GTD '26 Day 1

My 2026 Go The Distance Fundraising Bike Ride began at the Stephen Foster Memorial Monument in Fargo, GA.  Why?  Because I originally I was going to ride the Florida Divide Route but after looking at the Route I decided that I would ride some of the Route but deviate from the Route to visit family, friends of UFCCH and UFCCH Alumni.

 

My neighbor drove me to the Monument so I could begin my journey.  After snapping a few photos I began my ride to Lake City.  It was blue skies and mid 80's.  The first hours were in the countryside on decent roads.  My Route research indicated that I would transition from asphalt to dirt at some point.  When the transition it occurred it was on to a spongy dirt road.  

The road was slow going but the countryside was beautiful and peaceful.  I finally got back on to asphalt and into White Springs, my first resupply stop and stop for lunch.  Lunch was really good, I washed down some fried fish, mashed potatoes and mac n cheese with a Mtn. Dew Code Red.

During lunch I enjoyed chatting with Adrian who was out for his daily long walk as he prepared for an upcoming 72 mile Walking Event.  We chatted about my Ride, Campus Ministry and Church.  Very pleasant.  As we were finishing up he inquired about my Route to FCC Lake City.  I showed him the Route on the Google Maps Bike Map.  He suggested a different Route that would have a bike lane.  It was a good ride into Lake City and on to the Church's Guest House.  Seth said it would be open and after I got cleaned up we would go to dinner.

Dinner and visitation with Seth & Erin at Texas Roadhouse was awesome.  After dinner they gave me a tour of the Worship Center, very nice.  After the tour it was time to ready myself for the next day's ride to Gainesville (home)  and get some rest.  Good first day.