Cycling the Atlantic Coast

We had a fun ride through south Georgia today.   We crossed a bridge and I got high enough to get a view of the terrain.  It is flat as a pancake, with lots of swamps and tidal rivers.  We had a wonderful 15 mph tailwind which made the pedals very easy to turn.  We have begin to see signs of wind damage from Irene.   I got a  picture of our shopping ritual.  The store was about 10 miles from camp, so we all meet to help carry groceries.   I am sure it is quite the sight in these small rural towns to have 10 lycra clad cyclists and loaded bike show up at the local IGA. Tomorrow we enter Florida.   Our last of 13 states on this journey.

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/2034790848?share_unique_id=112 I am afraid that I have not been doing a good job keeping up on the blog.  I had a day of cooking, a ninty mile day and a visit from my lovely wife.  All of which took time and energy.  Since I last wrote,  I have cycled through the lowlands of South Carolina and Georgia and visited the elegant southern city of Savanna. The cycling has been a little challenging. The infrastructure in South Carolina is not cycling friendly.  The people are fine, but 4 lane roads, posted at 65 mph, with no shoulders are not a cyclists friend.   Today we were in Georgia which was an improvement.  I did see porpoises from a bridge in South Carolina on the way into Savanna, which was a treat.  We did two walking tours of Savanna which were fantastic.   One was on the general history of the city and the other one was on the civil war in the area.  It is a lovely city where hist...

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/2003720028?share_unique_id=110 Another interesting ride through South Carolina.   We spent much of the day in Francis Marion National Forest on the way to Charleston.   Our lodging was no available until 5 pm, so we hit the beach for three hours.   It was a fantastic way to spend the day.   That finishes off to  days in a row of cycling and 440 miles.  So far, we are over 2000 miles for the trip. 

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1998297541?share_unique_id=108 Big day today at a little over 86 miles.  It was through the lowlands of the South Carolina and not our most interesting ride.  We got some cloud cover, tailwinds and had cool temperatures thanks to hurricane Maria being offshore,  so that was a bonus. About the only things of note are that we entered South Carolina today.  Also, the fact that we are staying in the birthplace of Chubby Checkers (and Chris Rock)

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1994152261?share_unique_id=104 https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1994152261?share_unique_id=106 Well, I have slacked off the blogging for a few days.   As you can tell from the blurred photo, looks like I have stopped cleaning the lense on my phone camera too, sorry. The last week we have cycled about 400 miles through North Carolina.  The trip total is over 1800 miles. While not blogging and riding, we have had lots of fun.   For the past 5 days, we have been able to swim in the ocean after cycling (or on the route) which has been wonderful. Tomorrow is a big day.   We enter South Carolina and will cover nearly 90 miles.   Also, it has been decided that the ride will end 4 days early in Fort Lauderdale.   The Key's are still in  very fragile condition and if it is even possible to get to the end, it is doubtful it would be much fun. The map shows the next week or so of our adventure.  ...

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1992243817?share_unique_id=102 Today was the second time in as many weeks that we circumnavigated a Marine base.  Last week it was Quantico and today it was camp Lajune.  It was not the most interesting ride with lots of places to get your hair cut and strip joints.  I went to a Mexican restaurant for lunch and was surrounded by clean cut 20 to 30 year old men (presumably marines on their day off). We are right on the beach again tonight.  It was wonderful to end the riding day with a dip in the Atlantic.   As you can tell from the photo,  it was a combined wash/swim for Derald, Shell and Tom.

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1990725873?share_unique_id=100 Today we left Ocracoke Island on the 7:30 AM ferry.   It was a 2 1/2 hour crossing to Cedar Island on the near empty ferry.   We used the wind and opportunity to dry out our tents and towels after they were drenched last night by an unexpected downpour. Most of the ride was very quiet, through a nature preserve and through relatively uninhabited lowlands.   We were assisted by a slight tailwind which lessens the load.  As we approached our lodging for the night, we were showered by another squall.   The dark clouds and thunder on the horizon made us feel lucky to get away with just a shower. We got a swim in again in the ocean.  The waves were light and regular,  very different from the storm tossed ocean of two days ago.  The water temperature must be near 80.  What a way to end a day of cycling.