Day 59 - April 24, 2010 - Coast to Coast

TOTAL MILES BIKED: 2,968.5

From the Support staff: My bikers talk about the scenery, the miles, the winds and the mountains but what has amazed me is the Captains planning and organization and the Stokers boundless energy and endurance. One would think that it was simply a feat of endurance...but in fact, from duplicate copies of our route, to the nightly planning for miles to attempt and where to find a convenient campground, the Captain has missed nothing to make this trip go smoothly. The stoker gets breakfast each morning, packs a lunch, rides all day, vacuums when she comes in the trailer at night, makes recovery drinks, appetizers, wine and dinner does dishes, loads pictures and blogs and gets a shower in there somewhere. No matter how sore their bums or legs or how hot, neither complains or whines. In their own ways--they are truly amazing. Also amazing is that 3 people and two canines can live in 6 square feet of floor space for almost three months and survive the experience. The support teams contribution has been the opportunity to help someones dream come true...a rare opportunity for anyone...and one I know will someday be "payed forward".

From the Captain:

Something we forgot from last night was the birds. Seems the fellow that owns the campground also collects macaws. It was the first time I had ever seen them.....what beautiful birds. I understand they are worth quite a bit of money and he must have had14 to 20 pairs.

Knowing we had to put in over 70 miles today, and that there was a chance of rain, we got up at 6:00am. The first part of the ride, entering Gainsville (home to U. of Florida) was surprisingly hilly. The city, like Gainsville (home to Florida St.) is a very bike friendly city. It was Sat. morning and things were rolling along nicely. At about 20 miles we picked up a beautiful bike path from Gainsville to Hawthorn (16 miles). It was curvy, hilly, passed over streams and supplied a canopy of shade for a hot day. It also blocked the wind which was starting to build.

There were many times while we were riding thru the southeast that I thought about what I would do if a snake was in the grass next to the route and we had seen many dead ones on the road. Well we were riding down this nice trail and a biker passed us and startled a snake right in the middle of the trail. By the time I saw it we were on top of it and it was raised in the strike position! I don't know who was more startled, him or me. I couldn't react and it never did anything. Annette never saw it. The afternoon brought heat and a head wind and the last 20 miles became very gruelling. We did the last 8 miles in 45 minutes and were particularly glad to load the bike up after doing 72.5 miles.

From the Stoker: Hip, Hip, Hooray!!! Tomorrow is almost here.