Our Last ride

the last 18 miles of our journey

everyone stayed together as we road into St Augustine

 Hi to all who have accompanied me on this ride. Just wanted to get back to you all and catch u up on the last few days.
Mickey and DHB (Down Hill Bob) dropped me off at the airport after taking Tom to his car and Wallace to his hotel near Universal Studios. We left St. Augustine at 9 am and got to Orlando Airport with enough time for me to get an earlier flight. I immediately call JJG and left him a message. Then I called Lou and she said great, that she would try to get a hold of JJG but would definitely be at the airport to pick me up. She offered to come in and help me with my luggage but I said no to just meet me at the curb. We left it that I would call her when I landed.
The flight was right on time even though it seemed like it would never land. I called Lou and she let me know that she was at the airport and would meet me outside bagggage claim. I got off the plane with my usual full bladder and was dismayed to see long lines at all restrooms. I thought I knew of  a ladies room off the beaten path so I headed strait for it. I was traveling a bit light because they asked for volunteers to check baggage at the gate and I complied. It was great, as the bag traveled free and I was not trying to juggle it and my overfilled backpack and over full bladder thru PHL. My mind was hell bent on making it to the ladies room without peeing in my shoe, so I missed seeing Eileen who had come into the airport and was waiting for me between my gate and baggage clain. When I came out of the bathroom, she was there! So good to see her smiling face waiting for me. We hugged and then sarted toward the baggage carousel.
There was a sign on a stand about 3 feet wide and 8 feet tall off to the side of the main corridor and just out of the corner of my eye I thought I saw it move and maybe a little face peeking out. Just then Marnie, Corbin, JJG , Angus and Gillis jumped out and yelled suprise. I was shcokd because Eileen had told me that JJG wouldn't mkae it as he was caught in traffic and MTG had been telling me all along that she couldnt be there and we would get together later this week.
 It was a great homecoming. JJG had the house all ready for me. The patio furniture was all out and Antonio had done a beautiful job on the yard. John had floweres in every room of the house. We got pizza from Apollo and had a nice little party ending with a trip to Micky Ds for ice cream. JJG, ANgus and the Gillman went with me in the convertible and Lou, MTG and COrb followed. We came home and put the kids in the tub for a quick rinse and then in the car so Marnie and Corb could get home for work today. Bill and Lynn came over just as they were leaving and we had hugs and some catching up. Bill, John an I watched the sixers, the flyers, and the phillies clicking from game to game around commercials and half time. After Bill left JJG and I stayed up until all games were over, around 11. I still felt keyed up and didn't even feel tired. Guess what? I was. I didnt wake up until 11:45 the next morning. Last night, after a mani/pedi and a haircut, I went with Lou to her OB/GYN appt. and heard Ginny's hear beat, very thrilling. Joan and Karen surprised by coming over with a bottle of wine to welcome me back to the Ford. It is so exciting reconnecting with all my wonderful hometown buds.  Still feel a little tired today and am only now contemplateing emptying my suitcases. Miss all my riding buddies and yes, hard to beleive even my bike. More to come on the last days of riding.

Old St Augustine

Old St Augustine

Old St Augustine

Riding over the intercoastal waterway into St Augustine Beach

The whole team gathered at the welcome to St Augustine sign-one mile to go

Bubba leading the whole team into town with Jane and Bob at the lead

dipping our wheels in the Atlantic

I did it!

Just a quick note to let everyone know that I landed in St. Augustine on time and in good shape. I haven't written for awhile and I apologize for being out of touch for so long. The last few days were filled with end of trip activities and feelings that left me with very little discretionary energy. I began to realize that something I loved was coming to a close and that I may not see some of my group ever again . I wanted to spend as much time just soaking up all the moments. I have pictures and many thoughts to share and will be filling u in soon.

The Charging Station

Every night when we pull into camp there are several rituals that I must observe. If u skip a ritual u risk piss poor preparation leading to piss poor performance. A bike world saying that has a bit of charm, admittedly quite a small bit.
So anyway part of a good prep is to make sure that ur phone and other e electronic gadgetry is charged for the evening and following day. For me this means phone and iPad . Sounds easy, right? But think about it, 32 riders and 10 staff all with 2.5 pieces of electronic equipment, coupled with a camp with one outlet. The picture attached gives u a sense of the competition. Somehow I always manage to get my stuff charge, I attribute this to my early training competing for food at the dinner table and later for the limited supply of knobby pins and nylon stockings .

Terry rescuing my Bike

My son-in-law,Rich,the man with the answers in all things electronic solved the problem of how to load this pic on my blog. TY sweetie.

6 days left

Crossed mobile bay with a 25 mph wind that caused water to crash over the deck and knocked my bike over. It was rescued by a gallant Canadian and someone got a great pix but I don't know how to up load it. It was beautiful riding along the water on the other side . They call the coast of the Fla. the redneck riviera and I guess I would agree. Actually when u think about it this whole trip has had a decidedly redneck flavor to it. Including my biking wardrobe. Some of my compatriots are are sleek and elegant and I am barely able to stay on the bike let alone achieve haute couture . Alas alack, at least i have managed to stay on the bike most of the time.

Dauphin Island AL

3 miles out in Mobile Bay reachable by a causeway with an 8% grade that looked incredibly intimidating but turned out to be very doable. Actually the ride down was more of a terror than the ride up. The view was spectacular and including the most amazing diving pelicans who seemed to be successful with each effort. I stood and watched them for quite a while. The whole ride was quite lovely with much of it along water. It was warm,in the low 80swith a nice breeze and or cloud cover most of the day. I rode 70 miles and enjoyed most all of it. My arm was aching a little so I decided to try to schedule a massage when I got into camp. Ken was able to fit me in at 3. I asked for 4 but he said , " I have Ken, the rider, at 4:30. Anyway as I was getting my massage I heard Clutch talking about someone having been released from the hospital . Turns out Ken the rider was hit by a panel truck-his side-view mirror got Ken in the shoulder and toppled him. His pedal clips were still connected to his bike when Clutch reached him.
An off duty policeman and his bike were behind the truck And immediately called the ambulance. The panel truck driver turned around and stayed with Ken until the ambulance came. Turns out he was trying to pass Ken when he saw an approaching car coming and pulled back behind Ken but wasn't able to clear him completely . He was o f course very upset. Ken , ever the southern gentleman was reassuring him that he would be fine.
Turns out he is feeling pretty good today considering he cracked his clavicle and got a bump on his forehead. He was in good spirits when he returned it camp and was able to tell us what happened. He didn't take any of the prescribed analgesics. He is wearing a sling, icing and resting. The Orthpod told him he could ride if he could stand the pain, so Ken is going to wait until tomorrow to see if he is able to continue with us.
Today has been overcast and lazy. This is our off day so it was kind of nicer to have it a little rainy and cloudy. I slept in until after 8 this am. Felt really nice.
The highlight of the. Day was Skyping with Marna and the Gillilump. When they first got on the phone Gillis smiled a Big smile. Then Marnie said say GG and he said it on demand-my heart leapt. Only 10 days until home coming-I can't wait. The trip is getting prettier by the day and flatter so the pedaling is easier. I am over 2000 miles to date and the bike is holding up and so is my bottom. I have been wearing 2 pairs of shorts to double the padding but now I truly understand what is meant by getting my panties in a twist. It does not feel good. Tomorrow I will try starting out with only one pair and carrying a pair with me and see how it goes. In the am we
Will start our day crossing the bay on a 30 Minute ferry ride and after riding 10 miles on the other side we will be in Florida. Only a couple of more days on central time.