Day 6 - January 18, 2019

January 18, 2019

Today was the last day of riding the Space Coast Tour. I cannot recommend this tour strongly enough for anyone looking for a vacation of fantastic food with a little bit of riding thrown in (so you don’t feel quite as guilty eating all this fabulous food). We have been to Italian, Spanish, French, seafood, steak restaurants with a little of everything else in between (pheasant, quail, duck, etc) added in.

I rode about 32 miles today and averaged about 12.2 mph – going faster with the wind and slower against the wind. The scenery along the Indian River was beautiful. There were gorgeous houses that we all dreamed about living in (there were a few for sale signs, not that I could afford one). I shared more than a dozen photos on Facebook for those who don’t know this blog exists.

We stopped in Cocoa today for lunch and it was a pleasant surprise to order a chai latte! I also finally split a lunch – I did it often on the Coast to Coast tour. I shared a grilled vegetable flatbread sandwich with Ellen. I wish I could replicate these sandwiches at home.

Julia and I detoured to find the Cocoa, FL post office and took the requisite photo. There are so many nice, friendly people on Bubba tours. If you have ever thought about a bike tour, give Bubba’s tour company a try.

John S. from Coast to Coast enjoying the ride.

One of the last examples of Queen Anne architecture in the area. The original owner of this house was the first Postmaster of the city of Rockledge, Fl (during the late 1870’s).

Semone slowing down for a few minutes to chat.

The sea gulls seemed to prefer some docks more than others.

We have seen several boats abandoned in different waterways.

Lunch was at the Ossoria today - great Chai Latte and sandwich today.

Day 5 - January 17, 2019 (Rest Day)

January 17, 2019

I have to backtrack to last night to include photos from dinner because it was a fun evening. Great Spanish food and Flamenco dancers.

Today was a rest day, which for me meant a walk along the beach and another boat ride. This ride was on the Indian River Lagoon. We saw dolphins, osprey and other birds along the shoreline. About 15 of the group chose this option, with the other 35 riders choosing to tour the Kennedy Space Center.

Coast to Coasters from across the years.

Flamenco dancers at a local Spanish restaurant called El Bodegon.

Traditional Spanish paella - this dish served many of our dinner party. This dish was seafood and meat. I chose the vegetarian option and it was absolutely delicious. The restaurant also had great Sangria!

I managed to capture one shot of the dolphins near our boat - they were just too quick for me!

Day 4 - January 16, 2019

January 16, 2019

Today was the third day of riding, and it was a short one for mileage. We rode 22.5 miles and averaged about 11.4mph. All but three miles of that was into a north headwind of 14mph. Today was supposed to be warmer than yesterday, however with a higher wind speed and cloud cover, it was downright chilly. It has been a good ride to go slow against the wind and just enjoy life.

What we lacked in mileage, we made up for in organized activities that are part of this tour. We went on a tour of the Desert Ranches which are owned by Farmland Reserve, Inc which is an affiliate of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It covers 290,000 acres of land with 64,000 cows and 1,300 bulls. The cattle are eventually sold to Cargill. Several volunteer missionaries gave the tours. describing to us the massive amount of work it takes to run such a large operation. It is the second largest cattle operation in the country. There is also a citrus grove of 1,000 acres.

After the tour we rode our bikes to our lunch stop and an air-boat ride on the St. John’s river. Our boat captain took us to an area where we saw several smaller alligators. As we rode, we saw dozens of blue herons along the shoreline.

We rode to the Deseret Cattle Ranch for a tour - to get there we had to go past several barricades because of bridges that need work for car traffic.

We saw this tree that was blown over in a hurricane, but continues to live. Our guide said that it was a lesson in life that “if you have deep roots, you can overcome ‘hurricanes’ that occur during your own life.” Great food for thought.

A mounted snake skin; the snake was killed locally on December 23, 1988.

We rode about seven miles on one road today that didn’t have a shoulder. Not too much traffic, but it was a little unnerving with no shoulder.

Julia crossing over the St. John’s River.

2018 Coasters: Papow (Chris), Margaret and Al.

Day 3 - January 15, 2019

January 15, 2019

I’m going to go back and post a few photos from last night’s dinner. The serving size was way too much - but it was all good and it didn’t keep me from sharing a dessert.

Today’s ride started out cooler than yesterday and I started with an added layer of leg warmers. No layers came off today as the wind was strong and in our face the whole day (about 10 mph steady with much stronger gusts). We rode on a paved trail almost the entire day. Where the ride was smooth, there wasn’t a lot of scenery along the way. That is except for a detour to the White Sands Buddhist Center…and yes, it was Semone’s idea to detour again. It was worth it! We may have been the only riders to venture into the woods to find it.

Julia officially dumped me today before our first SAG stop in favor of riding with Adrian’s wife Donna. She was pretty clear that she was looking for a little slower pace and I was free to fight the wind all day with two riders stronger than me - those being Adrian and Semone. Yesterday the Trek Dual Sport came in handy on gravel/sand roads. Today, those knobby, fat tires tired me even more than the wind was doing for its part. We rode about 30 miles again today (30.71 to be exact). My average was a little higher at 12.6, but with that wind and those knobby tires, I feel like I just did about 60 miles at a higher pace.

I managed to get an official post office photo in for this trip. Looking forward to our rider meeting tonight to find out what tomorrow’s adventure will be.

A few familiar faces from C2C at last night’s dinner

The start of today’s ride: Julia, me and Semone.

Donna and Adrian riding - before Julia and Donna conspired to drop the rest of us and pedal with one another.

Semone and Adrian shielding me from the wind.

My official post office photo of the day.

Day 2 - January 14, 2019

January 14, 2019

The first day of riding on the Space Coast Tour. This is what you call a vacation type of ride: about 30 miles on paved roads, trails and gravel roads. So glad that I didn’t bring a road bike for this ride. I am using a Trek Dual Sport and it works so great on those bumpy, gravel roads. The day started out overcast and cool and ended sunny and cool. We rode about 30 miles (29.62 to be exact) with a nice comfortable 11.4 mph. On the hard surface road we were closer to 14 mph, however the gravel roads with all the holes and bumps made for slow going. My friend from Coast to Coast, Semone, road with Julia and I today. Unfortunately, he got a flat on his rental bike a 1/2 mile into the 12 mile loop of the Canaveral National Seashore Area. Needless the say, not having his own supplies made the tube change a little slower. At least two other people that we know of got flats on that same road (including Papow from C2C). Julia did great on the ride today - and I’m saying that because this was her first ride in about four years. Due to the cooler temps, we didn’t see as much wildlife as we would have normally. A few riders did get a photo of a very large gator. l’ll find out tomorrow’s adventure at dinner tonight when we get tomorrow’s cue sheets. As if I haven’t said this enough, riding a bike is a great way to see the country.

Unloading the bikes to start off today’s ride. Note the clouds in the background.

Along our first “detour” road of the ride….it was Semone’s idea.

Along the National Seashore area, just before the dreaded flat.

Most of today’s ride was completely determined on Saturday due to the government shutdown. It was not the route that Bubba had planned.

Notice that the clouds are finally breaking up!

Getting ready to “scale” the highest elevation gain of this ride :-)

And she clears the peak of Summit Bridge!

Day 1 - January 13, 2019

January 13, 2019

Day One complete: drive across the state, check-in, lunch, rider meeting and then Italian dinner at Brano’s. Tomorrow is the start of cycling.

A whole new meeting to traveling with your pet on your bike.