WINTER BIKE RIDE - Ft. Pierce to West Palm Beach, FL

The wind never stopped in the night and it greeted us early in the morning. After breakfast and breaking down camp we got back out to the road along the inlet. The wind coming off the water made the ride very challenging. As we entered Jensen Beach I was glad to spot a Starbucks. We needed a coffee break. We got our iced coffees and sat outside. We talked about the challenge of the morning and what was before us the rest of the day as we rode toward Ft. Lauderdale.

We rode through Stuart, Hobe Sound, Jupiter Beach and on to North Palm Beach. Jupiter Beach was really nice. Some locals shared with us that Tiger Woods was having a house built in Jupiter Beach so we were able to eyeball the construction. After JB Ben began having bike troubles again so we decided to to limp our way to North Palm Beach and call it a ride. The wind conditions and bike troubles made that an easy call. We met Jen and the boys at the CVS and we ate in the parking lot. After lunch we changed in the bathrooms, restocked our fluids, loaded up and began the journey back to Gainesville.

The drive home was good. I dropped Jen and the boys off at Texas Roadhouse so they could meet up with friends and I dropped Ben off at his apt. Then I went home to see my girl, clean up and get some rest.

The second Winter Bike Trip was a great success. We rode 325 miles in 4 days and got to see quite a bit of Florida's east coast. God took care of us the whole way as did Jen and the boys. Ben and I were humbled and blessed.

I am looking forward to Winter Bike Trip 3 this December. We will ride from Marco Island to Gainesville. Jen and boys are on board to serve as our Support Crew once again so we are very thankful for that. WBT3 will take place December 19-22. If you are interested in riding one or more days with us let me know.

Blessings! bob g.

WINTER BIKE RIDE - Titusville to Ft. Pierce,FL

It was cold this morning when we woke up. After two days in regular riding gear it was time to put on the cold weather gear. We did so after breakfast. I was hungry this morning. I consumed many packets of oatmeal and various other breakfast items. No coffee though so I was looking forward to using our Starbucks card in Cocoa Beach.

After praying we rode back out to US 1 and turned south. We took that down to where we could cut over to A1A. That stretch of road had several bridges so it was up and down and up and down. The cross wind made this stretch a good challenge. After the final bridge we got some protection from the wind as we entered Cocoa Beach. We found the Starbucks at the Cocoa Beach Surf Company so we parked our bikes and enjoyed an iced coffee and a cookie or pastry.

Ben's bike troubles started back up so we met Jen and the boys at Bob's Bike Shop in Eau Gallie. Ben got some work done to his bike and we ate lunch in the parking lot. There was no charge for the bike work so we were grateful and praising the Lord. After lunch Ben tested his bike out and it was better. Not great but better.

The rest of the day he dealt with bike issues but thanks to a strong tailwind we were able to put in over a hundred miles and make it to the campground in Ft. Pierce just after nightfall. We had out headlamps and taillights so it wasn't a problem. Because of the strong winds Jen was only able to set up one tent. When we got there I determined that it was too windy to start up the gas stove so we went to McDonald's. It was nice to get some chicken wraps, iced coffee and ice cream.

We got back to the campsite and set up our tent. The wind was still blowing strong so we worked together to get it set up. After doing so we settled in for a time of reading before drifting off to sleep. The strong wind whipped our tent in such a way that I was reminded of a couple of nights on my GTD ride and my time in the bush in Tanzania. I sleep well in those conditions and a good night's sleep was needed after a long day of riding.

WINTER BIKE RIDE - St. Augustine to Titusville, FL

Today started early! We awoke just after 5am so we could get cleaned up, eat breakfast and start pedaling by 6:30am. The reason we wanted to leave early was so we could stop at the Beachside Church in Ormond Beach for their 10am service. We just made it. We actually met Jen, the boys and Maria Jones at the Starbucks just before Beachside. Thanks to Maria's mom we were able to get a large iced coffee, she gave us a Gift card to use for our trip PTL!

The service at Beachside was great and it was great to see good friends Robbie and Greg. After service we went to lunch at Ruby Tuesdays. Ben's girlfriend and family came to see us, it was awesome to finally meet Caroline and her family.

As much as we enjoyed visiting we knew we had to start pedaling again so we could make it to the KOA in Titusville. Ben had some bike issues along the way but we finally arrived late afternoon. By the time we got there Jen had the tents up so all we had to do was clean up, eat dinner and settle in for the night. As we settled in we were prepared for the cooler temperatures that would greet us in the morning. It had been a great day despite Ben's bike issues. God continues to take care of us.

WINTER BIKE RIDE - Fernandina Beach to St. Augustine,FL

I was glad we were not in a rush to start the ride. We woke up to cold, rain and wind. We took out time to eat breakfast and get our gear together. After doing so the weather had improved. We unloaded our bikes, took care of final riding matters, prayed and departed. It was great to get riding!

Jen and the boys went on ahead. They would keep us posted as to what was a head. The ride down A1A was pretty as we passed Big and Little Talbot State Parks. We met up with Jen and the boys at the Ferry that would take us to Mayport. It was a nice and relaxing break.

After Mayport we began to deal with the traffic of the Jacksonville area. No problems PTL! We met up with Jen and the boys at Ponte Vedra Beach so we could eat lunch. Having a support van and crew is great. After lunch we began our put to Anastasia Island State Park.

Once we arrived in Villano Beach we knew it was just a matter of time till we reached camp. We crossed the bridge to St. Augustine and then enjoyed the sites along the way. We rode by the Fort and into town. The traffic moves slowly so it is easy to navigate downtown.

After seeing downtown we knew that it was time to get to camp. Jen and the boys had camp all set up so all we had to do was clean up and enjoy dinner. We cooked up some hamburgers, hotdogs and baked beans. It was awesome!

Day 1 went well. We knew that day 2's ride to Titusville would be longer and more of a challenge. We were looking forward to that.