Crestview to Marianna, Florida (94 miles) Thursday, April 22, 2010

Today was a big day...we rode east on Hwy 90 for 90 miles.  90 on 90!  With the turn to the motel, the total was 94 miles.  Fortunately, the shoulder was smooth, the wind was from the south, and the drivers were courteous.  I guess they must be used to Southern Tier riders!

Yesterday Linda Baldwin, our chef, gave us a reminder (again!) about eating and drinking enough on a long mile ride.  "Eat something every ten miles, and drink two bottles' worth of water for each twenty miles!"  Good advice!

Linda was able to ride today for 35 miles!  She rarely gets to ride at all, and then it is usually only for 20 miles.  When Carol and Lynn pulled up, Linda reluctantly put her bike on the front of the van.  It was fun while it lasted! It takes an afternoon to shop and prepare dinner for 24 people from the back of a trailer!

Jo Ann Bary was our Sag Captain today.  It is a difficult job, especially on a long day when we get so spread out.  I think riding would be less tiring!

I caught Jo Ann Klassen with her water pack strapped to the front of her, under her vest!  Sometimes you just do what you have to do in a pinch.  We kidded her about the appearance, but we all know how it is when you get a back ache on a long ride from a back pack!  She was a good sport about our teasing.

We rode across the Alligator River today, and I was hoping to see some alligators.  All I saw were some cute turtles on a log!

It really was a good ride today.  We started at 6:45 am and arrived in Marianna by 2:00.  Of course, before we got to the motel, we stopped at a McDonald's for a "reward" chocolate shake!

The first thing I did after arriving at the motel was to don my swimming suit and get into the pool!  It was not a heated pool, but after riding 94 miles in 85 degrees, it was wonderful!!  When Amy Dewinski arrived, she kicked off her shoes, socks and helmet and dove in head first!!

Even Mike put on her swimming suit and enjoyed the instant refreshment of the pool!  Of course, she had to put up with the hoots and hollers about her biker tan!!

Being a chef on a cross country ride, cooking for 25 people every day is quite a challenge.  Linda seems to be able to handle it very well.  Linda and Carol do not get any "days off" like we do!  There are times when a chef may need a substitute, usually in an emergency situation.  WomanTours sent Lynn to work with Linda so she can see the routine, shopping, and where everything goes.  Lynn will be with us for a few days to learn the ropes...kind of like a substitute teacher.  She has to be able to jump right in there and take over should the need arise.

So far we have ridden 2,860 miles with only 320 to go!  Tomorrow we have a short ride...only 54 miles!  A week from today, we will be riding into St. Augustine, and we will end our coast to coast ride.

Pensacola to Crestview, Florida (69 miles) Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Today we rode through the city of Pensacola, Florida to wind our way out toward Crestview.  We had a larger group today than usual, mostly because of the many turns we needed to take.  We did not want to miss the turns, and it was easier with the group.  As it turned out, we ended up increasing our speed!  Even the hills were taken more quickly.

We also had to take US highway 90, which required some concentration because it was so busy.  Fortunately, the shoulders were wide and smooth!  We passed by the US 10 bridge, and continued to a town called Milton.  There we rode on a great bike path for about ten miles.

We continued on our route, aided by some tail winds.  I did not stop to take too many photos today.  We were enjoying the fast ride!  We arrived in Crestview at 1:30.

We are planning to get to sleep early tonight.  We have a 94-mile day ahead of us tomorrow to  Marianna, Florida!

Dauphin Island, Alabama to Pensacola, Florida (60 miles) Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Rested after our day off on Dauphin Island, we gathered in the morning.

Today we would ride together for the few miles to the ferry.  We had to be at the ferry landing together so we could ride over to Fort Morgan, Alabama.  After waiting in the ferry line, we boarded for the 30 min ride.

There were dolphins to greet us at the pier!

Once we got off the ferry at Fort Morgan, it wasn't long before we were at the border of Alabama and Florida!

Our ride was delightful.  We rode the Gulf Beach Highway most of the way, and it was just beautiful!!

We had a margarita party - our last - since we crossed a state border.

The Florida pan handle is quite wide, so it will take us another 8 riding days to get to the Atlantic Ocean and the end of our ride on April 29th.

Tomorrow we have a 70 mile ride to Crestview, FL!