Tara in quarantine, patient zero (Note the tissues on the ground). After fending off a cold for 2 days now, it finally caught up with her.
Hi, Tara here ... Today our route kept us along the coast of Merritt Island (The Kennedy Space Center is located here). We had 37 miles total to do from Titsville to Vero Beach. Early on, the road took us through a quiet neighbourhood where everything seemed to be normal ...
The old "North Pole bear attends a college pep rally" Christmas Float routine
The last piece of Vanessa's fantastic ginger cake - it single-handedly kept us all going through the first 3 days
The conquerors !! Stopped for coffee on one of the few public access beaches we passed.
Earlier today, we found a bike shop for supplies, Tara bought a horn - Sumo Man squeaks from his bum - very manly
Click on the video to see us cycling along the Indian River
On another break ... Vanessa lay down in an ant hill to get this shot and what are affectionately known as "crazy" ants attacked. Mike used his ginger-caked fingers to try to stop them from crawling up his leg but the cake only made matters worse .. suffice to say, we rode away quickly - the wildlife in these parts is surprisingly sturdy.
We're now in Vero Beach. Beautiful Oak country. The area looks to be a fairly high end place with million dollar homes and lots of shiny SUV's.
Robby and I head onto the beach after the end of the ride.
4 hrs later and that's it for the day. We were lucky today with the wind at our backs, we managed an impressive 15 miles per hour average speed (at least impressive to me). We still had most of the day to relax and enjoy the sites.
Vanessa loved her meat ball submarine. Tara tried to feed the seagulls pickled peppers and Jalapenos, not sure she understands birds yet.
Out for dinner, we found an old fisherman's bar right on the river
Another hero shot - our usual reward for all the cycling. Even Vanessa likes this brand.
Day 2 kicked off cold! - about 50 degrees Fahrenheit, which is not cold by UK or Canadian standards, but we were well layered up. The first half of the ride (about 20 miles) wasn't really exciting - cloudy skies, nippy air, suburban streets. But the second half was glorious!!
Click on the video above for a bit of Merritt Island magic!
Robby's GPS system - big and brilliant! (Sorry that you can't see the map in this pic)
Checking out the route on the GPS
Mike cycling off the bridge over the causeway - very very busy road!!
Even in rich neighbourhoods they dump TVs by the road!
Behind me is a community of pelicans taking a siesta in the sun.
Putting our bikes away at the Sea Scape Motel - very pink, very Florida.
Day 1 of the ride - cycled 45 miles - matching blue bike, jacket, shirt, gloves and running shoes - glad I avoided wearing blue socks as already took a great deal of chiding from supposed "friends and family"! We started the ride strong, maintained well but I finished a huddled mass of grumbling and limping, which I kept mostly to myself to present a strong front for the others, to avoid more chiding. Vanessa took lots of pics as usual, only almost falling off her bike once as a result. Robby led with aplomb and style, Mike was a trooper despite some knee pain - he stiff upper lipped it and inspiringly set the pace for us all. All around a great day had by all !! Tara :)
We're all here!! We have one day's rest before we kick off the cycling trip, so this morning Mike & Robby put the bikes together - Tara's bike was in pieces in a box and Mike's and mine were in bags. After all their hard work we headed to the beach for a walk and lunch.
Brandi, Robby, Mike and Tara strolling on the beach.
Lunch at JB's on the river
Dusk in Sugar Mill Golf Course (where we are staying)
After a lovely day out at the beach, Sally and Norman kindly invited us over for drinks and nibbles. It was wonderful, thank you!!
Mike and Norman talk turkey
Sally, the hostess with the mostest
All of us sharing a wonderful evening at Sally and Norman's.
Here's a small collection of great cycling moments Mike and I have been fortunate to share with others over the past couple of years. Hopefully the trip along Florida's coast (which we start in a couple of days time) with Tara, Robby and Brandi will be as good or better! Merry Christmas to everyone and a wonderful 2012!!
Come on guys, post your rides! Touring saddle, Check. Orange wheels, Check! Mike, you totally need to show those cool handlebars! Tara, what have you been doing?
We are Mike, Vanessa, Tara, Robby and B (support driver) and we're cycling on the Atlantic coast from New Smyrna Beach to Stuart. We are aiming to do 40 miles a day and plan to spend 4 days accomplishing the task.
Vanessa's bike
Vanessa has already got the route sussed and the hotels booked. Well, I say she got the route sussed but Robby added his contribution and the route has now been refined - we're trying to make it to Stuart in one piece!
"19 Shark Attacks in 2008 at New Smyrna Beach, Florida" the world wide web site is calling New Smyrna the 'Shark Attack Capital of the World'. B is going to sunbathe while we cycle, so I must warn her not to go in the sea.
