#SD2KW, Day 56, Palatka to St. Augustine, 32 Miles | Southern Tier Complete

Riding Stats

Accommodations

Route Tracker

We made it! And what a lovely morning it was for the easy cruise into St. Augustine. We’re both beyond grateful to have completed this first (and longest) leg of our bike trip. Whew! Did we really peddle all that way?

Coast to coast, 3,144 miles… that’s a lot of peddle strokes.😂

Although the official Southern Tier bike route ends in the city of St. Augustine, we crossed the bridge to get to St. Augustine Beach where we dipped our front tires into the Atlantic Ocean as we dipped our back tires in the Pacific Ocean 56 days ago.

From there we peddled two blocks south on A1A to Salt Life restaurant and treated ourselves to a celebratory dinner. I mean tonight was not a night for peanut butter and Nutella wraps.

We talked of the towns we cycled through, the people we met, the hills, the wind, the struggles and the accomplishments and wouldn’t change a thing… well we mighta kept that extra set of gloves and socks we sent back with Troy as a cold and storm front moves in on Sunday. 😬 Good thing we kept our puffies.

After dinner, a campfire (our first of the trip) was the perfect way to end the day. We said goodbye to Gary, a cyclist we met back in Suwannee River State Park who finished his New Orleans to St. Augustine trip today and will head north tomorrow to Jacksonville and beyond.

Tomorrow we head south along the coast just 500 miles to our Key West destination. Once back in Indy we will wrap up the entire ride, but tomorrow we continue to keep calm and peddle on.

Click on the image below to view more pics and vids:

24 thoughts on “#SD2KW, Day 56, Palatka to St. Augustine, 32 Miles | Southern Tier Complete”

  1. CONGRATULATIONS!! So excited for the awesome experience and memories you two have created together. You are such an inspiration to all who know you. Your blogs make me feel I have just ridden with you. I think a book deal is in your future. I’m looking forward to A1A. A road I have traveled for over 60 years and once lived on. Blessings on the next leg.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. We are so excited the first “leg” is complete and A1A awaits! And you lived on it? You have so many surprises Garry. Thanks for the follow!

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  2. Congrats on completing the first leg. “Only” 500 more miles. I’m looking forward to following your adventure down to Key West – that’s on my bucket list of rides.

    May the Lord keep you safe and grant you a nice tailwind.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you Deacon! I sure hope you get to do that ride someday. The last 500 will go by fast I think. There are headwinds the first couple days, a storm and then cooler temps and some tailwinds – I guess that means we get a little something of everything! And that’s the beauty of it. Thanks for the follow! 😘😘

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  3. CONGRATULATIONS! I know what an accomplishment you have made. In 2017 I did the Southern Tour in 52 days from San Diego to St Augustine. I sorta wish I was going with you the additional 500 miles down the coast. I live in Florida and would like to do that trip from Jacksonville to the end of A1 or A1A. Continue on your great adventure and maybe it will encourage me to do the same sometime.

    Barbara Myers

    P.S. By the way, I was 68 when I did the crossing. Now 74, harder to think about doing the A1A/A1 trip.

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  4. ‘JUST 500 Miles’!! I chuckled! I know it is all perspective…where you have come from to where you have to go etc! You guys are amazing and it is super fun to read about!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You are so right! Perspective and timing. 😊 That 500 is going to go quickly I think! Crossing my fingers for some tailwinds. 🤞🏻

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  5. Congratulations! I am absolutely amazed at the miles you have covered. But I am just as amazed at all your documentations, pictures, descriptions, videos. Thank you for allowing us to take the trip with you. Tish

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  6. Was today your first campfire by choice or because of restrictions? We have a campfire almost every night we are allowed to. Not many in NM but usually did elsewhere on the GD. I’m dying to hear about your trip down FL. I’m eating this stuff up.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Usually we ride in, change and get cleaned up (maybe not even a shower), eat and plan the next day. Then we go to bed because we’re tired. 😅 we have lots of fires at home and enjoy them but when bike touring… not so much. Haven’t been many fire restrictions either.

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