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DAY 25

We dodged 2 storms...we're done

DAY'S OVERVIEW: Yawn...it was back to the road this morning with an eye on St Augustine...unlike Ophelia who set off shore for days unable to find the historic downtown, we rolled in without a hitch.  As we loaded the luggage for the last time, it finally dawned on the riders that in 24 hours they would be back to their "normal" everyday lives with more to worry about than luggage, where to eat, and where rap was going to be.  It's been a great bunch and I speak for the whole staff when I say we'll miss this group and I hope I can speak for the riders when I say we'll see many of them again on some other ride. 

Today we departed Fernandina Beach down A1A along the ocean where we rolled on to a Ferry across the St John's River.  After a short ride across the river, it was back on A1A all the way to St Augustine.  I can see why people like living down here, but I can't understand why people would live down here.  Beautiful beachfront property overlooking the Atlantic was spread all along our early morning departure...homes surely so far out of my price range that I could only imagine.  But the thing that struck me was the only thing between those estates and the forces of mother nature was a 7 foot pile of sand and a few strands of oat grass.  After seeing what happened in New Orleans with Katrina, I can't imagine what these people go through every fall during hurricane season when they face a possible storm surge that would make short work of that pile of sand.  But I guess it's like living in other areas of the US, many of which aren't nearly as beautiful as here, that have things like tornadoes, floods, or earthquakes that threaten them with as much destructive power as any cat 5 hurricane.

I got into the motel about noon, just in time to grab a bite to eat before starting to coordinate bike shop shuttles, UPS runs, unloading and repacking of all the vans for the trip home, and final congratulations to all.  This ride doesn't have a final "wheel dip" as our cross country ride does, but Pat, Karen, and Judy more than made up for it when they jumped in the motel swimming pool in celebration of their completion.  Even famous Team Zed found a substitute by celebrating to the toots from passing motorists as they frolicked in a strip mall sprinkler system about a half mile from the finish.  I guess that about sealed their bond as a team...teams that tip toe through a sprinkler together...must be nuts.  :-)

Me and the rest of the staff spent the afternoon disassembling bikes and making runs to UPS and bike shops while many of the riders who weren't staying over toured the old historic down town.  St Augustine was established in 1565 and is the oldest permanent European settlement in the continental US and according to the US park service, is perhaps the earliest example of community planning within the continental US.  Besides the lure and charm of the old downtown, St Augustine is home of the oldest masonry fort in the US who's history dates back to just after Christopher Columbus set foot in the new world.  This fort, Castillo de San Marcos, was the prime defense from the St Mary's River to the north, the St John's River to the west, and Fort Matanzas to the south.  It protected St Augustine from pirate raids and from British invasions for many years.  Although this fort changed hands several times; from Spanish to British, British to US, and even Confederate to Union during the Civil War; interestingly enough, it was never overtaken under siege...only by treaty.  A mighty/strategic fortress, now restored, lays in quiet retirement as a reminder of times long past when this area was an unstable international battleground.

We've come to another end of a journey...the inaugural Ride the East.  It's been a great ride in spite of it being the first try down the coast.  We learned many new lessons, made new friends, and renewed friendships from past rides...these are the things that make us come back.  As we draw to a close another long distance bicycle touring season, Barb and I are looking forward to a little time at home before returning to New Hampshire to lead the Fall Foliage rides.  As I close out this journal, I'm sitting at home at my desk wondering where the summer went.  When we wake tomorrow...hopefully later than we've had to get up over the summer, we will miss the companionship of the people we've come to know on this trip and other friends we've met this summer.  On the other hand, I'll try not to worry about whether all the luggage is loaded or if 50 bikes are on the road or where the next hurricane is headed.  I'm not sure what I'm going to do with myself for the next 3 weeks...well, maybe I'll unpack...that should take awhile.

I hope you've enjoyed following our journey down the coast.  My thanks to the riders who were good sports when it came to divulging their "Duhs" for our entertainment and to their discipline on the road to safely complete their trip.  I also want to thank the members of my staff that made my job a lot easier by their good nature, dedication, and hard work on the road...it was the best staff ever and believe me, I've had some good ones in the past. 

If you ever want to experience what we go through out here, grab your bike and come out and join us.  Become part of our cycling family that seems to find the time every year to put on the lycra and pedal to new and interesting places.  Haven't ridden in all the states yet?  Pick a ride that has some you haven't ridden in and come ride 'em.  Until then, we'll be looking for new adventures...you'll never know the fun we have until you come do it for yourself.  See you then.

HEARD ON THE ROAD:  "Can we go on to Miami?"

PS:  The next journal will be on the Fall Foliage rides starting the second week of October...come see some beautiful colors and learn of the zany shenanigans of the "Leaf Peepers."  Bye for now.

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