What a difference a day makes! Today it was 60 at Anastasia State Park when we woke up. We actually put a fleece on the bed in the wee hours. The fan we had started last night was switched off around 10 pm.
I started my ride from the park in a long sleeve jersey and a lightweight wind shirt. Kept them on all day, although the long sleeve jersey likely would have been fine for the second half of the ride. It was cloudy, and the day started with the the wind at my back. I couldn't have asked for a better cycling day.
The first half of the ride, my average speed was a little over 13mph. While I would like to think it was my physical prowess, I know that wasn't the case. It was as if my body was an oversized sail that the North Wind kindly blew along the path. (I wasn't able to keep the wind at my back for all of the ride. Some cue sheet issues led to lots of stopping to figure out where I was supposed to be or IF I was where I was supposed to be.)
I came to realize that my cycling saddle was spent. It was a nice saddle, and it has served me well. I did not have quite the discomfort on the first third of the trip that I am having now. Process of deduction leads one to suspect a ten or more year-old saddle may not have the support it once had. It has a cut out down the center, and nice gel/foam support in the "sit bones" area. Pretty sure that years of an extra 30-50 pounds may have finally compressed the gel into a brick. That's certainly the way it has felt.
Flagler Beach was a little over halfway, and I needed a break from the brick. I opted for my rest stop to be at Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area. A beautiful beach park on one side with cool interpretive signs. There is another area that I didn't explore on the other side of the road. Added to the list. The plaque tells his story. I have known of him for a long time, and I remember when he died trying to save a swimmer in distress. Never had the pleasure of hearing him perform live. Glad to pay homage today at the park. The wind was stiff, and it created a yellow flag day at the beach. You really can't tell exactly how rough it was from the picture, but it does give you an idea of how overcast it was--all day long.
If you've never driven down A1A, there are beach parks every few miles it seems. There are also RV parks, restaurants, shops fishing and boating places, non-park beach accesses, and beach homes--new and classic alike. Long, long stretches at the time. There is a significant side path (extra large side walk) so that one can avoid riding on the road. Sometimes there are bike lanes in addition to the side path. I was surprised to find a relatively light traffic Friday.
The next section of interesting road (John Anderson Drive) is one that parallels A1A and the Halifax River in Volusia County. It reminds me of the tree-lined road along the Indian River. It has been years since I cycled that road (on a century!), but I remember the images so clearly. There were quite a number of houses and property for sale. Many were old-style smaller homes opposite the waterfront side. But the lots were mostly waterfront. I wondered what issue was driving the sales. Many of the homes were opulent.
The intersection of John Anderson and Granada Boulevard in Ormond Beach border Fortunata Park on the Halifax. The only remaining piece of the Ormond Hotel is one of the features of this beautiful waterfront park. There is a bike repair station as well. When the ECG turns onto Granada, one is greeted with the long bridge over the Halifax.
The last part of today's route was comprised mostly of side paths. The Halifax River Trail, several smaller sections of side paths on various streets, until the Sweetheart Trail, which winds around the riverfront into Daytona. Something big was going on, and it appeared that streets were being blocked off in what I would call a "downtown" area. If there is a race this weekend, I am not aware.
This heron was at the Riverfront Park. The Sweetheart Trail winds around in a fun way under the bridge. One can easily understand why we support the ECG and the local development of trails that might one day be incorporated one day.
The past few days I could barely eek out 26 miles. Today's ride proved to me the impact heat and humidity have on my performance. This was my longest day since I began riding the ECG. I felt great. After an enjoyable "early bird/happy hour" dinner, we found a nice local bicycle shop--The Hub. I don't think they're affiliated with the Athens Hub, but I didn't ask. I was too busy finding a new bicycle seat.
61.62 mi / 712.52
Sounds like a very good day! Enjoy your new government status.
ReplyDeleteI forgot to relay this funny story. As I mentioned, there was something big in the works in Daytona. As I was crossing the road to leave the route and head to the campground, the traffic light was red. It was a busy road, and there were two sheriff representatives holding stop signs in the way crossing guards do in the mornings. After a minute, the one on my side of the street said that I needed to go over and push the button to cross. I started to make a joke when I returned to my place in the "go forward" lane. She pointed to the sensors that trigger the light change, and said, "When a car goes over these, it triggers the light to change. You're just too light." I chucked and replied, "That's the first time anyone has ever said that to me." She was trying to be serious, but she did manage a smile.
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