Day 6

Knowing that we had a longer day today, we started early at 7am.  Unfortunately, our rooms didn’t have coffee (clean, but seedy hotel) so we stopped about five miles down the road at a Dunkin Donuts.  It wasn’t too far into the ride when Ray decided that all of the rest of us were going off course.  We were not.  Ray had the wrong route loaded.  To be fair, it had been an option, although not the one we were using.  Shortly after that, Sue got the only flat of the ride.  Now we were two hours into our ride and had only traveled 11 miles.  Hmmm.  We were starting to take bets on how long it would take for the whole day.  We stopped for lunch in Bushnell again.  Then, we started our battle against the wind.  It was from the WSW at 12 mph with gusts of 25mph.  Those gusts could knock you over.  We stopped several times along the road during the last 15 miles to rest because in addition to the wind, we had some hills to traverse as well.  Several of the group suggested these 15 miles stretch would be good practice for the Northern Tier.  We finally ended the ride at my house and celebrated with a toast of champaign, pizza and an early surprise birthday cake for Sue. Great ride, great friends!! Epilogue: I was just off ten minutes in when I guessed what time we would end today. I guessed 4pm. We ended at 4:10pm.

Early start. That is the moon, not the sun, above the trees.

Photo courtesy of Ray. Notice the moon is still visible.

The sun rays didn’t show up as much as they did live.

Sue, as we waited for Ray,

More of the tradition.

While the wind was still a crosswind and not a tailwind. Linda, Ray and Sue closest to me.

When we made it to the Withlacoochee Trail and made a stop, we saw this passenger set up. As soon as the dog got out of the trailer, he wanted his goggles off.

Sue, during one of our many stops the last 15 miles. It is kind of hard to express how hot, windy and hilly this last stretch was when we were all tired.

Toasting to a great 6 days. Our SAG driver (Rod) and our GPS file maker (Owen), joined in the toast!

Ray and Glen relaxing on my lanai.

Early surprise birthday cake for Sue who will turn 82 in a few weeks.

One last farewell (for now) pose.

Dunkin Donuts for coffee!

Day 5

Today was a little shorter ride than our day 2 ride, so we started a little later. It did get pretty warm near the end of the ride. We stopped along the Seminole Wekiva trail and took more photos of the artwork. You need to walk that part of the trail to see them all. We stopped in Winter Garden for lunch at a grille that had 99 different beers and I chose a black cherry cider. Crisp and cool. Because today was a Saturday, the trail was heavily used. Don’t plan to speed through these trails with so much foot and bike traffic. When you are with good friends, it is all about the journey.

Start of the day.

More artwork from Seminole Wekiva trail.

Ray and Sue.

You don’t see many of these signs in Florida.

Sue checking out the lunch menu at the Mooncricket Grille.

Sue, Janet, Ray and Linda.

Linda and Ray with Janet and Sue a little further up.

Ray relaxing as we all wait to check in.

Dinner at Calabria Italian Restaurant. Baked Ziti with sausage was delicious.

I decided something a little stronger than wine was needed.

Day 4

Today was the same route as yesterday, just in reverse. We were hoping that meant a tailwind, but it was more of a crosswind. But still better than a headwind. We had breakfast at Waffle House before we started riding. We had lunch at the same place as yesterday. At one short stop, and Bald Eagle flew overhead. I was not quick enough to get its picture; good luck for our ride. By the end of the ride, it was miserably hot as the last eight miles included numerous crossroads (and long traffic lights).

Today’s breakfast stop before we started riding.

Sunrise

Just a little foggy this morning. Janet, Sue and Fred.

Ray captured this unique “pose.” Diet Coke in Linda’s hand and a container of Sanders chocolate between Lunda and Sue!

Day 3

Today we biked from Lake Mary to Titusville. The morning started out with perfect temperatures around 68 degrees. By the end of the ride it was 84 with a feels like 90 degrees and a SE wind of 14 mph with gusts up to 23 mph. By the end of the 58 mile ride, I was pretty darn tired. We were still smiling when it was all done. At about our 8th mile into the ride, Joe V from Coast to Coast 2018 joined us and rode his recumbent to Titusville where his wife picked him up to head back to their home north of here. It is always great to have even more Coasters along for the ride. We had an early lunch in Osteen at the Osteen Diner. It was the last place to get food before a long stretch on the trail. It was recommended by Joe and it really hit the spot. The trail today was so tropical in a good long section, however, there was also a stretch with pure sun and no shade. During the last 20 miles, the only place to get water was from Vergie’s “Feed Station” at the Maytown Spur. Snacks, water and Gatorade that you paid for on the honor system. Thank you Vergie!! The ice cold water was amazing!! Rather than go out for dinner, we ordered in pizza to the hotel and had a few drinks on the screened patio by the pool.

Start of the day in Lake Mary.

The first bridge we crossed today.

Same bridge as previous photo.

Trailhead near where we met up with Joe.

The Green Spring with a baby gator.

Traveling along the trail today.

Joe V joined us for about 50 miles today.

Seven Coaster from C2C 2018.

Linda and Sue near the end of the ride.

Day 2

What I failed to mention yesterday was that two riders, Linda and Fred, are self-contained. The hills yesterday were more of a challenge with their packs on the back of their bikes. Today was less miles, about 40, so we took our time and enjoyed the trails. Our first stop was in Winter Garden at Rosalie’s where we had coffee and the largest almond raspberry croissant I have ever eaten - and it was delicious!! We were on the South Lake Trail, the Hancock Trail, the West Orange Trail and the Seminole Wekiva Trail. These are some awesome trails in mid-Florida. We had lunch across the street from our hotel and will head to the Stonewood Grill & Tavern for dinner.

Laundry day. We limited our luggage so we will be reusing kits. This is just a few of the items now hanging up to dry.

Day 1 Florida Coast to Coast

It has been almost a year since I’ve biked more than 50 miles in a day, and I am tired with 69 miles today. I am not able to get photos from my phone to computer, so it is a new experience using my phone. We started at my house and biked to Clermont this first day. Today we mostly biked on roads, however, tomorrow will be mostly a trail ride. Yeah!!! We stopped three miles short of our hotel at Lilly’s on the Lake for a few “drinks” and dinner. In Clermont. Hopefully if we do this again, we can get a few more Coasters to join us.

We wait for Ray every once in a while.

Florida phlox in bloom.

In Bushnell near where we had lunch.

A tradition.

Blue bottle is hydtration on the bike, and the other is a stop near the end of the ride (cherry-key lime cider).

I wasn’t the only person tired after 66 miles…

Pre-Ride

It’s been a busy day: charging devices, packing spare tubes, trying to remember how to make a new blog section…Map for the first day.