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 r...

 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 ...

 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” ...

 Sat Apr 30th Ride started at 8 AM   Looked like it would be light winds, Easterly and we will be headed East and South to reach our destination at Oleno State Park. It only took about 10 miles today for my legs to return to productive pedaling. Today was one of the more scenic backroad rides   Light traffic for most of the ride   The finish was approximately 10 miles on a paved trail that connected 2 state parks.  And finally we can start talking about NO rain encountered during this epic journey   Yes we had some downpours during nighttime or off days but other than a little drizzle one morning in Louisiana, I haven't gotten wet on the bike.   We can’t say the same about wind, but rain is far worse and much more dangerous. Two more rides in front of us.  Will we make it to St Augustine Beach  in dry conditions? Total  miles today were 55.4, at an average speed of 13.9 mph, climbing 820 feet and burning 1,779 calories.  A very plea...

 Friday Apr 29th Long ride today, part way through, John Corey fell on the top tube of his Carbon Fiber bike and the top tube cracked and partially shattered.  He happened to be next to an Ace Hardware so proceeded to go shopping.  Bought a few pieces of bar stock, epoxy and gorilla tape.  An hour later he has a presentable frame that rides ok.  A creative Doc thats for sure.  Rode successfully the final 30 miles and declared his repair a success. He will continue to ride this bike to St Augustine Beach on Monday   My start to the ride today was slow and legs were not happy.  The prior day riding into Tallahassee was extremely difficult for the last 15 miles.  It demonstrates the importance of an occasional rest day.  So today I would say that I wasn't feeling comfortable until 20 miles into the ride. At noon time, with 50 miles behind me, I arrived in Madison, and stopped at a Mexican Restaurant and dined outside next to my bike.  ...

 Thursday Apr 28 Last nights Campground was on a Bayou/Lake.  There were fisherman out there when I got up today at 5 AM.   We had a short stint on a Parkway that charged a fee for vehicles, but since that toll gate was unmanned it was free for bicycles.  I did keep my head down when going under that thing, so no photo of me. We are staying in a Quality Inn tonight, which just converted to a Red Roof Inn.  Each room has A/C, and a shower and toilet, amenities that we have missed for a long time.  Todays ride took a toll on most everyone, normal headwinds and dealing with several shoulder-less roads once we approached Tallahassee.  Today was probably the second most difficult ride, surpassed only by that day in Texas ending up at Seminole State Park in a dust-storm. And we are now back on Eastern Daylight Savings time. The last riders arrived as we were sitting down to dinner at 6 PM.  Mileage was 86 miles at an average speed of 13.5, climbing 2,70...

 Wed Apr 27th Yesterday evening as we walked to dinner it looked like the forecast was going to come true. And while eating inside the Park Clubhouse we had a very significant downpour but it only lasted about 20 minutes.  My tent was totally dry inside and we woke to clear skies this morning. The residents at the Park provided our dinner last night and breakfast this morning.  They underestimated food quantity last night but recovered well for breakfast.  At 7:30 we moved on towards our next destination.  Another day riding mostly on US Rt 90.  Moderate traffic and an ample smooth shoulder.  The “A” Team dealing with a flat tire.  We haven't had a lot of flats in the last few weeks.  It sure makes a difference when you aren't riding in Texas battling the Goat-heads, and also are no longer on the Interstates. Today we had variable light winds and a great road surface.  I managed 60 miles by noon as we arrived in Mariana still 8 miles fro...

 Tuesday Apr 26th George from Tucson wearing this outrageous Flamingo Jersey that his wife picked out for him.  Not happy but once worn he can now forget about it.  So speaking of bathroom facilities on this trip.  Major shutdown of the septic system at our KOA.  It was not up to accommodating the needs of 35 bikers for two days, eating twice as much as the typical Camper.  Not a good time to fail but we managed to share the facilities at the pool and departed at 7:45 AM.   This is our Good Sam campground tonight.  There are at least 6 of these identical shower facilities. Very impressive considering what we have experienced since March 12th.  You can see that I am running out of discussion topics for this blog.   No scenery shots today.  Traffic was reasonable on US Route 90 and it had a very bike-able shoulder for the entire distance today. At mile 43 we stopped for barbecue at 11 AM. Then finished the ride and got here at 1:15. ...

 Monday April 25th Slept well last night.  The temperatures have been pleasant at night, no wind and the usual birdies waking up at 4:30, chirping happily as they wake up all of us bikers.  Going no where today, cleaned bicycle hopefully for the last time this trip.  We have a comfortable well shaded campsite to spend our holiday.  KOA campsite photos. Hung out around camp today resting up for the final push to St Augustine.  

 Sunday Apr 24th We left our Condos on Dauphin Island this morning at 7 AM to catch the ferry at the other end of  the Island. Everybody made the trip timely and boarded the ferry successfully.  It was about a 35 minute trip to the mainland.  Wind as usual was in our face and there were more than a few swells that tossed the ferry around during our passage.   An excited biker, knowing that soon we would be in Florida! One of the numerous oil rigs spotted in the gulf. They must all be operational as they were brightly illuminated at night.  A tired biker in Pensacola upon realizing that it was nearly 2 PM, just eating lunch and that we still have thirty miles to ride before our next Campsite. After exiting the ferry we rode along the coast for perhaps 30-40 miles of hi rise buildings, a state park and all of the businesses that one associates with tourists/beach goers.  A lot of new construction - all multi story buildings maybe 15-20 stories tall. Gulf...

 Saturday April 23rd View of the beach from our 3rd floor Condo.  I can see 8 oil rigs not that far off the beach, have no idea if they are currently active.  Yesterday there were two helicopters hovering right above the water for over 1/2 hour.  Could see the water spray under them.  Perhaps they were Military/Coast Guard doing practice rescues.   Too far away to make out any markings, but seemed odd at 5:30 PM on a Friday.  Two Great Blue Herons this morning looking for breakfast in one of our two pools. On another topic, yesterday just after we crossed into Alabama, the first 4-5 homes all had multiple dogs waiting to run out into the road and give us the welcoming greeting.  Fred was just in front of me and was nearly caught by one of them.  She said the owner was standing in her driveway and appeared to be encouraging the dog to catch a biker.  I was attacked a minute later by a large mutt dragging an 8’ leash.  Got out my wate...

 Friday Apr 22nd Another milestone as we enter our next to last state.  And yes we still have our favorite headwind.  One of the locals said he has never seen so much wind in the spring like this day after day.  We left the park and stayed relatively close to the shore along the marshes and seagrasses.  Rode over a large bridge past the Ingalls Shipyard as we entered Pascagoula.  Not a good opportunity to stop on the bridge for photos plus the wind was quite strong on the bridge.   Lunch was at a little restaurant.  My fish was overcooked, no surprise there, overcooked fish seems to be the followed USDA standard at most restaurants. The boat on the left is probably available and could get back fishing with likely only a minor expenditure.  Riding the causeway to Dauphin Island.  There is a strong side wind, more than one Coaster expressed concern about the wind and debris along the side of the road. But apparently we all survived.  ...

 Thursday Apr 21st Sunrise at our RV Camp this morning.  They are flying a Confederate flag here, and as noticed during todays ride, quite a few more Confederate flags at homes throughout the days ride.  It was suggested to our leader that they not visit this park in the future. Plus the bathroom facilities hit a new low-point for the trip. We rode on lots of very back roads today, including this picture of an interesting small lake with a “sink hole”. It was a drain pipe to keep the lake at a constant level, but we couldn't see where the outflow was going.  This “Ranch” had a very impressive front gate which usually defines the status to the neighbors I guess.  And two of these striped horses, looked just like Zebras.  This guy came over to the fence when I called him.   To night we are camping at the Davis Bayou Gulf Island National Seashore.  Todays ride was pleasant, back Mississippi Roads with very little traffic, and of course the head wind ...

 Wednesday April 20th We are getting close to the state of Mississippi this morning. Many streams and small rivers look like this.  My Garmin keeps warning me to be aware of flooding in low lying areas. We haven't directly seen any rain so this condition must reflect weather that has already happened to the North of us, like the other night when we had some substantial rain.  Another state behind us.  Roads were still shared with the lumber trucks until late morning when we got on many lightly, traveled quiet sections. This lasted until nearly noon when we arrived in Poplarville MS.  Ride over for the day. Waiting for my Tuna Melt in Poplarville MS. I didn't get much protein for breakfast and the donut at mid morning didn't really provide enough energy for a satisfactory completion of todays ride.  I guess I have to go back to the morning oatmeal to better fuel my rides, especially the ones over 50 miles. But anyway it was a nice morning to bike, the d...

 Tuesday April 19th Ann’s excellent gumbo with Crawfish tails.   One of the people (Pat) from our ill fated 2020 C2C showed up on todays route.  Pat came back last year and finished the ride successfully. It was nice talking to her for a few minutes. A perfect sunny and not too hot day, only reaching the mid 70’s.  We rode 86.8 miles, at an average speed of 13.2, thanks head wind, climbed 2,636 feet and burned 3,429 calories.  And are staying in a Baptist Church tonight.  Downside is no alcohol allowed on church property.  But we had  4 showers and 3 thrones available.  Sleeping in the gymnasium too, tents still wet from last nights heavy dew. 

 Monday April 18th Well sometimes a photo does show up as requested. That is the Mississippi River bridge in the background. After showering and changing clothes each day we check the next days forecast.  It looks promising going forward but storms tonight?  Ann our Chef served us Ham, Scalloped Potatoes, Green Beans and Salad for our Easter dinner. Cherry pie for dessert. I crawled into my tent at 8 PM, closed my eyes and about half an hour later was awakened by an impressive rain storm complete with thunder and lightning.  Fortunately my tent didn't leak or float away.  The same couldn't be said about a few of the other Coasters who suffered wet sleeping bags and gear.   But by morning all was dry and sunny, glad to have escaped that storm while riding. 

Easter Sunday April 17th Camp site at Girl Scout Camp, St Francisville LA The Mississippi River The weather forecast for today is just the same as it has been for the past several days.  40-50% chance of showers and thundershowers in the afternoon.  But as we started out it was just quiet and overcast. Traffic was as expected on an Easter morning, not much happening other than the occasional smell of barbecue/smokers preparing for Easter Dinner.  A long ride today 90+ miles and we were released to ride at 7 AM.  The morning went quickly, very few stops or breaks.  I rode much of the day with Brian, a similarly paced rider and Lawyer who still has a day job and manages to get in a few billing hours daily after we reach our destination. We crossed the Atchafalaya River around mid morning.   A few dogs were interested in giving chase but never caught us. Lunch was a PB & J sandwich that I made at breakfast and stuffed in my jersey pocket. We didn't expect ...