Author: Deb

We were delighted to see a stellar sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean before we started our ride. What a way to start the day. 🌅

Miami was on our to-do list today. As such, we scheduled a shorter ride and allowed almost a whole day to get through her.

Miami is a magnificent city. Neither of us had been there during the day and approaching the city on a bicycle and then riding through gives one an up close view however it’s not for the faint-hearted. The city is clean, modern, diverse and very busy.

Bike lanes are scant, the sidewalks are full of pedestrians and although legally bikes are permitted to use the full right lane, we weren’t about to test that city ordinance. First we tackled the city of Miami Beach then crossed the causeway to take on the big mama. She is gorgeous, but again it’s traffic mayhem for cyclists. Lots of honking, not at us but cars at each other. And scooters galore!

In fact coming off the causeway we saw a cyclist down (a roadie) being attended to by EMTs. It looked like he tried to come down too fast, hit a curb and did a face plant. Ouch!

Having put those cities in our rear view mirrors we celebrated with sammiches for lunch.

Our post lunch ride was stop and go almost all afternoon even though much of it was on a “bike trail.” Those are supposed to be air quotes. 🤣 Someday it will be magnificent but it’s just not ready for prime time yet. Still, in most aspects it kept us away from traffic; it was just hard to get any momentum going.

The highlight of the day was meeting our buddy Finn at our Florida City campsite. He’d just finished his open water diving certification in Key Largo and took an extra day to meet us. His timing could not have been better (and it’s difficult to coordinate rendezs on bike tours).

Bar B Que, bevvies and some bantering back and forth made the evening go too quickly. See you in Indy, Finn!

Tomorrow we officially say hello to the Florida Keys… on bicycles. 🚴🏼‍♂️🚴🏼‍♀️

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#SD2KW, Day 61, Juno Beach to Hollywood, 67 Miles | All About A1A

Today was all about navigating through several beach cities on A1A. And let’s just say it’s getting harder and harder for Tom to find gas station foil-wrapped cheeseburger sammiches in cities like West Palm Beach.🤣

Tom amazes me going though these towns safely guiding us through traffic, calling road hazards, staying on route, etc. It’s totally different riding here in south Florida along the coast. It’s gorgeous but overwhelming to the senses.

Tonight we landed in Hollywood, at a beachfront Marriott property (thanks again Anne) and right on the boardwalk. There’s so many shenanigators and always something to see (but not take a picture of). 😳

Tomorrow we ride through Miami and beyond that, the Keys and maybe a little quieter vibe. In all things… giving thanks. 1 Thes 5:18 ❤️

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#SD2KW, Day 60, Vero Beach to Juno Beach, 77 Miles | Mother Mother Ocean

Today’s nearly constant companion was the Atlantic Ocean. We hugged her coastline most all day and when weaned away we found ourselves crossing bridges and causeways over the Indian and St. Lucie Rivers.

We have truly come full circle from the below freezing temps at high elevation in the Sonoran desert over 3,000 miles ago to the warm world of water here in Florida.

At times it was hard to stay on the bike. As the day went on it got sunnier and she kept coaxing us away from the road to the beach.

As we have less than a week of riding we’ve started rehashing our journey and thinking about our next one. We know one thing, we’re going to look at replacing the mountain bike tires on our Cutthroats with some thinner tires (still tubeless) for over-the-road bike travel. Rolling mountain bike tires over 3,400 miles of nearly all pavement has probably been a little harder than it could have been on thinner tires. 🤣

Post ride we rinsed bike shorts, charged devices and showered. Since Tom already did his brewery recon we headed strait to Storm House Brewing where we met locals Elise and Jessica.

They were fun to chat with and made us giggle when before we placed our food order they asked us, “So are you going out tonight?” 🤣🤣🤣 We looked at each other and then at these cute young ladies (one in her 30’s and one in her 40’s) and said we ARE out and after we eat we’re going to bed. Just call us grandma and gramps. #oldgeezers

The ACA route has taken us riding on interstates, through four state capitals and too many tiny towns to count. Some of the roads have been in poor condition and through what many would call rough neighborhoods and other roads have led us down pristine paved paths amongst the enormously wealthy. Today was one of those days.

We knew we were “on to something” by taking note of the driveway materials, the impeccable landscaping and the fact the homes were not visible from the street and most were beach front. Jupiter Island is considered one of the most prestigious places to live in the United States. We didn’t know this at the time but at some point along the nine mile route on the island we passed Tiger Woods’ house.

Tent spots are hard to find these days so it looks like we won’t be breaking out the tent for a couple more nights. Not mad about the indoor flushers at night and fluffy towels. And it won’t be long before we are surrounded by Mother Ocean and tenting again.

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#SD2KW, Day 59, Titusville to Vero Beach, 71 Miles | Gloom and Vroom

It might have been one of the gloomiest days on our bike tour but the easiest 70 miler we’ve ridden. I mean we’re almost to Havana!

It’s Sunday and although last week the abrupt two hour time difference threw our brains a curve ball, this week we were on it and cruised right into Blessed Sacrament Church for 8:30 Mass (seated near the back row of course). #WhatCatholicsDo

What we witnessed next was the most raucous battle between a bald eagle and osprey you can imagine over a stolen fish while a blue heron took a front perch, squawking and and “egging” them on. I tried to get pics and vids and a few are included in the vid but it didn’t nearly capture the dog fight, errr I mean the bird fight between the two. Nature is the best when we take the time to watch and listen.

Yes it was gloomy today but still a righteous day to be on a bicycle especially with our friend the wind tapping us on the back shoulder instead of slapping us in the face.🤣 #vroom

We’re grateful to be making steady and safe southbound progress down A1A but admittedly, it’s getting harder to stop and take pics instead of just relishing in the last week of our ride. And mostly because the pics we take never do the experience justice. So just do your best and use your imagination. 💭

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#SD2KW, Day 58, Port Orange to Titusville, 54 Miles | Things That…

From Tom:

Things that make me smile: As we were cycling on US 1 today between Daytona and New Smyrna, I got to thinking about our family vacations as a kid. Our family always went to Daytona Beach for vacation in August for ten days or so. Mom and Dad piled us into the Ford Station Wagon, Mom and Dad in front, my two sisters in the middle and my brother and I in the flip-up seats in back. We stayed in the same motel every year; La Hacienda. My Dad who had just picked up golf decided to play on a course in New Smyrna Beach and asked us to play. I am guessing I was maybe 9 years old.

We got up early in the dark and drove on US 1 to New Smyrna, the same road I was riding on today. Who would have thought some 50 years later I would be cycling here today? I am sure Dad was up in heaven smiling down on us today. And yes that was the beginning of my love to play golf.

Things that make me chuckle: Deb and I were coming off a trail near Gainesville a couple days ago and rolling into a gas station to grab a snack. We saw a man with his bike in the back of his pickup and he had an air hose in hand. He reached over the edge to pump up the tire and kaboom goes the tire!

I’m sure he was looking forward to riding his bike on the trail. I watched him throw the hose down, jump in his truck and immediately drive to the liquor store down the street. Nothing better than having a well deserved ice cold beer after a good ride, but sometimes that ice cold one will help with the frustration of not being able to have that ride. Lesson learned, do not use an air hose to pump up your bike tires that is designed for your car tires.

Things that make me grateful: With rain coming in this evening we were looking for a motel 50 or more miles down the road. I found what looked like a great place just south of Titusville and called to check on availability for one night. The young lady laughed at me since it’s spring break and there was a launch tonight. She said they were booked solid. She said everything is booked in this area.

I found another motel in the area with subpar google reviews but gave them a call anyway. A grumpy man answered with a gravelly voice “what?”. He said he has plenty of room. “There’s no one here since it is only March. Who would come here. It’ll cost ya $139 a night. No reservation needed.” Yes, we have stayed in some places during our trip that you just need a shower and bed. But tonight we were in need of a good bed, shower, and laundry. So our daughter set us up with a Marriott property near the Kennedy Space Center and it was perfect, but we kinda wish we were here last night to see the launch.

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#SD2KW, Day 57, St. Augustine to Port Orange, 58 Miles | Good Vibes

When we took off this morning we felt like we were starting a whole new ride. And we were! We got an early start to beat the spring break traffic and our efforts paid off.

Just before Palm Coast we met a local named Brian who took us on a quick trail ride out to an inter coastal. It was SO nice to be off road.

It’s St. Patrick’s Day and we were hungry as heck. Our friend Cathy C. gave us an excellent suggestion for lunch along Flagler Beach and lemme tell ya, Cathy was spot on. Flounder sammich and beach vibes. 💯

We didn’t plan it but this word behind us says it all. And I constantly want to check the map… because the let’s just say the old horse is smelling the barn. 😂

Just before Daytona Beach a local flagged us down and asked if he could take our pic. He also advised us there was a St. Patrick’s Day festival happening in Daytona. It took all our power not to stop and participate.

We scored a bare bones campsite in Port Orange and giggled at our neibs light source (a table lamp) God bless their big hearts they are out here enjoying the great outdoors just like us!

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

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.

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#SD2KW, Day 55, Alachua to Palatka, 80 Miles | All Good Things

Our last full day on the Southern Tier Bike Route treated us to miles and miles of stunning bike trails. However first, there were donuts to enjoy. We waited until it got light at the breakfast bar in Dunkin’ and watched the spring breakers roll in, eager to start their vacation. That brought back so many great memories for us.

Today WAS all about the bike trails though, both the Gainesville to Hawthorn Trail and the Palatka Lake Butler State Trail. Soooo nice!

We even met a bike riding Macaw named Up Up.

But all good things must come to an end, apple fritters, bike trails and for us, the Southern Tier route which we will finish tomorrow with an easy cruise into St. Augustine. That’s the plan anyway and we know anything could happen as it often does when bike traveling.

When we reach the Atlantic Ocean tomorrow on St. Augustine Beach we adjust our sails from heading east and begin heading south. The journey continues!

We are giving so much thanks for the people, places and time together we have shared so far.

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#SD2KW, Day 54, Suwannee River State Park to Alachua, 78 Miles | Near Perfect