grill, which I knew had most adequately catered a Bike Florida event in early April 2015. Did not disappoint.