The Atlantic Ocean!

Day 41 Macclenny Fl to Jacksonville Beach 51.3 miles 5.5 hr rain

I did it! I crossed the USA on a bicycle. It took 41 days, that's less than 6 weeks. I did the work, but still find it amazing. The total miles for the trip is 2670.9. The average was over 72 miles per biking day, of which there were 37. I had four rest days. I had only biked up to 70 miles 4 times before in my life, but I had never gone more than what my average was for this trip. I did bike many shorter trip this summer, over 2700 miles usually at a fast pace. I guess I'm in pretty good shape. I repeated a prayer many times for the strength and stamina to complete this ride and the wisdom to know when to stop. When my front tire hit the salty water I knew that time had come.
I want to thank everyone for their support in this trip and especially for the donations to the American Cancer Society. I know some were waiting for the end of the ride or donating by the mile. You can still send Kay and I those pledges made out to the American Cancer Society.  I will make a few more blogs, so don't go away yet. God Bless. Bob and Kay

Downtown JAX from bridge

Day 40 Madison Fl to Macclenny Fl 86.8 mi 9 hr 77 deg

My front tire was a little low again for the second day, another steel belt wire was in the tire. I think this was number ten flat. I decided not to count the flats, somehow thinking this would lessen the number, wrong again. The temp was 40 to start with and it did not warn up above 50 for two hours. I started in the dark again knowing that the winds were not projected to be strong until later in the day. I finished the first 50 miles in the same time as the last 35. I'm glad I started early, I was slugging it out all afternoon with the wind, sometimes showing less than 10mph on the speedometer on level ground. The last two heavy days of mid 80's have paid off, I'm only about 50 miles from the beach, that's what get-home-itis will do for you. Tomorrow will be a mad dash of city riding which takes longer because of all the stop and go. See you on the beach!

Tailgating before the game with FSU friends

Day 39 Quincy Fl to Madison Fl 88.1 mi 9.5 hr 72 deg

When I left it was still dark. I wanted to beat the crowd for the Florida State home football game in Tallahassee. I was making good progress until I got a flat in my rear tire, which I fixed by a guard rail. The second picture for today shows a locking nut for a presta tube which holds the tube to the wheel and a valve cover. This was left by someone before me when they changed their flat. Well, I got caught in traffic, so I did a little partying with some FSU fans in the preceding picture. If you can't beat em you might as well join em. I could not stay for the game, had to go. Tomorrow will be a long 80 plus mile day again with a strong headwind. I forgot to mention yesterday, that I'm in my last time zone.

Another biker changed a tube here