Date(s): Nov. 14, 1999
Day: Sunday
From: Quincy, FL
To: Monticello, FL
Lodging: Tallahassee KOA
Segment Mileage: 82.8
Cumulative Mileage: 3257.5
Actual Riding Time: 6:10
Average Speed: 13.4
Weather: Warm, sunny
Temp: Low 80's
Tonight we're staying outside of Tallahassee at another RV park next to the interstate, I-10, and even with earplugs, the roar of trucks in the background is loud. We've been fortunate the past week to find some very nice state parks, but not tonight. Earplugs have become an essential part of the trip for me, as there always seems to be some loud external noise during the nights.
Today Todd and I rode into the city of Tallahassee to find a bike shop. Todd needed two tires and I wanted a mechanic to try to fix the creaking in my cranks. We started out from Quincy with Bruno and Suzanne, all of us freezing as we rode out of town. A couple of us stopped to add another layer but it was still cold. The dew had been very heavy on the tents, like a heavy rain had fallen, so we were wet as well.
When Todd and I reached our turn
off to town, we took a short break with Bruno and Suzanne and then
continued on. The road was called a 'canopy road', lined with live
oaks and other trees that spread their branches over the road creating
a canopy, making for a very pretty ride with the Spanish moss hanging
down. Since it was Sunday morning, traffic wasn't bad and we made good
time into town.
At the first shop, The Great Bicycle Shop on Thomasille Road, the staff were very helpful but they didn't have the larger touring tires that Todd wanted. They did fix the noise from my cranks, and wouldn't take any money for the adjustment. They also called around to try to locate a shop with the right tires. Our next stop was About Bikes on Magnolia St. The shop wins the award for the neatest mechanic's work area that I've ever seen. They had the tires and trued Todd's rear wheel for a minimal charge. After Todd mounted both tires, we stopped at the TCBY store for drinks to have with our sandwiches and then headed out of town.
The road out of town, Miccosukee Rd., was another beautiful canopy road. After about 7 or 8 miles we returned to the route and raced to get back to camp in time to hand off the cooking gear. We had a tailwind for much of the ride and made good time, averaging over 15mph on the final stretch. Cyndi and Oliver were anxiously awaiting the utensils that I carry so they could get started on dinner, their famous chili dish. This time it was served over pasta instead of rice, an Oliver variation. Bruno and Suzanne were going to buy some beer tonight but were told that it isn't sold on Sundays, so Spike had to work his magic again to scrounge a six-pack.
The last stretch of our ride took a lot out of me, and after about 9 days of riding without a rest day, plus the time change, I'm exhausted. I think most of us are very tired and ready for a break before the final push to St. Augustine. Tomorrow is a 69 mile day to the Spirit of Suwannee park, followed by a rest day. In the meantime I'm hoping the Sunday evening traffic on I-10 slows a bit so we can get some sleep.
Note about English Tod: We received a nice letter from Tod telling us that he is OK but still taking it easy so as not to cause further problems with the blood clots in his legs. Next spring he's thinking of travelling to El Paso with his wife to try to complete his trek across America. We wish him all the best.
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