Sunday
April 8, 2012
First time at computer this entire trip.
What a great trip this has been. Got to see lots of family and friends, some of whom I haven't seen in ten years but have known for 37 years. Even got to see this one guy's parents, whom I haven't seen since 1987.
What absolutely gracious hosts everyone has been. From my warm shower new found friends to my surrogate Mom and everyone in between.
I started bicycling on Wed 3/26 (?) from Jax, Fl. First night iwas n my old college hangout in Gainesville. Then Ocala. Then Disney where my highlight of my trip was waiting for me...My daughter, Brea. We got to hang out for the better part of 4 days. So the deal was, if i was not biking then she would have to drive me. That was an easy slam dunk. First time i had gotten a ride but it was planned so ...She drove us to St Pete Beach where my sister (in-law) lives with her family. Then the next day she drove me down the west coast to Punta Gorda where I only had 50 miles to pedal before getting on a ferry from Fort Myers Beach to Key West, thus cutting out a good 2 days worth of biking ( you don't want to get caught in the middle of the night in the middle of the everglades!!!). From there, it was all fairly easy...straight up the east coast (mainly A1A) back to Jax.
I am currently in Merritt Island at the home of a good friend and fellow chiropractor. Only three more days of riding, and only 65 miles per day, What a cake walk!!!
Will fill in the gaps later.
All is well!!!
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Sunday, April 8, 2012
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Saturday August 20, 2011
Halifax, NS
What a ending to a tremendous trip...on Friday morning, I went hiking in the middle of Truro 'city' at Victoria Park (complete with waterfalls). It was 6 miles from my B&B. It was gorgeous.
Then a short 30 mile jaunt to Maitland, where the Bay of Fundy meets the Schubernackie River. The Bay of Fundy has a tidal surge of 30 feet (they are trying to get it named the 7th wonder of the world). Because of the tidal surge up river and the river flowing down and the sand bars (actually mud), it creates these huge rolling waves in which these motorized zodiac rafts plunge into the waves over and over. It was more fun than one person should have. You have to try this if you are up in these woods (only place in the world you can do this!!!).
This morning was only a 42 miler (with headwind) but i capped off the ride with a swim (in my birthday suit) in a beautiful stream, less than 10 KM from the airport.
The trip could not have been scripted out much better: the weather was great, the bike ran exceptionally good, my body ran near perfect. I guess you can always strive for perfection: better roads, tailwind, naked pole dancers every 10 miles (for incentive!!), free beer on any days ending in 'y'.
Now, I am back at the hotel near the airport that I started from (they kept my bike box and luggage).
All packed up and ready to start planning the next adventure!!!
Can not WAIT to see Sandy and my kids tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
All is Well!!!
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Halifax, NS
What a ending to a tremendous trip...on Friday morning, I went hiking in the middle of Truro 'city' at Victoria Park (complete with waterfalls). It was 6 miles from my B&B. It was gorgeous.
Then a short 30 mile jaunt to Maitland, where the Bay of Fundy meets the Schubernackie River. The Bay of Fundy has a tidal surge of 30 feet (they are trying to get it named the 7th wonder of the world). Because of the tidal surge up river and the river flowing down and the sand bars (actually mud), it creates these huge rolling waves in which these motorized zodiac rafts plunge into the waves over and over. It was more fun than one person should have. You have to try this if you are up in these woods (only place in the world you can do this!!!).
This morning was only a 42 miler (with headwind) but i capped off the ride with a swim (in my birthday suit) in a beautiful stream, less than 10 KM from the airport.
The trip could not have been scripted out much better: the weather was great, the bike ran exceptionally good, my body ran near perfect. I guess you can always strive for perfection: better roads, tailwind, naked pole dancers every 10 miles (for incentive!!), free beer on any days ending in 'y'.
Now, I am back at the hotel near the airport that I started from (they kept my bike box and luggage).
All packed up and ready to start planning the next adventure!!!
Can not WAIT to see Sandy and my kids tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
All is Well!!!
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Thursday, August 18, 2011
Thursday August 18, 2011
Truro, NS
Well, today was supposed to be almost anti-climatic, having only 45 miles to ride. The wind was 'suppose' to be less, even though it was still coming from the west (southwest...northwest...it's still west!!!). I know i harp on the wind an awful lot but that is the one element that will just wear you down, if it's a headwind. I actually have started to enjoy riding in the rain, as long as i don't have to stop.
Today was 44 miles but at 10.8 MPH. Felt like I was almost going backwards sometimes. I kept yelling: "is that all ya got?!?. Then i shut up pretty quickly realizing that it's not.
Ended up with a dehydration fever...you'd figure that i would have this thing figured out by now. Need to drink by minutes not by miles. Half gallon later, all better now.
The people at tonight's B&B are so nice that they let me drive their car into town to get dinner...AAWW!!
With a mere 35 miles to ride, tomorrow is day off with a hike at Victoria Park (complete with waterfalls) in the morning and Tidal Bore Rafting in the afternoon (I'll explain better later).
All is Well,
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Truro, NS
Well, today was supposed to be almost anti-climatic, having only 45 miles to ride. The wind was 'suppose' to be less, even though it was still coming from the west (southwest...northwest...it's still west!!!). I know i harp on the wind an awful lot but that is the one element that will just wear you down, if it's a headwind. I actually have started to enjoy riding in the rain, as long as i don't have to stop.
Today was 44 miles but at 10.8 MPH. Felt like I was almost going backwards sometimes. I kept yelling: "is that all ya got?!?. Then i shut up pretty quickly realizing that it's not.
Ended up with a dehydration fever...you'd figure that i would have this thing figured out by now. Need to drink by minutes not by miles. Half gallon later, all better now.
The people at tonight's B&B are so nice that they let me drive their car into town to get dinner...AAWW!!
With a mere 35 miles to ride, tomorrow is day off with a hike at Victoria Park (complete with waterfalls) in the morning and Tidal Bore Rafting in the afternoon (I'll explain better later).
All is Well,
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Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Wednesday Aug 17, 2011
New Glasgow, NS
It's been a while since my last confession, err, I mean blog. Most places did not have access to a computer and the I-Pad still will not cooperate with wireless. I apologize.
Many days have transpired and many miles in between. I did the entire Cabot Trail with multiple MOUNTAINS, averaging about 65 miles per day (that's 100 KM for those Canadians that are reading this).
The headwind has been vicious yesterday and today. Rained for the first two hours yesterday but be honest once the sun comes out, you start wishing for the rain to begin again.
Can't seem to get a perfect day...good roads, good weather, tailwind, no traffic. Why try to achieve perfection when excellent will do.
Met a few bikers, all seem 'packed' up, even with camping gear. Most on the bike for extended periods...65-120 days. I think that no only would my wife divorce me but so would my butt.
Short trip tomorrow then day off then short trip to airport on Saturday for flight on Sunday. Can you believe it?!?
I'm Living the Dream, Baby!!!
All is Well,
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Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Tuesday Night
August 9, 2011
Port Hilford, NS
No real story today other than I want to come back in my next life as weather "man". They said the rain would be clearing up in 'the morning' and then blue sky. Well, it was clear in the morning and rained the entire afternoon. When i finally pulled over to put on rain gear, it cleared up. But it seems like 2 minutes later, it started in again. Wind directly out of the east and guess which way I'm going...EAST!!!Even if the road changed direction the wind was still in the face (all those who BBQ can appreciate the smoke in the eyes, independent of which side of the BBQ you stand on).
55 miles @ 12.1 MPH
Getting more warnings about MOUNTAINS on the Cabot Trail. 35 miles of straight up. Could be interesting. Getting advice to either walk it or hitchhike.
Cross that bridge type thing...
Listening to music (can't imagine doing it without) and Bob Marley sings: In life we gonna get some troubles but if you worry about it, it doubles...Don't worry, Be Happy!!!! (sounds better if you sing it).
Night Night
All is WELL!!!
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August 9, 2011
Port Hilford, NS
No real story today other than I want to come back in my next life as weather "man". They said the rain would be clearing up in 'the morning' and then blue sky. Well, it was clear in the morning and rained the entire afternoon. When i finally pulled over to put on rain gear, it cleared up. But it seems like 2 minutes later, it started in again. Wind directly out of the east and guess which way I'm going...EAST!!!Even if the road changed direction the wind was still in the face (all those who BBQ can appreciate the smoke in the eyes, independent of which side of the BBQ you stand on).
55 miles @ 12.1 MPH
Getting more warnings about MOUNTAINS on the Cabot Trail. 35 miles of straight up. Could be interesting. Getting advice to either walk it or hitchhike.
Cross that bridge type thing...
Listening to music (can't imagine doing it without) and Bob Marley sings: In life we gonna get some troubles but if you worry about it, it doubles...Don't worry, Be Happy!!!! (sounds better if you sing it).
Night Night
All is WELL!!!
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Monday, August 8, 2011
August 8, 2011
Port Dufferin NS
I forgot to mention yesterday that while i was stopped to check my maps (for the umpteeth time) that, as i started to leave, my headset (handlebars) became disattached from the bike. Now if there is ever a time for this to happen, sitting still is it. I hit speeds of over 40 mph earlier in the day. How lucky is that!!! Even at 5 mph that could spell pure disaster.
Today, only my back wheel became loosen to rub against frame. Minor compared to headset. But i'm handeling all setbacks gracefully.
Today was only about 55.5 miles at 12.1 mph. Does anyone notice a theme...i'm going less mileage but it's taking me longer. More hills, wind (of course in the face) and today we get rain. The scenery along the coast is spectacular but because it's foggy/overcast/rainy, the magnitude is definitely decreased.
Tonight, it's another B & B and another gracious host. One of the reasons i prefer B & B to hotels. Plus, there isn't a hotel and rarely a motel in sight!!
Rain has definitely put a different spin on things. It's really no prob to get caught in the rain but to go out in the AM and it's already raining (UGH!!!).
Off to bed.
All is well.
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Port Dufferin NS
I forgot to mention yesterday that while i was stopped to check my maps (for the umpteeth time) that, as i started to leave, my headset (handlebars) became disattached from the bike. Now if there is ever a time for this to happen, sitting still is it. I hit speeds of over 40 mph earlier in the day. How lucky is that!!! Even at 5 mph that could spell pure disaster.
Today, only my back wheel became loosen to rub against frame. Minor compared to headset. But i'm handeling all setbacks gracefully.
Today was only about 55.5 miles at 12.1 mph. Does anyone notice a theme...i'm going less mileage but it's taking me longer. More hills, wind (of course in the face) and today we get rain. The scenery along the coast is spectacular but because it's foggy/overcast/rainy, the magnitude is definitely decreased.
Tonight, it's another B & B and another gracious host. One of the reasons i prefer B & B to hotels. Plus, there isn't a hotel and rarely a motel in sight!!
Rain has definitely put a different spin on things. It's really no prob to get caught in the rain but to go out in the AM and it's already raining (UGH!!!).
Off to bed.
All is well.
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Sunday, August 7, 2011
Sunday Aug 7, 2011
West Jeddore, NS
I had to googlemap this trip, unlike my last few trips where i used maps that had been pre-made by an organization. And i have to tell you, that has to be the most stressful part of the trip in general. If you miss a road or the road's not marked or like today the road was permenantly closed. UGH!!!After meticulously going over the maps multiple times, they were useless. The 'state' map is not very detailed and the I-Pad, that i had to pry from my wife's fingers :), was useless because you can't read the screen in the sunshine. (i did play a game of suduko on it tonight, so it's not completely useless). I ended up on a highway similar to I-95. I do have a few (if possible) more gray hairs after that adventure. Eventually getting to an off-road and the right road, I ended up with 70 miles @ 12.4 MPH. Not bad for the first day. A little sore but not anything out of the ordinary. Tomorrow's ride has me on only two roads, both of which i know where they are (YEAH!!!).
Brakes are coming into play (who knew?!?) but i am figuring it out. Very hilly, not like Maine but still. Can't wait to get to the real hills!!!
Until next time...
All is well.
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West Jeddore, NS
I had to googlemap this trip, unlike my last few trips where i used maps that had been pre-made by an organization. And i have to tell you, that has to be the most stressful part of the trip in general. If you miss a road or the road's not marked or like today the road was permenantly closed. UGH!!!After meticulously going over the maps multiple times, they were useless. The 'state' map is not very detailed and the I-Pad, that i had to pry from my wife's fingers :), was useless because you can't read the screen in the sunshine. (i did play a game of suduko on it tonight, so it's not completely useless). I ended up on a highway similar to I-95. I do have a few (if possible) more gray hairs after that adventure. Eventually getting to an off-road and the right road, I ended up with 70 miles @ 12.4 MPH. Not bad for the first day. A little sore but not anything out of the ordinary. Tomorrow's ride has me on only two roads, both of which i know where they are (YEAH!!!).
Brakes are coming into play (who knew?!?) but i am figuring it out. Very hilly, not like Maine but still. Can't wait to get to the real hills!!!
Until next time...
All is well.
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