DAY 29_Titusville to Melbourne Beach

03 November 2019

Time change. Always confuses me. But what it meant today was that I started at 0800 instead of 0900. And that turned out to be a good thing. Instead of finishing my ride at 3pm, I was done by 2pm. My riding speed was a bit better today also, I think. So I was at the campground before 2pm! What was my average speed, you ask. Well I’ll explain why I don’t know a bit later.

The Indian River and Rockledge Drives sections are so pleasant. Today there was a triathlon going on, so part of Indian River Drive was on the course. It was interesting being in the middle of a race and wondering if I was going to impede someone’s efforts. I guess I didn’t. At first it was the cycling part. When I went by a coned off area at the beginning, the attendant said it was okay for me to be on the road, but that there would be hundreds of cyclists coming through. Thank goodness I wasn’t in the middle of that part. Then the runners were the next part. Their lane of the road was coned so traffic could use the other lane. Only a few cars went by. I never was able to see anything about the swim section. 

Then back onto US1 for eight miles. With a bike lane, thank you.

Stopped for lunch at 10:30, almost at my halfway point. The Pineda Country Store is your basic self-serve gas station with beer, snacks, and sodas. Oh, and lottery tickets. Today’s delicious lunch was a PayDay and water. I sat on a bench in front of the store and walked around looking at the surroundings. I liked the airbrush (?) scene on the building.

 As I switched all my lights back on, I noticed my bicycle computer was having some sort of spell. I really didn’t want to reset it, because it has my odometer mileage. I was hoping to take a picture of my total mileage at the end of the ride. Well now, no such luck. I reset it. Still having its spell. I took the battery out and put it back in. Still having a spell. Reset again. Still having a spell. I took a video because no one would ever believe this otherwise. I have had many bike computers. But I have never had one do this before. I put it in my jersey pocket, fired up the ECG map app on my phone, and simply used that for the rest of the trip. I compared it to my cue sheets so I had a couple of references as to when I needed to leave the route for the Long Point Road and campground for the night.

Here is the haywire bike computer. Notice, it is in my hand. (I am standing.) Look at the speed, would you. IT IS NOT A VIDEO. IT IS A SCREEN SHOT OF MY VIDEO. It will not play, but if you feel compelled to press the arrow, go for it. Just sayin'. It will not play. The video wouldn't upload, so I had to take a screen shot. If I am able to upload later I will.

  

Yesterday on the miles of the ECRRT I saw multiple patches of these extra cute little flower buds. I took a picture of one with foliage (ignore the piece of grass trailing down) for my botanizing friends. The first patch surprised me. I couldn’t tell at first if they were flowers. Until I was directly on top of them, I thought it was some sort of dripped plastic. There were never opened flowers. Only buds. Here is the picture of the unopened flower.

Today, I saw even more patches—huge patches—of what I think are those flowers opened. So eat up with cute. I’m pretty sure I’ve seen them. And thankfully, one of my botanizing friends will identify them for me. They were so interspersed with the groundcover, one almost can’t see any of the flowers' foliage. At least I think I’m correct with that assumption.

Much of the ride was on A1A, but FL518 goes across the Indian River via the Eau Gallie Causeway and Bridge. As soon as I hit the sidepath, I was greeted by what felt was a full headwind. It didn’t take very many rounds of the pedal to figure I’d be better off walking. There are times when walking is a welcomed break from the saddle. I enjoyed seeing the water, boats, pelicans, osprey, and cormorants. 

The A1A sidepath is shared by bikes, pedestrians, scooters, golf carts, and sand. Luckily, one can usually dodge all of those.

After I arrived, I changed into presentable clothing, and we drove about eight miles back up the A1A to a place called New England Eatery & Pub. DL had Ipswich clams! I had pasta with shrimp and a Dubay sauce. I had never heard of it. But it was dang good. As soon as we arrived back at the campsite, we both headed for showers. Then it was Old Fashioned time!

Sometimes I forget what place we’ve stayed. I almost never remember the names. This is one of the cool spots. Backs up to the water. We hear the honks of herons. A great blue flew up from the water behind our spot (or in front, whichever orientation you prefer). Had we come equipped we could fish right from our campsite! DL took a couple of pictures which she’ll post on her blog or the Book of Face.

The internet here is almost non-existent. Same with cell service. It means no posting tonight. No Sunday night football L. But my blog entry is written. My photos are air-dropped to my laptop, and I can prepare for bed.

Oh wait. It’s only 6:28. It’s dark. Time change.

55.42 miles / 820.09