6/23/2018 8 Comments Day 6: Melbourne to Edgewater, FLDee enjoying the Greenway outside of Titusville, FL May 9, 2018 What a difference a day makes! At this time last night I was truly worried. We had biked into strong winds the last 20 miles of an 84-mile day. It was hot and the winds were defeating, then Dee reported the same northerly winds were forecast for the next two days. The sun has been relentless and my skin is fried. I climbed into bed with chills, mentally and physically spent, and worried that maybe this trip was just too much. (Dee, characteristically, was doing fine, you should know. I’ve known this woman for 32 years and she’s a bit super human.) This morning we left our little roadside motel without even the comfort of a cup of coffee before hitting the road. Our aim was to ride as much as we could in the relative cool of the morning when the wind would be as gentle as possible. We climbed over a bridge back over to the mainland, turned right and headed north. It was a beautiful morning. Good morning from Melbourne, looking back at the bridge we just crossed. The first 20 miles were delightful. We rode along the West Bank of the Indian River enjoying the views and along a bike lane of Route 1 enjoying bits of shade from trees along the road. At 20 miles, just before entering Cocoa, we spotted the Tilted Cup and enjoyed a delicious breakfast right on our route. Well fueled, we headed for Titusville, the temperature continuing to rise. Next stop was the Village Inn, at mile 38, where it was free pie day! Dee loves bargains as much as my husband does. It was a perfect treat: sharing a slice of strawberry rhubarb with vanilla ice cream, ice coffee, and ice water for our water bottles. Titusville is embracing trails these days, after years of being known for its Kennedy Space Center. We enjoyed the longest stretch of greenway yet, a beautiful wide path that took us maybe 20 miles north. Gary Norman, a local greenway enthusiast, gave us some local knowledge, including that we’d find a little tent up the way in Mayville selling drinks and snacks to cyclists. We found it and loved it — ice-cold Gatorade and water on the honor system. Please note how I am wearing as much clothes as I can stand in the heat to keep the sun off my arms and quads. Dee has gone the opposite way, opting for as little clothing as possible: a sun dress with an open back. Today I told her that when she gets home to Rhode Island and it’s a nice hot day, I want her to go for a run in a long sleeved shirt and capris and feel a little of my pain. Economic development along the East Coast Greenway comes in all forms. All in all, our 76-mile day was a good one. I am climbing into bed at the Best Western with less heat rash, slightly sore quads, and a renewed sense that this crazy journey is possible. With 450 miles behind us, we have met coastal Florida up close and personally (two more days of riding here before we cross into Georgia) and we’re excited to be heading for St. Augustine tomorrow. Cheerio!
8 Comments
Barbara Amodio
5/9/2018 05:50:54 pm
Glad you had such a wonderful day. We head to Titusville in November on the WAY Tour. Don’t give up going through Georgia. It will be tough but after that there is so much to look forward to.
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Mary Beth Powell
5/9/2018 08:37:37 pm
Did our friends in Titusville know you were coming through? Hope so. Keep on keeping on! Sounds like you're doing pretty well (all things considered!).
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Thea
5/9/2018 10:19:45 pm
Loving the blog! Beth is on her walk. You can follow her on Instagram #beth_walks. Traffic is her biggest challenge but that is easing as she gets closer to the Cape.
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Stacy
5/9/2018 10:26:17 pm
So happy you had a much better day! My dad lives in Cocoa Beach so I know that area well... just beautiful... be well for tomorrow 💖🙏🏻
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Michael Dougherty
5/10/2018 03:08:41 am
No coffee? Lisa..,is that you? Now, now, this is getting serious. You guys are my morning coffee - each day reading about your adventures. Thank you!
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Betty Bourret
5/10/2018 05:33:51 am
Glad you had such a pleasant day. I really enjoy your writings each day. Just delightful.
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Jodi Cohen
5/10/2018 05:40:31 am
Great blog. Impressive tide. Hello to Dee
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Titusville! Our end point in November! And now I know my pie stop!
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