After a couple of 2 day Prep Rides the calendar opened up and allowed for a 4 day Prep Ride from Apopka to Ft. Pierce and back. Why this Route? The opportunity to share about Campus House opened up in Ft. Pierce so C and I decided it would be good to do and a good time for a 4 day Ride. It was too far from Gainesville so I decided to drive to mom's house and ride from there.
Getting out of Orlando is always busy and exciting but I like the energy. The weather forcast called for rain, it hit hard in Narcoossee! Once on 192 the rain quit and the ride to Melbourne was long, boring and uneventful. I stopped for a late lunch at Camp Holly Airboat Rides, great place to chill and chat with nice people. It was nice to get to Melbourne to reenergize and make my way to my hotel. Weeks before the ride I tried to find a Campground but they were either full or required a 2 night stay.
After a great night's sleep I set out early for Ft. Pierce. There was a chill in the air and a light rain. Fortunately the wind was with me so that helped a lot. I crossed the bridge to get to Melbourne Beach, I enjoy crossing bridges and rivers! I rode A1A to Vero Beach then took a Starbucks break. After Starbucks the ride to Ft. Pierce provided some excitement as I encountered road construction the last 5 miles. I determined that I would take a different Route on my return trip.
I arrived at my hotel, settled in, cleaned up and contacted Eddie & Sandy. They have been awesome friends of ours and UFCCH for many years. They are our Ft. Pierce church contact. They picked me up for dinner, it was awesome! After dinner they showed me the church and town before returning to the hotel. It was a fun afternoon and evening!
The next morning they picked me up for church, I had a great time meeting and sharing with many new friends. I was blessed to meet a new friend from Haiti who established a ministry north of PAP, we had a great chat.
After a quick lunch and goodbye I changed into my riding gear and began the afternoon trek back to Melbourne. I found a Route to A1A that was construction free. This afternoon ride would simulate a few of the upcoming GTD '20 Sunday afternoon rides. I plan to cover 50-55 miles on these rides. It was a good ride back, I crossed over the bridge to Melbourne just as the sun was setting, beautiful! As I thought about the upcoming afternoon rides I realized they would be post Spring Forward so I would have more daylight to ride in, happy thought!
I stayed in the same Melbourne hotel, the Staff was awesome! They had a room off the lobby that I could store my bike in, it was great. I grabbed something to eat before shutting it down for the night, I knew the ride back to Orlando would present quite a challenge due to the mileage, warm temperature and long stretch of nothing.
The above challenges did materialize and in addition to them there was a navagational challenge (thanks Google Maps), the challenge of stop and go on Highway 50 and the challenge of Winter Park's brick streets. The highlight of the day was my riding time on the Little Econ Greenway.
This 4 day Prep Ride tested my legs, my physical and mental endurance. It put to rest some of my concerns and gave me more confidence as GTD '20 gets close.
I hope to get in one more Prep Ride before GTD '20, we'll see if the calendar allows it.
