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Bike Across America Journal – Friday, February 20, 2015 (Day 11)

Friday, February 20, 2015 (Day 11)

Start: Daphne, Alabama

End: Hattiesburg, Mississippi

Weather: Cool, Cloudy

Miles: 107+

I was able to knock out some miles today. Even had a tailwind for some of the ride. I did not leave the motel until just before 10am CST. I crossed under Interstate 10, and then I began flying down Highway 98. I felt like an animal at some parts during the ride today. The power was just there. I was never not able to pull 90 rpm, even going uphill. A first for this trip. Usually I stand to climb to relieve some of the pressure on my achilles. My achilles from both of my legs were not screaming at every pedal stroke. Will have to wait and see if lowering the seat was the trick to solving my achilles issues. Hopefully I did not over do it with too many miles today.

Around 12.20pm I crossed into Mississippi.

By 2.30pm I had already pedaled 70 miles.

I followed 98 West for 90% of the way. However, every few miles Google Maps would throw me off the highway on to back country roads with non-smooth surfaces. A few times I was worried the road would not be paved, and I would be backtracking or walking. Old Highway 24 has been closed for a while from there no longer being pavement present, and trees growing where the road should be.

Google Maps tried to get me to bicycle into the woods, lucky I was able to cut back to Highway 98 West without too much trouble. Highway 98 does not always have a usable shoulder for cycling…actulally a lot of the Highway does not…thankfully there were not a lot of vehicles, and everyone seemed to pull over before passing me…except for one tractor-trailer.

Part of the GoPro Bike Mount broke during the ride today. So I worked on fixing that this evening.

10 miles outside of Hattiesburg, MS, the rain started to come. Luckily the rain was coming from behind me. I found the closet motel with restaurants around the motel. Unfortunately, the first motel on Google Maps I went to was not present.

So that added another 6 miles to my ride today, and I was already playing it risky of turning dark in the next 20 minutes. I found another motel, checked in, and it started raining for a few hours. It is supposed to rain tomorrow night as well.

Motel ($40), I went to Subway and a gas station for dinner. I am planning only doing 80 miles or so tomorrow. I really do not like my motel room again. Sheets are stained, holes in comforter, and I have already seen a roach crawl across the floor.

I think I must have sun poisoning on my hands. There are tiny blisters on my hand popping up everywhere that itch. My hands are also super dry, and cracked. And my achilles are still in pain…just less pain.

I have decided to just remove the comforter and pillows, and use my sleeping bag. I am also going to leave the sink light on. I am tired.

Bike Across America Journal – Thursday, February 19, 2015 (Day 10)

February 19, 2015 (Day 10)

Start: Pensacola, Florida

End: Daphne, Alabama

Weather:

Miles: 50+

I did not go to bed until almost midnight.  So I was surprised when I woke up, and was going to be able to leave before10am this morning.

As I was packing, the Warmshower (nite owl) woke up, cooked us bagels, and we sat around the kitchen table talking until 12pm. We continued to talk/reflect on our travels, and her future travels.

Outside looked bright and sunny outside, but in the wind it was cold. I was able to ride halfway in shorts and no gloves on my hands.

I crossed into Alabama just after 1pm. Eventhough Alabama had signs for a Bike Lane, the shoulder grew narrow as I crossed into Alabama. Florida does a great job keeping shoulders wide enough when shoulders are present. The Alabama shoulder felt like 18 inches at max and a little rough on the pavement.

But I cannot complain too much today. Anything I did was easier than yesterday. What a difference a Day makes! There was some headwind in sections of the ride, but I felt as if the headwinds were not even comparable to yesterday’s.

Around 3.30pm, I stopped into a Piggly Wiggly (grocery store) to find some lunch and drinks for the rest of the day. As I sat eating my two pork sandwiches and Pop Tarts outside the store in all my clothes, in the cold air, trying to be warmed by the sun – I planned the rest of the day. Unfortunately I only had about 1.5 hrs until nightfall. I did not think I could make it into Mobile, AL tonight (which was really my goal for the day). Coming into Mobile, AL on a bicycle, you have to loop a few miles north of the city; and I did not want to be caught in the dark again.

So I rode another hour into the town that sits just across the bay from Mobile. As I was coming into Daphne, AL, I happened to see a Bike Shop. I pulled in and bought another bicycle tube, and two repair kits. I took out the patches from the repair kits, and gave the kits back to the store. I also borrowed the bike stop’s floor pump to put 110 psi into my tires. I like riding at 110 psi, and the bicycle pump that I carry is difficult to put that much pressure into the tubes with such a small pump. Anyhow, the bike store charged me $18 (expensive to me!, thought it should be more like $10 for those 3 items).

I checked into a motel ($62) just after 5pm. Within walking distance of me are several restaurants. I chose McDonald’s and Dunkin Donuts for dinner.

I did struggle throughout the ride today. I was wishing for 70 miles, but 60 miles would have been okay…I ended up cycling 50 miles. It occurred to me during the ride today, that my achilles may be in such pain because my bicycle seat is too high. My feet may be having to stretch to reach the peddles. My achilles are still throbbing, and do not seem to be getting better. After checking into the motel, I lowered my seat post. I really hope this will help…and I hope eventually it will get me into riding more miles with less aches.

It’s almost 10pm. I still need to shower. And I am not sure how far I will ride tomorrow. The motel is too expensive to stay, and I am not sure how far my body wants to go…My mind wants to go at least 70+ miles.

Bike Across America Journal – Wednesday, February 18, 2015 (Day 9)

Wednesday, February 18, 2015 (Day 9)

Start: Panama City, Florida

End: Pensacola, Florida

Weather: Cold, Windy

Miles: 110+

I had a great stay at the Warmshower in Panama City. The Warmshower also helped me get up early as she had to go to a meeting at work, so I was on the road by 7.30 CST. As I got to ride out of the town of Panama City, I realized how beautiful the downtown area is. I am use to only visiting Panama City Beach, about 10 miles away.

Another very cold morning! Just as I was leaving Panama City Beach area, I stopped into a McDonald’s to rest and relax, this decision came back to being questionable as I rode throughout the day. I spent about 30 minutes warming up in the McDonald’s eating and drinking.

Today was Wind.
Today was a Headwind.
Today was unbelievable slow.

12pm – I still had 76 miles left to ride of the 110 miles. Every mile was a struggle. I was happily done for the day at this point. As every minute passed, I realized I was not making Pensacola today.

12.45pm – The rear tire went flat. Lucky I was able to repair in a safe place.

Even as I repaired the tube, I was being destroyed by the wind blowing the bike over. Back on the road, I was lucky if I was riding over 12 mph.

1.30pm – I stopped in a gas station to get any kind of excitement in me. I choose chocolate milk, sodas, and candy bars. I quickly downed the chocolate milk, and one of the candy bars.

2.30pm – I had 46 miles left of the 110 miles. I was in the town of Fort Walton. I emailed the Warmshower to let them know I was not going to make it tonight. The earliest I could get there would be 6.30-7pm (that’s if the rest of the ride went perfect.)

3.30pm – The Warmshower Host told me to keep coming, I could arrive as late as I needed. More hope had been presented via email.

Any crossing of a bridge, even the Air Force Base, was heart breaking. I was riding under 10 mph, and contemplating if I should just jump off the bridge.

I continued to slog on. Around 4pm, the wind seemed to shift to the side ever so slighty, I was picking up speed. I may have been hitting around 15 mph. However, the last major road I still had 26 miles on was Under Construction. This road was the main thoroughfare to Pensacola. The funny part; the only construction being done on the road was in the Bicycle Lane/Emergency Lane.

This construction continued for the entire 26 miles. The Bike Lane had been scarred up for re-paving…so it was a jolting experience if I chose to ride in the lane. So for 26 miles I ducked and dogged scarred pavement with cars on the highway to Pensacola.

Night began to fall as I reached the last bridge into Pensacola. Again this bridge was another heart breaker, the only positive event I noticed, was I saw the sunset as I continued to battle my way across in the winds. The crossing was miserable. I am not sure how long the bridge into Pensacola is…maybe a mile, but it probably took me 20 minutes to cross.

Strangely enough as I got back to Terra Ferma, I noticed a bicycle laying against the crash rails. I stopped to talk to a cyclist who was headed to Monterrey, California. He had started in Gainesville, FL.  After putting lights on my bicycle, we decided to ride together for a few miles to make the night riding a little safer for the both of us. We soon separated as he was staying at a local church in town, one that I had the opportunity to stay. But I still had 3 more miles to my Warmshower Host.

I arrived in the dark at the Warmshower home just after 6.30pm. The ride through Pensacola was not too bad in the dark. We chatted about our travels, and then I was cooked a meal. 

I am tired, and somewhat surprised I finished the 110 miles.

Bike Across America Journal – Tuesday ,February 17, 2015 (Day 8)

Tuesday ,February 17, 2015 (Day 8)

Start: Tallahassee, Florida

End: Panama City, Florida

Weather: Light Rain, Cold

Miles: 99.74+

As I wake up, it takes me about an hour to have myself and the bike ready to ride. Like most days, I did not eat breakfast. Left the Warmshower home just before 9am. The ride to the Post Office was in a cool light rain. I was a little discouraged riding with the morning commuters in their cars as the streets were wet from last night’s rain, and I have not ridden in rain. I changed my lenses to my glasses before i left the house because it was so dark and rainy outside this morning. Today’s ride was in the cold rain (temp probably stayed around 45 degrees throughout the day), so I wore both of my jackets for the entire ride, my gloves for 75%, and my rain pants (my only pants) for 50%.

Just on the outskirts of Tallahassee, 6 miles into the ride today, I pulled over to fix the front wheel from a flat tire. A piece of glass punctured through the tire in a roadwork construction area. I was glad my hands were warm enough to remove the tire, this was before I had donned my gloves for the majority of the ride.

I debated patching the tube, or just putting on the only spare tube i have. But i decided even in the cold, and even with the 90+ miles to go, I would take the time to patch the tube. I think patching the tube is risky on a day like today with the rain and cold, because if I do repair incorrectly, I run the risk of starting over all again, – having accomplished zero. But in the end the patched tube got me to where i am tonight. All-in-all, the repair took about 30 minutes.

Once the tube had been repaired, it was already 10am. I still had 90 miles to Panama City. I really thought there was no way I would make that…I believed I was foolish for assuming I could make that kind of distance as I have in past adventures. Anyhow, I kept pushing through the pain of both my achilles, my sore/tender butt, and the weather. As the weather seemed to get colder, I finally put on my gloves.

The road seemed great to ride on, expect for a couple of bridges, and one bridge that is almost 3/4 mile long with no shoulder. There was not really any standing water on the roads, though it rained last nite, all of today, and until I was 20 miles outside of Panama City. I kept riding not really knowing where I was staying tonight, but as I stopped for one more break 20 miles outside of Panama City at a truck stop, I received an email from a Warmshower Host inviting me to stay with her. While at the truck stop, I noticed the time had changed to the CST. I got a little excited, but then thought the time change would probably mean I will be more lazy in the morning, and now it even gets darker one hour earlier.

I made the Warmshower Host’s home around 5.30 EST; not too terribly long before it gets pitch black (6.20pm). I was welcomed in, and given an entire suite in the house with bed, shower, couch, micro/fridge, and to top off the amenities – a cooked dinner waiting on me!

As we watched a movie together I uploaded photos. I am very relaxed at this Warmshower…this would be a great place to spend an extra day.

Tomorrow’s adventure should have me in Pensacola (100+ miles…we shall see).

Bike Across America Journal – Monday ,February 16, 2015 (Day 7)

Monday , February 16, 2015 (Day 7)

Start: Perry, Florida

End: Tallahassee, Florida

Weather: Cloudy, Warm

Miles: 55

I left the motel just before 10am to head to the post office to mail extra gear home. Here is where I found out it was President’s Day.

The ride to Tallahassee seemed quite easy, and I cruised along.

I was in Tallahassee just after 1pm. Cloudy and cool the whole way with rolling hills. Sun did break behind me a few times, and I was able to ride in my shorts and t-shirt most of the way.

I had this crazy idea of replacing my broken Canon camera with aGoPro Hero 3+ Silver. I stopped in a Wal-Mart on the way to downtown Tallahassee. The Wal-Mart had one in stock, and $364 later, I realize it may have been a huge waste of money. We will need to wait and see.

I then headed to downtown Tallahassee to find a bicycle shop to have my gears altered.

The shop was nice enough to do the work for free and inflate my tires (University Cycle). I then headed to the laundromat across from Florida State University. I was a bit scared, but I hope everything came out clean. I had the joy of changing in the bathroom, and wearing my rain suit for the event.

I then headed to find my Warmshower Host who was letting me stay at her place for the night. The host works at a place where they build bicycle bags. I hung around for about an hour chatting with the two employees and learning about their products.

Around 5pm, we headed to the house, dropped some gear, and then rode to the grocery store for dinner and cat litter.

 I came back and played with the cat until dinner, ate dinner, played with the cat, showered, played with the cat, and as I am writing this the cat is sitting on my inflatable mattress and down sleeping bag next to me. I just hope he does not want to poke any holes in the mattress.

I also worked on installing the GoPro mount to the handlebars.

Bike Across America Journal – Sunday ,February 15, 2015 (Day 6)

Sunday , February 15, 2015 (Day 6)

Start: Fort White, FL

End: Perry, FL

Weather: Great

Miles: 55

Spent the morning drying gear over the picnic table from last night’s damp air. Checked out of the campground ($20) and left at 10am. I took my time riding the 55 miles into Perry, FL. I wore my visor today to protect my burnt nose. Once I reached Perry, after checking into the motel,  I went and bought suntan lotion,and looked for flip-flops to replace my broken ones. There I purchased super glue…and so far, even after shower, the flip-flops seem to be holding together.

Google Maps had me on non-paved road for one mile today, however, the road was not difficult even on a road bike. Somewhere around here the Canon S100 camera broke (this is a known flaw with this camera…its probably happened 7 times now. I have to mail it back to Canon for repair). I made Perry just after 2pm. Checked into the motel ($42), then went to store for sunscreen. And then on to the grocery store for supplies for food tonight and tomorrow.

Spent the afternoon stuffing my face with a whole chicken…now I hate chicken. Spent the rest of the time altering gear on the bicycle, and deciding what i could ship in the mail to home.

This is probably the best motel so far.
Weather was great, short sleeve and shorts the whole way!

Bike Across America Journal – Saturday,February 14, 2015 (Day 5)

Saturday, February 14, 2015 (Day 5)

Start: Homerville, GA

End:  Fort White, FL

Weather: Strong Headwinds

Miles: 94

Left after 10am today. Strong winds throughout the day. Headwinds until I reached the Florida border just before 1pm. Progress getting to Florida seemed slow. Keep thinking getting to Texas might take some time at this rate. 

But once across the Florida line, the wind seemed to allow me to pass, and I started cruising again. I was in Lake City before 3pm. Took a break, and decided to finish the 20 mile ride into Fort White.

Fort White, FL is where I finished my adventure in 2006. From Fort White I head West. Unfortunately I did not make Fort White until 5pm. And there is no motel here. I quickly went to a gas station for supplies for tonight and tomorrow. The only restaurant in town was a Subway, but they had Wi-Fi. So I found a campground 6 miles up the road. I pulled into the campground just before 6pm. The campground office was closed. I asked the RV campers about staying the night. They took me to find campground manager. I was given key to the restrooms. I ate dinner, inflated my mattress, showered, and slept under the picnic table. surprisingly I am not cold yet.

Bike Across America Journal – Friday, February 13, 2015 (Day 4)

Friday, February 13, 2015 (Day 4)

Start: McRae, GA

End: Homerville, GA

Weather: Cold

Mileas: 78

I was not sure I was going to bicycle at all today. Did not sleep much, and I was not sure my legs/ankles would be ready to do the miles. But I woke feeling good, and thought I could make Douglas, GA (40 miles).

Checked out of the motel just before 10.30 am. Stopped at a convenience store on the way out of town for two drinks, and a candy bar…enough to get me to Douglas. As I left the convenience store, I finally realized it was most likely freezing outside. I put on my face guard, jacket and pants. It would be an hour before I removed my pants and gloves. I wore the face guard and both my jackets the entire ride today. Last night I was worried I would not be able to find suntan lotion for my burned arms, this morning I was worried about my hands being too frozen to change a flat tire, and i would be stuck on the road…no need to worry about sun burning today.

GPS on the phone did not work today, but the directions had me staying on HWY 441 for 78 miles, so i left the phone off. I made Douglas, GA by 12.45pm. I rode through town, trying to eat at the last restaurant on the edge of town. That restaurant ended up being Pizza Hut. I stayed here just over one hour, then continued the 30+ miles to Homerville, GA.

The road was great, with small shoulder most of the way. Only a few times did a shoulder not exist. The traffic was lite and courteous. I arrived in Homerville just before 5pm. Checked into the motel, and layed in bed relaxing. Walked across the street to a store and DQ for dinner. Came back and heated up my leftover pizza from lunch in the motel microwave, started eating, and noticed roaches (10 or more) hanging around the pizza box. I had killed a small gnat like animal on the wireless keyboard earlier, but it did not occur to me it might be a baby roach. Anyhow, I took photos to the front office, and got a new room…the one next to the owners. My guess is this is the room their family stays in when visiting. I don’t really want to stay here tonite. In my new room I will not be eating any food. There are no other people staying at the motel. Supposedly there is another motel in town, but the reviews are bad for it as well. This motel tonight: $36.50. Tomorrow i hope to make Florida, and soon I will head west.

Bike Across America Journal – Thursday, February 12, 2015 (Day 3)

Thursday, February 12, 2015 (Day 3)

Start: Milledgeville, GA

End: McRae, GA

Weather: Cool

Miles: 82

I slept on the floor last nite in my sleeping bag behind the dining table and the wall. I woke up around 7:45am.

I Left Milledgeville just before 9am. Cool morning, but just wore my windbreaker. I have yet to wear my hat or gloves. Nice road out of town with few cars, but with some climbing past prison camps, detention centers, and a war memorial. I was told in Athens, GA that Milledgeville has/had the largest insane asylum in Georgia, I think I might have passed it, but a lot of it looked shut down…was hoping they might let me in.

I was really surprised how easy today was compared with yesterday. Only my left achilles hurt throughout the day. But as I’m writing this, both my achilles are very sore, throbbing a little, and I am contemplating if I should take a day off.

As I left this morning, my hope was to try to make Milledgeville to Dublin (50 miles)…then see how I was feeling and most likely stay the nite in Dublin. But by 12:30pm, I was in Dublin still willing to do more. I decided to take a 1.5 hour break, and eat at Crackel Barrel. After lunch I went to the gas station and bought two Gatorades for the 30 miles to Dublin.

I figure each 24 oz bottle gets me about 10 miles, so I need 3 bottles of liquid for the remaining 30 mile ride.

From Dublin to McRae, you ride HWY 441, there is a small shoulder, but traffic was not terrible, there are tractor-trailers running this highway. Still had a few hills which gets me nervous because I am going so slow on the climb as cars try to pass me.

Not long after I left Dublin, the bike computer stopped registering speed and cadence, also the phone lost navigation. So I was riding blind. I use the cadence (reps per minute, like rpm for a car) constantly  to help encourage me to keep my legs rounding the pedal 80-90 times per minute, and if I fall below or rise above, I change/adapt my gears. I stopped a few times to try to correct the issues, but to no avail. Thankfully the ride was straight down HWY 441, then signs lead me into McRae, GA. It sucked not knowing how many miles were left, but I felt good, except for my left achilles, so I kept on riding.

On HWY 441, as a school bus was passing, an empty Gatorade bottle was thrown at me, but there was such a strong crosswind, the bottle dropped in the middle of the highway. There were three tractor-trailers following the bus, and I was just hoping the tractor-trailers would not kick the bottle under my wheel (doubt anything would have happened, but I did not want to find out).

I spent the next few miles trying to decide how I would punish (teach) the kid for throwing the bottle out the window (at someone). I am stumped as to how to correct the situation. My best answer was to make the kid walk home and find their own way back to their house, but the only thing useful that occurred to me from this situation is how difficult it must be to be a parent.

I arrived in McRae, GA around 4:45pm. Found a crap motel for $35. I worked on the bicycle; fixing the computer, and then walked across the street to Subway for dinner. Nothing much else here around the motel.

Took a shower, washed clothes in shower, then wrote journal as I fell asleep.