GTD '22 The Ride

 THE TREK TO PENSACOLA

Sunday, May 15, 2022

Brad and I loaded up our bikes and gear, we were ready to head to Pensacola to begin GTD '22 The Ride.  Thiago are driver was excited about delivering us to Pensacola, eyeballing Pensacola Beach and returning home.  

The drive was uneventful till just outside of Pensacola when a terrible storm broke out.  Hard rain, wind, lightening, hail...it was very unnerving for Thiago as well as us.  We found a place off the Interstate to shelter from the hail for a bit.  After the hail ceased, we made our way into Pensacola to our hotel.  Thiago helped us unload and get to our room then he set out to spend the night with relatives.  

Brad and I made heads and tails of all our stuff and loaded up as much as possible so that we could set out after the sun woke up the next morning.  The night before the start of a Ride is a restless night because of everything that is running through your mind.  All in all it was a decent nights rest.

Monday, May 16, 2022

Day 1 of any GTD Ride is putting into practice everything that was practiced during training.  We woke up early and decided that the Starbucks next to the hotel would be our breakfast, THANKS to everyone who blesses my GTD Rides with Starbucks Cards!  We got a breakfast item and iced coffee.  We took a photo or two then headed south on 98 to Pensacola Beach.  The bridge from Pensacola to Gulf Breeze was awesome, I love riding bridges and along the water.  Another shorter bridge led us to Pensacola Beach where Thiago surprised us.  He was waiting in the Pensacola Beach Parking Lot as we approached, he wanted to see us before he headed back to Gainesville.  We chatted a bit then carried on with our journeys.

It was energizing riding along the Gulf on 399.  We went through the Gulf Islands National Seashore, there is nothing there except the ocean, dunes, birds....  Before crossing over the Santa Rosa Sound on 399 we stopped at Tom Thumb for some cold fluids.  We crossed the Sound and headed east on 98.

For lunch we decided to stop in Mary Esther to eat and enjoy a hydromassage at Planet Fitness.  The hydromassage was awesome, the lunch options at the Santa Rosa Mall Food Court were limited so we got a little something and continued our trek to Miramar Beach.

Riding through Destin is always exciting as the traffic picks up.  Fortunately, the bike lane is decent.  Brad decided he needed some gloves so we made our way to Robin's Bikes & Fitness, what a great shop with great people.  Brad bought some gloves then we headed to our hotel.  After checking in and cleaning up we went downstairs for dinner.  After dinner we looked at the Route for the next day and called it a night.  Day 1 went well PTL!

Tuesday, May 17, 2022

We were excited for Day 2 until I realized I had a flat tire.  I had the tools and tubes so no worries right?  I had never changed a flat on my Salsa, wow!  It was so difficult to get the tire off and on after inserting a new tube.  I began to inflate with a CO2 and I realized I hadn’t gotten the tube situated in the tire right.  It pinched and went flat.

I realized I would need to go to Robin’s and seek help.  Robin is amazing!  These tires are extremely difficult to deal with but he has great experience.  He put in a new tube and gave me some tips if this should happen again.

I let Brad know I was on my way back so he was ready to roll to Lynn Haven once I loaded up.

It was another day of riding along the Gulf.  As we entered popular areas for tourists the car and foot traffic picked up.  We stopped for lunch at a popular street market, it took awhile to get food.  Due the late start I was feeling some pressure because we had dinner plans w/ Marc, Luci & Andrea.

The ride through Seaside, Laguna Beach and Panama City Beach were nice but busy.  Once we crossed the bridge into Panama City on our way to Lynn Haven we were immersed in city traffic which was fine when we had a bike lane.  The last few miles to Marc’s we were without a bike lane, it was a bit tight at tines.  I finally could relax when we turned into his subdivision.  We timed it just right, we met Marc at the Gate.

We got to the house, got settled, got cleaned up and then headed out to dinner.  It was great to see Andrea again, Josh stayed home on kid duty.

After dinner we slept like babies!   

Wednesday, May 18, 2022

After a couple of days of good riding Brad decided to not only ride but drive Support.  After an awesome breakfast Marc took Brad to pick up a rental vehicle and I started pedaling toward Mexico Beach where we could connect with family for an early lunch.  The ride out of Lynn Haven was much nicer than the ride in, I will remember this route for future rides into Lynn Haven.

After a resupply stop I began the ride through Tyndall AFB, it was awesome!  I got to see all kinds of planes doing all kinds of maneuvers.  As much as I enjoy the airshow each time I ride through I know that no services are available till leaving the Base.  I entered Mexico Beach and found Larry & Sherry outside the Coffee Shop.  Brad had just arrived so it was perfect timing for coffee, muffins and fellowship.

After visiting for a bit and being spoiled by Larry & Sherry it was time to pedal toward Apalachicola.  Brad and I made a plan for the afternoon.  He would go ahead of me for a bit and then with about 20 miles to ride he would go park at the hotel and ride back to meet me and ride into Apalachicola.  The plan worked well and I was happy to have company the final 5-10 miles, I was feeling a bit tired.

After checking in and cleaning up we went out for an awesome dinner in the quaint Apalachicola downtown area.  Tomorrow we will leave the coast and head inland to Tallahassee.

Thursday, May 19, 2022

I knew today was going to be a long, challenging ride into Tallahassee so I started out around 5am.  The ride across the East Bay in the moonlight was spectacular.  Once in Eastpoint I found a convenience store and grabbed some breakfast.  This morning would be the last time I rode along the coast till Cocoa Beach so I soaked it in.  

As much as I missed riding along the coast the ride up 319 was nice, until 20 miles outside of Tallahassee.  It was getting hot and hilly.  I stopped for fluids and a shot of Protein before hitting the roller coaster into Tally.  Brad went on to park at the hotel and caught up with me at Dunkin in Tally, I was enjoying AC and a Refresher.  

The last 20 miles were brutal so I was so happy to see the long downhill on 90 that would take us right to the hotel.  I knew that after a rough afternoon I would be ready to get off the bike, clean up and find some awesome food to refuel for tomorrow's ride to Live Oak.  All tasks were accomplished and a good night's sleep was had by all.

Friday, May 20, 2022

Today's ride on 90 was a repeat of a couple of other GTD days so I knew what was to come.  Lots of countryside and small towns that included a climb up to the center point of each town.  The ride on 90 through Monticello, Greenville and Madison is one of my favorites in the state.  I knew that I would hit the McDonalds in Madison for lunch, it was where I sat out a bad thunder and lightening storm during GTD '08.

Brad caught up with me just after daylight so I let him know about the plan for lunch.  Before lunch though I made a Dollar General (DG) stop in Greenville.  It's so awesome to have so many DGs in small towns that I cycle through.  We met up at McDonalds for lunch then I began the push to Live Oak.  After Brad parked at the hotel and rode back to me we realized that a storm was brewing and we would need to push it to get to the hotel before it broke loose.  We made it just in time!  Shortly after checking in the heavens opened up, we were happy to be safe inside.

The storm passed so we checked out a Steakhouse that was new to me, it was awesome.  After dinner we chatted about the next day's Plan.  Brad would have to go on early to return the vehicle to the Rental Company in Gainesville.  Before doing so he would have to transition all of our stuff from the Rental to his truck.  

Saturday, May 21, 2022

Today's ride to Gainesville was also a GTD repeat ride.  I knew there wasn't much between Live Oak and Lake City other than a convenience store stop to resupply.  In Lake City I would use my Starbucks Card for food and drink.  After that I would ride 441 into Gainesville.  

Brad transitioned everything to his truck and returned the Rental.  When he met up with me on 441 I told him that I wanted to introduce him to Conestogas in Alachua, it would be an epic lunch stop.  Until then I would enjoy the countryside ride down 441 and through High Springs.  We met up in the parking lot across from Conestogas and enjoyed a great lunch.

My mileage was good so after lunch I decided to ride in the truck with Brad to my house.  Once there I greeted C and began the process of unloading my stuff from Brad's truck, he would be heading out to meet up with his family for some well deserved R&R in FL.  I would stay home for a few days to make sure C was taken care of and then set out for south Florida.  I was looking forward to the time with C, time off the bike and taking care of preparations for the next leg of the GTD '22 journey.

Tuesday, May 24, 2022

After a few days of making sure C was set and I was prepared for the second half of my Ride I set out for The Villages.  After a Starbucks stop I continued down 13th St. which is 441.  After passing UF there are a mix of businesses and mostly local hotels before Paynes Prairie.  Paynes Prairie is a really nice ride now that road construction is complete.  The new asphalt is awesome as is the extended bike lane.  I always enjoy spotting gators, birds, wild horses....  After Paynes Prairie it's a mix of countryside and small towns until The Villages.  This allows for resupply as needed.  

I arrived at the hotel and contacted the Jenkins from Fairway CC to see what plans were in place for the evening.  Dinner at a Mexican Restaurant and visitation was on the Agenda.  Morgan is an avid bike rider so she was interested in the Ride and I was interested in their upcoming RV Trip West.  We had a great dinner and time of visitation before returning back to the hotel.  Tomorrow I will continue down 441 to Apopka and stay at my mom's house.

Wednesday, May 25, 2022

I rested well so I was ready to hit the road early.  I stopped at the Starbucks on the way out of The Villages for breakfast.  I knew the Route well so I had in mind where I would stop for lunch and what Starbucks were along the way so I could enjoy some iced coffee.

Passing through Lady Lake and Fruitland Park seems to take no time at all but Leesburg seems to take forever!  The upside to Leesburg is the abundance of everything.  The Starbucks just past the College is always a good caffein refueling spot.  There are some decent ups and downs going past Mount Dora before the final mostly flat stretch through Zellwood which leads into Apopka.   Zellwood always brings to mind the Sweet Corn Festival we attended years back, great food and entertainment.

Once in Downtown Apopka it's not much further to mom's.  She is always relieved when I arrive safely, which I did.  We grabbed some dinner after I cleaned up and then spent some time on the Route to Cocoa Beach, it looks as though I will be off road some.  Looking forward to that!

Thursday, May 26, 2022

I enjoyed my time at mon's but I departed early in order to avoid some of the downtown Orlando traffic.  I hit up a Dunkin' Donuts in College Park before weaving my way through neighborhoods that led me to an awesome Greenway that led me to East Orlando.    I haven't spent a lot of time in East Orlando so I was pleasantly pleased to be introduced to a new self contained community before heading out into the countryside.

Before the countryside though my Google Maps Route led me off road on a powerline trail.  I had to navigate a fence or two before returning to the road.  I was on paved and gravel roads cutting through farmlands and then I came upon road construction that shut down the road.  The workers indicated that they could help me negotiate a path around and continue on.  One of the workers asked why I was riding on a Private Road.  I showed him my Google Maps Bike Route and he said Google Maps shouldn't have directed me down that road.  The other workers waved me through so I hurried along and rode the last 3 miles to Hwy. 50.  It was getting warm so I was so excited to see a convenience store shortly after getting on 50.  I was craving some ice cold root beer so I loaded up my insulated mugs and set out for Cocoa Beach.  

I have ridden this stretch of road before, nothing too exciting.  I did enjoy an iced coffee at Starbucks before checking into my hotel and letting Marvin and Pam know that I had arrived, they were going to pick me up for dinner.

Dinner with Marvin & Pam was great, they have been so supportive of all my GTD Rides.  I have enjoyed riding with Marvin a time or two throughout the years.  After dinner I made sure all that needed charging was plugged in and I drifted off to sleep.  Tomorrow I will make my way down the coast just past Vero Beach.

Friday, May 27th, 2022

Overnight I was getting reports of tropical storm weather moving into south Florida.  I also double checked my Route and saw that it would be a 92 mile ride to Port St. Lucie.  Because of that I decided on early to bed early to rise.  

I departed Cocoa Beach around 2:30am and began my trek down the Atlantic Coast in the dark.  After about an hour I stopped at Circle K for a donut and a Monster Loca Moca.  After about another I hour I stopped at Planet Fitness for a hydromassage.  Neither stop energized me like I had hoped so I knew a 92 mile day on my loaded gravel bike would be quite the challenge.  I had alerted a friend in Vero Beach that I might need to call on him for some help, I did.  He was able to assist me in getting to my hotel in Port St. Lucie.

As Mama C and I  monitored the storm we decided it best to not ride into it and make a plan for GTD '22 Extra Time sometime in the Fall or Winter.  It was a bummer to stop at this point but it was the best decision.  In the next day or two friends from south Florida were writing saying that they missed seeing me but glad that we had made the decision to play it safe.

GTD '22 had some awesome aspects to the ride.  Riding with Brad from Pensacola to Gainesville was cool.  Visiting CCH Alumni in Lynn Haven and then family in Mexico Beach was awesome.  Seeing my family in Orlando and then time with Marvin & Pam was awesome.  My Trail Angel in Vero Beach was quite the blessing!

Now it's time to begin thinking about GTD '22 Extra Time and GTD '24 which is tentatively set for Michigan.

Thanks to everyone who Supported my Ride financially and prayerfully.  Thanks to everyone who took care of me along the way and encouraged me day by day.  Lord willing there is more to come.

GTD '22 Training Week

 Early March Thiago (Brazil) and I set out for East Tennessee & Virginia to see family and friends and do some GTD '22 Training on the Virgina Section of the Trans America Bike Route.

Saturday some friends treated us to a Firetower Hike at Bays Mtn. State Park, very challenging and beautiful.

After Sunday worship at Boones Creek CC we visited friends at Grace CC in Kingsport before I began a short ride (36 miles) from Kingsport, TN to Abingdon, VA.  I ride and Thiago supports me in the vehicle.  After departing Kingsport we met up in Bristol, TN to "talk Route" before entering Virginia and proceeding to Abingdon.  It was a nice ride and ended up in the Hampton Inn Parking Lot.  After settling in and cleaning up we headed out to enjoy hydromassage at Planet Fitness and dinner.  It was a good start to the GTD '22 Week of

Mornings come early during any multi day Bike Ride or Training Week.  Breakfast 5:30am or 6am.  Load up and then begin riding or driving to where the ride will begin.  Day 2 began in Damascus, VA and it was chilly which was okay with me.  I knew after leaving Damascus there would a lot of climbing up to Mt. Rogers then after that there it would be downhill with occasional bumps all the way to Ft. Chiswell.  The ride was beautiful and challenging.  Riding along the river was great.  No real problem with traffic but I was without cell service for several hours so Mama C got concerned.  Once back in range I debriefed her the previous hours.  I shared with her about the Trail spottings and crossings I encountered.  For awhile the Virginia Creeper Trail was alongside me and I crossed over the Appalachian Trail at least once.

After riding through Rural Retreat I found an awesome lunch spot on the corner of Main St. and Lee Highway, The Dutch Pantry.  I had an awesome sandwich and root beer.  Thiago found me but wasn't hungry because he had been snacking as he was driving.  The ride through Wytheville brought back memories of my East Coast Bike Ride when I passed through, riding south, on my way to Kingsport, TN.

Between Wytheville and Ft. Chiswell there was nice countryside but a nasty long climb after Max Meadows.  I was happy to reach the top and then cruise in to the Hampton Inn just past I 81.  No sooner did I get settled under cover in the entryway when the heavens opened up and it began to rain hard.  Thiago pulled up shortly thereafter and we moved in once the rain lightened up.  We got cleaned up, went out for dinner and then called it a night.  It was a good day on the Trans Am Bike Route.

Day 3 started off with a temperature of 29F.  Cold but no problem because my cold weather gear is awesome.  I was excited about today because we would be meeting up with Phil Parker and family for lunch in Christiansburg.  The ride to Christiansburg was really nice and included a fair amount of ups and downs.  It was about 10 miles outside of Christiansburg when I encountered Evergreen Rd., the first stretch of road where I had to dismount and push because it was so steep.  After pushing for about 20 yards or so I was able to start riding again.  Phil and I were texting so that he would know when to arrive at the Restaurant.  After Evergreen Rd. there were quite a few hills on the way to the Restaurant but that didn't set our lunch time back too much.

Lunch with Phil and family was awesome, always great to have time with Phil.  I have known Phil since he was an Elementary School Camper at the Christian Camp in East Tennessee.  Phil and family served in Thailand for many years and I had the great opportunity to visit them twice there.  Now Phil is serving International Students at Virginia Tech so catching up and sharing about ministry is always something I look forward to.

Phil gave me a preview of what the Route looked like between Christiansburg and Catawba, it sounded challenging but really nice countryside.  It was challenging but in a different way than the day before.  The day before there were long ascents and descents.  This day it was a lot of short steep climbs followed by short descents so there never was a lot of recovery time.  Finally, about 5 miles outside of Catawba Thiago and I met up, loaded up and drove over the mountain to Salem.  

Salem is home to many family on my wife's side.  Thiago and I met up with Uncle Tom for dinner, it was great fun!

The next morning was wet.  We hit Planet Fitness for a hydromassage then drove to Catawba to begin the ride to Lexington.  The day was overcast but no rain at this time.  That all changes as I approached Troutville.  It was more like a hard mist instead of a hard rain.  I met Thiago at Sheetz for something hot to drink and a snack.  After Sheetz I missed a left turn and rode an extra few miles.  Once I saw I 81 ahead of me I turned back and found the turn I missed.  

There was some really nice countryside riding on the way to Buchanan.  There I made a plan with Thiago to meet him in Natural Bridge where we would turn off the busy Lee Highway and head out to the countryside.  

The countryside was nice but I was excited to be approaching Lexington, the home of VMI.  The city of Lexington looked very much like a college town, it was a cool surprise.  The city led me right through the heart of VMI, really cool!  I rejected back to the time Celeste and I were at VMI to share in her cousin Kevin’s wedding, good times.  By now the sky was looking angry and the traffic was picking up.  I climbed a hill and crossed over the Interstate and found Euby Tuesdays, this would be our dinner and stopping spot for the day.  Thiago caught up with me and I introduced him to the Ruby Tuesdays Garden Bar, it was great.  After dinner we made our way to our hotel for a good night’s rest because tomorrow is the climb up Mount Vesuvius!

After a good night’s rest it was time to tackle Mount Vesuvius!  We drove to the church at the base of Vesuvius and I got everything together and mounted my trusty steed.  Before the trip I considered changing out my rear cassette for a 11x30 but didn’t.  Not sure if a 30 would made a huge difference but the 11x28 I was running was truly insufficient.  

I rode the first mile and thought to myself, “this is ok”. Just after that thought I hit the wall.  What a grade, what a climb.  I soon was off the bike pushing.  Thiago came alongside me and I let him know I needed to change to my running shoes.  After the shoe switch I pushed until I could ride again which was toward the top.  I was elated to see the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP) Bridge, I made it!  It took me 1 hour and 15 minutes to cover approximately 3 1/2 miles.

I started on the BRP and pulled off at the first Overlook to switch back to cycling shoes.  Thiago was loving the beauty and amazed that I pushed up most of Vesuvius instead of hitching a ride.  I told him TABR riders had to do it so I had no choice but to get to the top no matter how long it took or how difficult it was.

I loved the ride on the BRP!  It was tough but fair.  Challenging climbs and awesome descents.  I had been in touch with the Bike House in Afton and scheduled a visit so we could immerse ourself in TABR history, it was awesome to see room after room of notes and memorabilia from TABR Racers and Riders from all over the world.  

After soaking in the history and chatting with the Bike House Caretaker we determined it was time to get riding again.  I wanted to get to Charlottesville by 4 or 5pm so we could load up and head off route to my brother’s house in Powhatan.  After leaving the Bike House I chose the wrong fork in the road and went down past some trailers and barking dogs before I realized my mistake.  I turned around and rode back up past the trailers and barking dogs to the correct fork in the road.

After a screaming downhill descent past the Afton PO that many TABR racers have slept in, the Route  leveled out a bit before starting the continuous climb to White Hall.  I didn’t stop at the White Hall Store but as soon as I spotted it I was taken back to the scene in “Inspired to Ride” where TABR ‘14 Winner Mike Hall stopped in to refuel and chat with the locals.  RIP Mike!

After a lot of ups and downs and a missed turn just before tge Charlottesville City Limit I met up with Thiago and we loaded up and headed toward my brother’s house.  All in all it was a good day despite a couple of missed turns.  The ride on the BRP and the visit to the Bike House offset the missed turns frustration.

After a great dinner with my brother and his family we called it a night so we could get up extra early to drive to Kents Store to begin the ride to Mechanicsville.

After stopping for petrol and a drive thru breakfast we made our way to Kents Store which is in the countryside.  We arrived and found a gravel lot to park in while I got everything together to begin my next to the last days ride.

I set out and enjoyed the scenery on this cool morning.  After a brief encounter with a few small dogs I saw the next city ahead of me.  Something didn’t seem right and that was confirmed when I saw Welcome to Palmyra, I had ridden west instead of east!  Not sure how I got turned around but I did.  I immediately called Thiago and let him know I had messed up and needed him to come get me.  While waiting for him at a store I restocked my snacks and studied the map.

Thiago arrived and I loaded my bike on the rack and we headed back to Kents Store.  We returned to the same gravel lot and I unloaded my bike and began pedaling east. After a bit I crossed under I 64 and enjoyed a scenic ride through Mineral, VA, to my lunch stop at the Elk Creek country Store.  Lunch was awesome!  I addressed some saddle sore issues after lunch and began the push to Mechanicsville where we would meet up with my uncle and nephew.  

Right away I was riding through some fingers of Lake Anna, it was beautiful.  As the ride went on I was starting to feel the effects of the extra miles I rode to Palmyra.  As the day went on and I arrived in Ashland I decided to stop at a Starbucks for a boost and call it a day so we could get to my uncle’s house at dinner time.

Shortly after arriving and unloading we got cleaned up and waited a few minutes on my nephew who was riding up from the Yorktown area.  He was going to ride with me to the Victory Monument in Yorktown the next day.  It was long before he arrived and was ready to head out to dinner.  We had an awesome Mexican meal!  

We awoke the next morning to rain, wind, lightening and to a temperature that was falling, snow was in the forecast.  As much as we hated ti we decided just to drive the Route to the Monument. It wasn’t all bad, we had a great visit.  We arrived at the Monument, parked and walked over to see it up close.  It was cold, windy & freezing!  We viewed the Monument for a few minutes and rushed back to the warmth of the car.

We took my nephew to his vehicle and then we went out to lunch.  After lunch and saying goodbye Thiago set out for a hotel that was just off the Interstate.  On the way the snow started falling and Thiago got excited.  After checking into the hotel he took some time to enjoy the snow while I settled in for the night and processing the week of riding the Trans America Bike Route through much of Virginia.

After a week of riding the drive home had a different rhythm.  Pedaling had been replaced with driving. Covering 68 miles a day was replace with covering lots of ground through several states.  The drive home was was broken up with an early dinner date with CCH Alumni.  It was a great dinner and time of visitation.  We didn’t visit too too long because we had another 3 hours to drive.  It was great to get back to Gainesville, drop Thiago off, get home, unload and see Celeste.  We chatted a bit about the week’s journey and faded off for a good nights rest.

The week of riding was challenging but awesome.  It was great to see family and friends along the way. Thiago was a rockstar as he supported me the entire way.  Overall it was a great journey for the both of us.

Looking forward to the next one!