So it looks like in America, your bike stays in your room…
After a breakfast visit at the diner next to the motel, serving massive omelettes (for me) and pancakes (for Steve), we headed out on the ‘real’ first day of the tour - a projected 42 miles.
35ish miles riding a very straight road through the Florida countryside - a lot of trees and fields interspersed with periodic swamps. Very, very rural Florida. Only saw a few people, mostly cyclists, no alligators. 35 miles to the first place we could find to stop for food, although we did find an interesting gas station shop at 30 miles. Mostly really friendly folk along the way, but a few macho guys focused on ‘athletic-ing’ who were too involved to wave or say hello. We did stay in the slipstream of a cycling club for a bit, until they pulled off for a drink. Think they were worried we’d overtake them on the fully loaded ‘big green machine’!
Reminded of our very clear roles on the bike - pilot on the front handles steering / road hazards / a regular series of warnings to the back along with regular administration of the horn to oblivious ibud wearing walkers / cyclists and the navigator / logistics organiser / food and respite sourcer / head of communications (plus whatever we can think of) on the back. The new cockpit on the back is working very well!
All the curvy bits were saved for the last 4 miles. Lovely twisty ride through the forest around Lake Monroe. The Pilot had to pay attention there!
46 miles into a 42 mile ride, we arrived in Sanford. We still finished by 1:00. Had to wait for the room to be ready, not surprising, but they arranged for a 1st floor room for us which made getting the tandem in easier.
Texas Roadhouse for dinner - Steak night!
And a night cap. Steve got the big one!
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