Following the Susquehanna

This is a shot of the Susquehanna River which meanders through PA and southern NY. As mentioned previously, I followed it through PA as a way to minimize big climbs in the mountains. Since it does meander it added miles to the trip but it was the right way to go. Speaking of mileage, I arrived in Syracuse last evening and the total trip covered 1996  miles. More stats once I calculate them.

Back in NY

Long day but back in NY. Thunderstorms cleared in Wilkes Barre at about 10am so I started then and rode in the rain for two hours. Followed the Susquehanna up through Tunkhannock and then back through East Milford and eventually to Binghamton. 89 miles total. Staying at Bob and Barb Martin's.  Another trip first; after picking me up at a designated location just North of Binghamton they took me directly to a bar for Carbo reloading before a shower. Tasillo's, Cywiko's, Paul's, you know the bar; it's the one we go to after the bowling tournament, the Wine Cellar. Looking like I'm home tomorrow.

Roving Pit Crew

This is my roving pit crew Mark and Maryann. They met me in Carlisle PA where we spent a luxurious evening at Motel 6. Remember Maryann it's a new experience. After a day at Gettysburg they met me again in Danville PA. Does this mean I have groupies? Anyway the plan of following river valleys through the PA mountains is working great. To my surprise the roads in PA have been great; wide shoulders, good surface. In Wilkes Barre tonight; had to quit a little early today due impending thunderstorms and because I broke more spokes. Found a good bike shop so I'm good to go. Lightning expected to last well into tomorrow so I may lose a day. Best guess, home Saturday.

Mason Dixon

Could tell I was near the Mason Dixon line when I saw my first covered bridge. Landed in Carlisle PA last night and met up with my friends Mark and MaryAnn Cywilko for dinner. Had another flat and a brake problem which slowed me down; 68 miles today. Into the mountains today. Going to follow the Susquehanna River valley hoping that will keep the elevation down. Stay tuned.

Northern Virginia

Lots of horse farms in Northern Va. This is typical. Left Warrenton just after dawn to avoid projected late afternoon t-storms. Worked pretty well; no rain until I was within five miles of the hotel. 75 miles yesterday; Carlisle PA today, weather dependent.

Charlottesville Pit Crew

My Charlottesville pit crew sending me off well fed and rested. As you can see Conor wanted to come with me and John had to restrain him. Had a tough time getting into any sort of rhythm. Can't whine about the wind; it was behind me. Being in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains there were quite a few big hills but don't think that was it either. I'm convinced the meals I've had the last couple days have put me into withdrawal from gas station food. 70 miles today and staying in Warrenton VA. Hope to hit Maryland tomorrow but the weather looks like it may not cooperate; more severe t-storms forecast.

Recharging in Charlottesville

Getting some tips from my grandson Conor. Miserable weather here today so looks like I'll hit the road again Saturday. Spent some time at the library today trying to find the best path through the mountains in PA. Conclusion: there is no good way.

Charlottesville

Arrived at my son John's place in Charlottesville VA today where I will spend some time visiting with my grandson Conor, John, and Christine. This picture gives you an idea of the rolling terrain here in the Blue Ridge foothills. 83 miles today.

Virginia

Crossed into Virginia today. At one point this was the best road my GPS could find. Fortunately it only lasted about 1.5 miles. Staying in Keysville VA tonight about 80 miles due South of Charlottesville. Will arrive there tommorrow If the weather cooperates. 95 miles today.

First Crash

In Louisburg NC tonight, NE of Raleigh. Had my first crash today. Cleat on my shoe slipped as I stood on the peddles to begin a hill climb and down I went. Scraped my left knee on the road and put the chain ring through the back of my right calf in about six spots. Not as bad as it sounds. Cleaned it up,  hit it with neosporin and I was fine the rest of the day.

The picture is what you see in alot of the convenience stores right next to the Gatorade (OK it's a slow picture day and no, this did not cause the crash) Only 67 miles today. On to Virginia tomorrow.

Tornadoes

This is where I stayed in Holden Beach NC on Thursday night. I wish the pictures I took overlooking the dunes and the ocean did it justice but not even close. Thanks again to my host Patty and Laurie Ascenzo for arranging it. It was a real treat. Friday it was on to Wilmington where I holed up in a Red Roof Inn due to tornado warnings. The weather forced me to take a day off Saturday which I wasn't too upset about since I'd ridden 10 days straight up to that point. Finally got out this morning (Sunday) and made it up to Goldsboro NC, 91 miles. Should get close to Virginia tomorrow.

#4 - North Carolina

Made it into North Carolina yesterday but not without a struggle. Only 61 miles but probably the hardest day yet; strong headwind the whole way. Stayed in Holden Beach at a beautiful beach house overlooking the dunes and the ocean. Will try to get some pictures but I'm sure they won't do it justice. The house belongs to Patty and Skip Klapheke. For you Syracuse folks, Patty is Laurie Ascenzo's sister. Thanks Laurie, Patty, and Skip. Spent last night plotting a route to Charlottesville. Looks like I'll be headed up rt 421 cutting between Greensboro and Raleigh. Won't miss South Carolina. Met some nice people but the roads were awful. They apparently don't believe in shoulders. So far North Carolina has been better; hope it lasts.

Milestone

Broke 1000 miles today, 1029 to be exact. Picture is me in line for a ferry. TSA made me empty one of my panniers (near a naval base). ln Conway SC tonight, NW of Myrtle beach. 87 miles today; North Carolina early tomorrow, up to Wilmington then away from the coast towards Richmond and Charlottesville.

South Carolina

It's amazing how much the vegetation has changed as I've moved a little North. This is about 100 miles into South Carolina just West of Charleston. It was palms and oaks in Florida, pine in Georgia, and to me this looks a lot like upstate NY, in the Adirondack foothills. Pretty wiped after yesterday so did a very slow 61 miles today. First two hours in rain then clear and much cooler. In Moncks Corners tonight. Hope to hit North Carolina in a couple days.

South Carolina

Either I took a major wrong turn or there really is a Switzerland South Carolina. I'd be willing to bet no one reading this has ever been there. Something doesn't seem right about Switzerland, SC; sort of like Florida having a hockey team. Anyways, another 90+ day, did 88 miles, wound up in Waltersboro, SC. Supposed to cool down tommorrow.

Savannah

Leaving Savannah, Georgia today on the South Carolina border. Had another hot and slow day yesterday; 65 miles. No good pictures from yesterday so I recycled this one from Northeastern Florida. Lots of roads like this; no shoulders but little or no traffic. Nice riding

One State Down

Crossed into Georgia about ten am; total mileage in Florida - 666. (note: this picture was taken by a young couple I ran into this am who were headed for Brunswick on fully loaded bikes) I went a little further to Darien Ga.  This area set a record temperature today of 91. Looks like more of the same for at least two more days. Total mileage today, 75. Total for the trip so far, 729.

Expect to be in South Carolina Monday.

Not a Moment Too Soon

Found this shortly after leaving the campground. Inspired all day. The heat's back but the hills are gone. North of Jacksonville last nightafter a 73 mile day. Last night in Florida. Will hit Georgia early today.

Did I Mention I Switched Bikes?

Just kidding but I was tempted today. It was actually a good news/bad news day. After the front passed the temperature dropped but the wind shifted so I had a stiff headwind all day. Made it back to the Right Coast, just above Ormond Beach after getting my first flat 75 miles into my 76 mile ride. Straight North tomorrow through St. Augustine and on to Jacksonville.

Mountains in Florida?

Today I found a 'mountain' in Florida; Mt. Sugarloaf, elevation 308 ft. (it is actually shown on the map as a mountain). 74 miles today; good day but 90+ again. Got a hotel room tonight because severe thunderstorms are predicted. If the weather clears I should hit the Right Coast tomorrow just above Ormond Beach.

Hills in Florida?

If anyone tells you there aren't any hills in Florida, they're lying. The hills, the 90 degree temperature, and one wrong turn, made for a tough day yesterday at 84 miles. Now that it's over I view it as a good training day. The humor for the day was that I was stopped twice by people asking for directions. On to Ocala National Forest today. (think it's in Paisley)

Punta Gorda Pit Crew

Penny and Mike Boismenu, my Punta Gorda pit crew at the condo/marina facility where they are suffering through the winter. Not only did they send me off this morning well fed and rested, but I got to experience an Elvis/Four Seasons/Sinatra/etc. Impersonator from Chicago and we had a nice get together with some old friends from work. Thanks again Penny and Mike!

Good day on the bike - 70 miles. Staying at a municipal campground in Zolfo Springs (see if you can find that on a map). On to Loughman tommorow, just south and west of DisneyWorld.

Splurging at Sonic

Lunch at Sonic where they have carhops that bring out your order on roller-skates (not rollerblades). Got this one to humor the old guy.

Naples Pit Crew

Doug and Sue Newman my Naples pit crew send me off well fed and rested.

Roughing It

Stayed at college friend Doug Newman's condo in Naples yesterday. This is the clubhouse. Back on the road tomorrow. Thanks to Doug and Sue.

Heading North

Leaving Key West on the ferry to Fort Myers. Only a 50 mile ride today but the heat off the pavement was draining. Day off tomorrow and then heading North in earnest. 175 miles down, ?? to go.

Bridge to Fiesta Key

Shorter trip yesterday (57 miles) Had some minor mechanical difficulty, but found a Home Depot for parts. Tiki bar at the campground, $2.00 drafts. On to Key West this am to get the ferry to Ft. Meyers.

Home Sweet Home - Key Largo

Long ride yesterday, 68 miles. Temperature above average at 90. This was home last night. Hitting the road at 0830, destination Marathon. (For some reason photo is not loading on some browsers, but click on the little box to the left to view image)

Key Largo or bust

Left Coral Gables this am at 0930. Stay tuned.

Insert A into B

Bike back together with no left over parts. At the Corbishley household in Coral Gables (starting at a priest's house makes sense to me.
Plan is to head for Key West on Sat. Morning. Thanks to all for your GENEROUS support.

Ready or Not

Carbo loading at a bar in the Phila airport between flights to Florida. Pumped!!

Thanks to Syracuse Bicycle

Bike has arrived in Florida which makes this a good point to thank the owners and staff at Syracuse Bicycle for their support. In addition to a generous contribution to JDRF they tuned up my bike and let me work with one of their mechanics to learn some finer points of maintenance. I've had my maintenance done there for a while so I can tell you they are very knowledgable. Don't be concerned if your not a racer. They are more than willing to work with all level of cyclists (even slow old guys)

It Begins (sort of)

Shipped my bike to Florida last week. This is what it looked like before I stuck it in the shipping box. I'll be shipping myself next Tuesday and as you can see I've got a lot of reassembly work to do before I can begin. Did you know that nearly 26 million Americans have Diabetes (8.3% of the population). You can help!!

Thank You!!

Thanks to Advance Auto Parts for their generous support.

Look out Lance, here I come

Firming up the final details for my ride from Key West, Florida  back home to Syracuse. Looks like I will begin about March 22. From a conditioning perspective, the timing couldn't be worse. It's tough to stay in good cycling condition this time of year in Syracuse. My plan is to go slow in Florida with a few stops to visit friends. Hopefully some conditioning will kick in by Georgia. You'll have to stay tuned to find out. My other hope is that I'll look a little less like this guy and a little more like Lance by the time I get home. Time will tell.