NASD2SA2022

 Thursday May 12th The ride was truly a total success.  Only 2 flat tires, one  occurring the 2nd day in California, in front due to a stone sliver in the sidewall and the other was a piece of exploded truck tire wire in the rear on day 4 thanks to a long ride on the shoulder of I-8 on the way to Dateland AZ.   And I did require a rebuild of the freewheel hub in Kerrville TX, no fault of the bike, just a maintenance issue.  So my 12 year old Custom made Titanium Independent Fabrication Cyclo Cross bike performed flawlessly.  My French leather bicycle seat was very comfortable.  No complaints from my body while on the bike other than a restless feeling whenever the riding days went later than around 1:30 PM.  You can sit and pedal just so long every day. And having NO rain days almost made you forget that nearly constant head wind.  Our ride directions were provided by my Garmin GPS which was spot on for the entire route with just a few turn requests that didn't “fit” our route, and

 Monday May 2nd Sunrise in Palatka.  Woke up normal time, scheduled departure to St Augustine Beach is 9 AM.  We gathered in Old St Augustine for a lunch stop and waiting for our new jerseys to arrive via Fedx. I think Barb cut it a little close on our jersey delivery. Finally the package arrives. This is Barb, owner of Timberline, opening and distributing our jerseys.   The remainder of Coasters arriving for lunch.  We left “mostly” at the same time to go over the bridge to St Augustine Beach for photo sessions. Our group of Eight 2020 Covid Coasters, finally succeeding.   On the way to the beach, I was met by Martha who had driven up yesterday from our winter place in Estero FL. Yes, I got my front wheel wet in the Atlantic Ocean. The final salute.  Todays ride was 37 miles at an average speed of 14.5 mph, climbing 210 feet and burning 2,100 calories.  What a trip it has been from March 12th dipping our rear wheels into the Pacific Ocean in San Diego  until today May 2nd at the Atlan

 Sunday May 1st Ann served tomato pie along with other entrees at our overnight in Tallahassee. They were good, it was sad to see her leave the tour that night.   I went to The Waffle House the next morning for breakfast.  Our “casual” tour provided breakfasts just didn't make the cut when you are faced with a long day in the saddle.  I didn't take any photos in Oleno State Park   It was a well shaded facility, but once again we are camping in some primitive spots with apparently a lot of ticks and Lyme Disease is endemic in Florida   Don't need that disease again!   So today we have our last significant ride, an 80 miler to take us close to the coast for our finish on Monday.  Quite a bit of apprehension among many of the Coasters.  A week without a break in riding starts showing up in our legs.  And its really the first time (leaving Tallahassee)  that I have had leg soreness for the first 10-20 miles of each ride.   The “A” team has more tire problems today   Its a good