You surely have heard of a cheeseburger in Paradise, well today was a bicycle in Paradise. Bob and I left Melbourne Beach, actually it was Indiatlantic Beach around 8:00Am and immediately headed for breakfast. We really liked the place we stayed in last night. It was right on the beach and had a little patio with tables and chairs where one can sit and enjoy the sunrise which Bob did while I slept in! We enjoyed breakfast at a little place just down the road and then headed south!
After we got out of the Melbourne Beach traffic and got on the two lane, the traffic died down and we could just enjoy the ride. We were again headed south in brilliant sunshine with no clouds in the sky and a wind out of the east from the ocean. It doesn't get much better than this for a biker. We were cruising!!!!
We were crossing the bridge at Sebastion State Park and of course I stopped at the top to take some pretty spectacular pictures even if I have to say so myself! As we were there, a Deputy Sheriff pulled up alongside. He rolled the window down and called to me. I bent down to listen and he said that he didn't have a problem with what we were doing but we needed to ride safe. He said, that the people around here drive like idiots! I have been complaining to Bob for days about how I think Florida drivers are the worst. I don't think he agrees with me but now I think if a Deputy Sheriff says it, it has to be true!!
We continued on just enjoying our ride. It was about 11:30 when we got to Vero Beach and decided to have lunch. We found a restaurant right on the beach and sat outside so we could enjoy all of the ambiance! We were in no hurry to leave but realized that we had to go! We mounted up and started back down to Rte A1A when we spotted another long distance rider. His name was Harry and he was going from Northern Virginia to Key West. We talked for a little while and found out that we are on pretty much the same schedule. He said he was going to have a bite to eat and then he would be heading to Stuart as well.
We went on down the road and after a half hour or so, I noticed a rider coming up fast behind us and of course it was Harry. He is a much faster rider than Bob and I. He caught up to us and then he and I rode together for awhile telling each other the stories of the trip. He retired in July after 30 years service in the government and now he was starting to do some long distance riding. All of a sudden he said he was going to ride on as he didn't want to burden us with his woes. He said that his wife had called him that morning to tell him that she was leaving him. Needless to say, Bob and I were shocked. Now we will probably dread getting a call from our wives fearing the bad news. We did decide that if they were going to dump us they probably would have did it at the beginning of the trip, not wait until the end!
We changed our route again from the Adventure Cycling maps and stayed on the Mainland side instead of going back over to A1A. We rode on the old Dixie Highway which paralleled the river instead of the ocean. The breeze was still from the East but not quite as cool. The road was pleasant. The traffic was light and going fairly slow. The entire 17 miles was lined with palm trees and some pretty neat homes. Some of them were pretty old. The whole area seems to have a timeless feel. I was struck by the fact that I didn't see anybody out and about. Maybe everybody is working during the day but it still seemed strange.
We made it into the hotel about 4:30. The clerk was impressed with our journey and especially my strange tan lines on my forehead!!!
Tomorrow, we are headed for Boynton Beach. Only 5 more days of riding!! I am not sure I am ready to stop!!!
After we got out of the Melbourne Beach traffic and got on the two lane, the traffic died down and we could just enjoy the ride. We were again headed south in brilliant sunshine with no clouds in the sky and a wind out of the east from the ocean. It doesn't get much better than this for a biker. We were cruising!!!!
We were crossing the bridge at Sebastion State Park and of course I stopped at the top to take some pretty spectacular pictures even if I have to say so myself! As we were there, a Deputy Sheriff pulled up alongside. He rolled the window down and called to me. I bent down to listen and he said that he didn't have a problem with what we were doing but we needed to ride safe. He said, that the people around here drive like idiots! I have been complaining to Bob for days about how I think Florida drivers are the worst. I don't think he agrees with me but now I think if a Deputy Sheriff says it, it has to be true!!
We continued on just enjoying our ride. It was about 11:30 when we got to Vero Beach and decided to have lunch. We found a restaurant right on the beach and sat outside so we could enjoy all of the ambiance! We were in no hurry to leave but realized that we had to go! We mounted up and started back down to Rte A1A when we spotted another long distance rider. His name was Harry and he was going from Northern Virginia to Key West. We talked for a little while and found out that we are on pretty much the same schedule. He said he was going to have a bite to eat and then he would be heading to Stuart as well.
We went on down the road and after a half hour or so, I noticed a rider coming up fast behind us and of course it was Harry. He is a much faster rider than Bob and I. He caught up to us and then he and I rode together for awhile telling each other the stories of the trip. He retired in July after 30 years service in the government and now he was starting to do some long distance riding. All of a sudden he said he was going to ride on as he didn't want to burden us with his woes. He said that his wife had called him that morning to tell him that she was leaving him. Needless to say, Bob and I were shocked. Now we will probably dread getting a call from our wives fearing the bad news. We did decide that if they were going to dump us they probably would have did it at the beginning of the trip, not wait until the end!
We changed our route again from the Adventure Cycling maps and stayed on the Mainland side instead of going back over to A1A. We rode on the old Dixie Highway which paralleled the river instead of the ocean. The breeze was still from the East but not quite as cool. The road was pleasant. The traffic was light and going fairly slow. The entire 17 miles was lined with palm trees and some pretty neat homes. Some of them were pretty old. The whole area seems to have a timeless feel. I was struck by the fact that I didn't see anybody out and about. Maybe everybody is working during the day but it still seemed strange.
We made it into the hotel about 4:30. The clerk was impressed with our journey and especially my strange tan lines on my forehead!!!
Tomorrow, we are headed for Boynton Beach. Only 5 more days of riding!! I am not sure I am ready to stop!!!
Are you sure you want to fly home ? wouldn't you rather stay on the bike and ride home ?
ReplyDeleteI think I might be getting tired of riding the bike! I know, it is hard to believe!
ReplyDeleteGreat ride, great companionship and a SUPER GREAT blog. Thanks Norbert!
ReplyDeleteWay to go, Bro. You are my hero ... I'm sitting on my butt and you are out pumping your legs for almost 2500 miles ... You da man!! See you at home.
ReplyDeleteCharlie