Day 58, San Antonio TX to San Diego CA

Biiiiiiiiig bus day. Thirty hours of riding a bus and I might have been awake for two hours of it. Stayed out all night the night before so sleeping on the bus was easy. I was surrounded by babies and a couple loud people but things didn't get interesting until the crazy guy boarded the bus. Best way to describe him would be a drifter but crazy might be more accurate. He was constantly singing to himself and talking to himself. Full conversations about things he's done and places he's been arrested. At one point he was really excited about being able to listen to his radio. Fine, seems like something to get excited about. He pulls out this crazy bedside clock radio that is just a mess of cords and he is talking about how it is a prison issue radio from one if his friends that did ten years so it has sentimental value. So crazy. Just really crazy.

Thirty hours of sleep is what I need after some time in Texas though. Austin and San Antonio you did be in, yes you did.

Day 56, 57 San Antonio TX rest days

Oh man, did Jacy hook me up solid. Possibly the most comfy bed around and just warm and cosy. Hospitality through the roof and fun times. Went out for sushi and a couple bars and watched the basketball game which was fun. It was neat watching and hearing about the local team. Spurs fever down there, catch it.

Overall it was just a great time. Been two years since hanging with Jacy at the blackfish so it was fun seeing him again. I'm also just super jealous of the real estate in San Antonio. Super jealous.

Day 55, Austin TX to salt lick barbeque

I woke up late. I was tired. I was hungry. It was a bad situation at the start. It was raining. I saddled up and started to ride, seventy miles isn't too far... I've done it before I can do it again.

Turns out I couldn't do it. I rode 0.4 miles before calling up cousin Jacy with a plan. Salt lick barbeque was a place I really wanted to go and was only 25 miles outside town. If Jacy could meet me there we can both eat a bunch of barbeque and then he can give me a ride the rest of the way.... Fingers crossed he answers the phone. I made the call, pride nowhere to be found and he completely bailed me out. We even met two people in the bar area that were so excited about my biking that they bought us a six pack AND left a selection of beers next to my bike. Cool people, love bike trip.

Also this barbeque was unreal. The best brisket I've ever had. Ever. My only regret is that it is so far away. I crave that food right now. With every waking moment I want that barbeque. Every. Single. Moment. I'm legitimately tearing up a bit thinking about it. Great Q.

Went back to Jacy's place and met his lovely pets (I'm on team Daisy I think) before heading out to a onesie party at his friends place. I bought a batman onesie which I might never take off. So comfy. Great people over there though, fine group.

Trip stats

Hours riding: 2:06.26

Day miles: 25.92

Total miles west: 1534.68

Average speed: 12.3 mph

Max speed: 36.5 mph

Day 54, Austin TX rest day

I'm going to start with the day prior also which was also like a rest day. Checking into the hostel went just a little bumpy but I ended up making a new friend as a result. The hostel wanted a ten dollar cash key deposit and I only had eight. I guess I speak pretty loudly because an English girl offered to spot me the two bucks sight unseen. Very nice start to my stay in Austin. I also find out that there is a pub crawl they are going to do that night which is convenient because I love pubs! Turns out it was five dollars cash also and my English friend spotted me again. I didn't roll into town looking like a big spender but I did meet some nice people.

We hit some bars that night and there was plenty of live music and just neat bars. Sixth street is where everything goes down and oh boy is it a time. Had a good rip on the town and eventually made it back to the hostel.

The next day I wake up late and have barbeque on my mind. Because I rolled in late I never actually had dinner so I was soooooo hungry and wanted big barbeque. I meet up with my English friend in the morning and we decide to hang out for the day. Twist though, she is super vegan! Double twist, she is fine going to a barbeque place with me first as long as I go to a began place after. Whew, dodged a bullet. I put some brisket in my mouth and it is good, life restoring good. Love barbeque.

Blah blah blah walk around town Austin is nice. End up heading back to the hostel to see what's happening there and chill in the common room. Put on a movie which leads to some hilarious "beer sipping, rye movie comment making" times. Hook, then evil dead then Jurassic park. It was a hilarious good time where everyone bonded over fun movies and decided to hit the town together as a result. Hilarious dancing ensured and I had to defend 2000 era hip hop because someone thought it was too old. Not true!

Possibly the greatest fun though, what a time.

Rest day!

Day 53, La Grange TX to Austin TX

I'm going back into my memory bank on this one but I remember it like it was yesterday... How could I forget.

The day started like most days, not that early but earlier than others. The difference with today was it was freezing. Like a couple degrees above zero with a wicked wind in the face. Terrible. I ride one mile and put on all my rain gear in an attempt to feel my toes again. Rode another six miles before stopping into a gas station to warm up. Tough start.

Stopped for lunch outside of Austin and for more heat. I think I drank an entire pot of coffee while a guy told me I should read a book about a guy walking across America. I told him I already met a guy doing it. Looks like it must be a good idea, everyone is doing it.

Mile by painstaking mile straight shot along the highway I made it to Austin and found my hostel. The whole day I just kept my head down and tried to not focus on how cold I was. First impression of Austin is that I could totally live there. There was a train and so many bike lanes! Just a good looking town also, pretty city. Best part about it is that I can get warm again, sweet heat.

Trip stats
Hours riding:
Day miles: 66.04
Total miles west: 1508.78
Average speed: 10.6 mph
Max speed: 27.0 mph

Day 52, Navasota TX to La Grange TX

A great day of riding but one where I was constantly chasing the dragon. There was a powerful wind blowing in the morning and I thought it would be right at my back. It was initially but then my route veered right and the wind was blowing across me. Normally I'm fine with a cross breeze, better than a headwind right? But this wind was so powerful and if I could only get it completely at my back I'd just blast through the day. It was another late start (11am) so I kind of needed some wind assist. My route eventually would bend to the point where I thought the wind would power me forward, just needed to go a few more miles forward.

It never happened.

I had maybe 3 miles where I can remember the wind actually giving me a solid boost. For the entire day it was probably giving me a very small boost and definitely not a hindrance. It wasn't bad but man, it sure would have been sweet to have that wind pushing me, gusts up the 15 mph!

My other gripe with the day is that hills here are so long and slow that it is hard to maintain momentum up and over the hill. The hills are usually about a half a mile where three quarters of it is a shallow gradient up and then the final quarter is much steeper. All my momentum is gone by the time I hit the steep part so there is no way I can just coast over a hill. Basically the hills are lame and I prefer one big climb instead of a hundred little climbs.

I've complained a lot in this post but really it was a good day. Powerful wind that carried some cold with it but still sunny and warm enough. Beautiful country down here, real Texas ranch country. Plenty of cattle and fields and just nice looking Texas.

A weird thing was four very curious horses that kept checking out what I was doing. They just kept eyeing me down, so I stared back. We looked at each other, the four horses just in a line for some time. Then I would start moving down the fence and the horses would run ahead of me. Then I would stop and we would look at each other some more. Strange beasts. Majestic beasts.

I also went through antique alley today. There were like five towns in a row that were just loaded with antique stores. Between the towns were barns loaded with antiques. One place was loaded with old gas station signs. So many signs for gas stations but no gas in sight.

I also saw many giant fake cows on people's yards, more than I'd expect. There was also a giant gorilla which made zero sense.

Trip stats
Hours riding: 5:22.45
Day miles: 71.11
Total miles west: 1442.78
Average speed: 13.2 mph
Max speed: 32.1 mph

Day 51, Shepherd TX to Navasota TX

Today was just an absolute grind, a grindy grind. I've been having trouble getting going in the morning but that is nothing new. Today though it might have finally got me. I was up early and had ever single opportunity to get ready. I remember thinking to myself, "brush the teeth and I'm out the door, so easy". Turns out not so easy, watched some highlights then got sucked into a weird movie where John Travolta was named wax. A quick Google shows it is called " from Paris with love ". Did I enjoy it? I think so. I wonder if I was so against moving that I would have enjoyed anything but I'm not sure. I want to think that I'm thinking clear enough to know if I'm enjoying a movie or not but who knows. I've enjoyed lots of movies because I was too tired to not enjoy them. Passively enjoying a movie is easier than either finding something better or getting frustrated about. "They said you were crazy for growing soy beans here... You don't look so crazy now." Not a great movie but I watched it anyway and I can't go back. Sure I thought it was insane that twenty odd people were going to try and pick acres of soy beans. Not possible, still tried to enjoy the movie. Soy beans. That guy was also way too short to be a star wide receiver. Weird movie.

Anyway, I stalled in the morning but still got going eventually. First thing that hit me when I got outside was the wind, then it kept hitting me for the next seven hours, right in the face. It was a strong wind, the type of wind that can really flap a flag. It was super annoying and there was plenty of hills to battle along the way also. Just the rolling type of hills that have a long slow uphill so it is impossible to carry momentum up the hill. Just had to grind it out. I would like to thank my power legs for taking me to the finish line. Legs, insanely strong calves.

Trip stats
Hours riding: 6:14.57
Day miles: 79.01
Total miles west: 1371.58
Average speed: 12.6 mph
Max speed: 30.0 mph

Day 50, Silsbee TX to Shepherd TX

Another pretty basic day of riding, not much to report. It was another smooth road which I find I enjoy fully. A school but honked at me while being me at one point and I yelled at it. At the time I didn't know it was a school bus so maybe I would have thought twice if I had known. In the end though I feel like I'm in the right, don't honk at me school bus, you've got kids!

Near my hotel the only food available was a subway that was inside of a gas station. I'm not too worried about it, I love subway. Quick subway note, they don't have barbeque sauce available all the time. Crazy. Anyway, I go into this subway and am waiting to order when I see this shirtless man gambling on the video poker machines also in the gas station. There was also a child wearing an extra large camouflage shirt running around the station. One guy who clearly was either taking a stance against the no shirt no service policy or had given up his shirt to his kid because he needed to gamble more. Either way, weird.

Trip stats
Hours riding: 4:26.03
Day miles: 60.04
Total miles west: 1292.58
Average speed: 13.5 mph
Max speed: 29.1 mph

Day 49, Deridder LA to Silsbee TX

Another nice day of riding though with very little to report. I did cross another state line which was nice, welcome to Texas. I also ran into another cyclist on the road from Oregon which was fun. Nice guy.

The road was smooth today which is turning out to be the biggest thing for me. It's a good day if it is smooth and a bad day if it's bumpy. Texas roads have been smooth so far so I'm okay with it. Hopefully this keeps going.

Yeah nothing much to say really, the cycling is easy enough that I basically just get on the bike and ride until I'm done. I don't really need breaks anymore and I'm tired at the end of the day, but not exhausted. It isn't tough anymore which is nice at least, I can go faster for longer so I like that. That said though, still love a tailwind. I was a rocketship today though even with a headwind. Power legs.

Trip stats
Hours riding: 4:57.47
Day miles: 75.81
Total miles west: 1232.48
Average speed: 15.2
Max speed: 24.4

Day 48, Alexandria LA to Deridder LA

Today is what it's all about about. I don't know what "it" is but today had it. I actually have a pretty good idea what it is: smooth roads, low traffic, serene riding. If I was Stella I'd be rocking my groove again. Great day of riding through the Kisatchie national Forest. Just gorgeous really, finally saw some fall colors which was great. And almost every mile was on brand new smooth road. Best day ever, more of these please.

The one awkward thing about today was that there were a lot of signs talking about unexploded ordinances and that I was right near a bombing range.... I'm still alive so I guess they weren't bombing but still a little concerning. Perhaps the road is so smooth because it was recently bombed?

Also a town name of Deridder is great but they are missing an opportunity in trying to keep their highways clean. They have signs saying "keep Deridder clean" instead of saying "let's get Deridder of the trash on the highway". Step up your game Deridder. Step it up.

Trip stats
Hours riding: 5:04.41
Day miles: 72.31
Total miles west: 1156.76
Average speed: 14.2 mph
Max speed: 27.5 mph

Day 47, Bunkie LA to Alexandria LA

Well I had a nice sleep on the fire department couch, unusually nice sleep actually. Zonked out. Woke up and changed out my tire and was ready to go. With no spare though i was nervous about the road ahead. I Decided that it would be a good idea to go to Alexandria where there is a bike shop and buy a spare tube. Didn't realize how good of an idea it was because I almost immediately got a flat leaving Bunkie. Turns out I had a bunch of glass and metal ripping through my tire. The bike shop set me up with a new tube, some tire armor and even realigned my brakes. Overall, I'm confident about moving forward with flats but I still bought another tube.

It was a super short day and I found myself cycling by the pie capital of Louisiana. Naturally, I had to stop in for a slice. Since I'm also in pecan country (who knew? But there are an unusual amount of pecans around here actually...) I ordered a slice of pecan pie. Not a bad slice of pie I must say, did me right. Felt good eating pie.

The sun was shining and my place was slow so it was a good day. I even went through and planned the remainder of the trip. San Diego on the 18th is the plan right now, destined to change I'm sure. It feels good to have a plan though, the end game is in sight.

BBQ: Eddie's smokehouse in Alexandria.
Been some time since I had barbeque and this one was pretty solid. Got sausage and ribs which surprised me when I ordered it. Turns out it was mighty tasty, juicy tender ribs and some nice sausage. I also ordered Mac as a side which was confusing... I might have forgotten how to eat barbeque. I hope this is just a phase.

Trip stats
Hours riding: 3:31.24
Day miles: 37.18
Total miles west: 1084.42
Average speed: 10.5 mph
Max speed: 21.4 mph

Day 46, New Roads LA to Bunkie LA

I might have list my temper more than once today. I yelled at people, at myself but mostly at the road. Smooth your roads Louisiana! Smooth. Your. Roads. Smooth! Terrible.

All is more or less well but today wasn't the day that yesterday was, today was poor overall. It was supposed to be a short day so I was slow in the morning and started late. Let's felt good and I thought today was going to be great. Right out of the gate I took a wrong turn and added ten miles to the trip. Then the road was bumpy and the wind was blasting in my face. Right in my face. Then I took another wrong turn and added about fifteen miles to the trip. My short about sixty mile day quickly became just under ninety. Then it started getting dark and I had to ride about ten miles in the dark. Then, two miles out of town, the slow leak in my tube I had gotten thirty miles ago blew. It was a full on flat now, not going anywhere with it. I didn't want to change a tire in the dark so I decided to just walk into town. Thankfully a nice lady pulled over and drove me in and thank God because it would have taken a long time to walk in. Now I'm chilling in the local fire department on their couch which will be a nice place to sleep. Tomorrow I'll change the tire and might detour up the road to find a bike shop. I just don't feel comfortable without a backup tube, especially since this tube of mine that burst can't be patched. Big burst.

So it wasn't a great day today and to top it off I'm missing the football game because nobody gets NFL network down here. I'm not sure why we get so much NFL network in Canada but in America nobody has it. Bring me football America, it's what I crave.

Tomorrow will be better, it has to be.

Trip stats
Hours riding: 6:27.26
Day miles: 86.30
Total miles west: 1047.23
Average speed: 13.3
Max speed: 30.2

Day 45, Baton Rouge LA to New Roads LA

Pretty basic day of riding, not much to report. It was a short day and mostly along the highway. It was a bit rainy today, not much more than a drizzle but enough to convince me to end it short.

I did go to a grocery store and was definitely shopping hungry. Bread, cheese, milk, yogurt, fruit all these things that you don't get at a gas station. Basically just ate all day after checking into a hotel. Luxury.

The big thing about today though was that I've officially altered my plan and am throwing in the towel. I'm just losing a bit of my mustard and don't think I have the time or the energy to conquer the desert and mountains. I dreamed big but will fall short of my 5000 mile goal.

The new plan is that I'll be going to Austin to check it out then blast down to San Antonio to visit cousin. From there I'll hop a train to somewhere outside of San Diego and just ride the huge downhill into town to see sister. From there grab a flight home near the end of the month. I feel good about it, should be more like 3000 miles which is probably more my speed. Whatever the case I feel good about this new plan, I'm excited to have the finish line move much closer.

Trip stats
Hours riding: 3:38.06
Day miles: 45.34
Total miles west: 960.93
Average speed: 12.4 mph
Max speed: 26.6 mph

Day 44, new Orleans to baton rouge LA

Business riding. I had talked to a guy named Mark Martin, who I am currently staying with in Baton Rouge, about routes into town. He mentioned I should stay off the highway and ride along the river instead to avoid some bad conditions. I googled it and what looked like a similar route was 100 miles so I thought it was possible in a day, long day but possible.

Set off a little late and a little hungry which was a bad omen. The terrible new Orleans streets were the other bad omen. Getting lost on these streets was another bad omen. Having trouble finding my breakfast restaurant was another bad omen. Construction on the levy bike path was the last straw. No more straws.

Needless to say I was not in the greatest of moods until I ran into Bert and Holly along the road. They were in their last day of a 2.5 month 2200 mile trip. Very nice people, have me a sticker and just told me not to worry about things. The sticker says, "make art, be happy". True words and cured me almost immediately, felt like I was riding lighter after that one.

The ride was nice after that, a big tail wind along a lightly used road. Huge industrial area, saw loads of coal and refineries and construction materials. Crazy. It got crazier when people were left off their shift and just blasting it home. Also it gets dark early now so I was riding in the dark for a little bit. Not great but not bad, wide shoulder.

As mentioned, staying with Mark and talked about geology a little bit which was nice. Good guy who has set me up with a bed and everything. Awesome. He also has a sweet beard.

Trip stats
Hours riding: 8:29.04
Day miles: 119.43
Total miles west: 915.57
Average speed: 14.0 mph
Max speed: 28.5 mph

Day 41-43 rest days in new Orleans

Love new Orleans. I'm not going to go into too much detail because read a travel blog if you want to know more about new Orleans. Basically I did everything that I wanted to do though:
-took in some live jazz music
-hit bourbon street
-voodoo shop
-wandered around, soaked it in
-ate very nice meal with nice drinks
-ate alligator

I feel like other things happened also but I'll forever remember pizza cone and "REV YOUR MOTOR BRO!"

Seriously though, Rev your motor life right? Put that on a shirt and smoke it... Smoke it with hickory then eat it. REV IT!

No miles, bike on lock down.

Day 40, basically Poplarville, MS to new Orleans LA

It was one of those unexpected good days but it was great overall. Initially I was thinking that I was just going to try and get to Frankville, no New Orleans and no Halloween. I was sad about it but accepted it. Then it happened...

Called up Kevin (beloved cousin) and he made it happen. New Orleans. Halloween. Kaboom.

The wind was in my face before Kevin and then I started traveling south having it at my back. It was glorious, I was built for speed. The sixty miles to travel just clicked off, so easy. Downhill with wind? Do I even need to pedal? Too easy.

So I posted up at a bar in Slidell waiting for a ride from Kevin the rest of the way. Nice little taco and beer place appropriately called tacos and beer. Overall delicious, great brew.

Got picked up and drove into town and what a place! Went to different bars and had a blast of a time. What. A. Time. Love new Orleans, I might never leave. Jazz clubs everywhere

Trip stats
Hours riding: ?
Day miles: 59? That can't be right.... Probably is
Total miles west: 796.17
Average speed: ? Fast though
Max speed: ?

Day 38, Dauphin island AL to Vancleave MS

Oh Alabama, I hardly knew thee. Already out of Alabama, only in it for a day I guess. The good news is that I took my time getting out if it. Slow rolled my way into Mississippi, are a cinnamon bun in the morning, delicious.

The thing I'll probably always remember about Alabama, is the barbeque. OH MY THE BARBEQUE! Actually maybe I can just sum it up and remember baton rouge more than specifically barbeque. In about an hour inn baton rouge I got everything that I wanted out of that town. I'll start with the barbeque and say it was huge and the best of the trip so far. Went to captain Frank's smoke pit and got the sampler platter, enormous:
-Three giant ribs that were the best ribs I've ever had, absolutely perfect. They kept on the bone but when you took a bit they gave up easily. Great flavor and rub too, these ribs will haunt me.
-A half a chicken that was so moist and tender you could start a religion about it. I don't know how they didn't let it dy out but my mouth was too full of it to ask.
-a bunch of delicious pulled pork that was tender, juicy and just plain delicious. My oh myyyyyy!
-a big slab of brisket that was good but definitely fourth place on my platter. A little tough but definitely tasty. I would put some chicken in it for a meat sandwich.
-fixings of beans, slaw and tater salad, all delicious.

Basically I ate it all and it was definitely enough for two people, but I couldn't stop. I'll never forget this barbeque place in Bayou LA Batre, it fed me right and made moving difficult for hours to come.

Another reason while I'll never forget it is because while I was in there everyone kept talking about shrimp! A guy walked in and said they had unloaded 40,000 pins of shrimp already! Crazy! Then the cashier lady who calls everyone babe (here you go babe, sure thing babe, how's it taste babe) started talking about all the ways she likes her shrimp: fried, baked, grilled, gumbo.... I've never seen anything like it!

Then on my way out I saw a drawbridge that takes the road up like an elevator. It was pretty cool but maybe I was in a meat coma and just thought it was neater than it actually was.

When I got into Vancleave I found a bar to ask if they were playing the baseball game. As I pulled in though I noticed they had a huge backyard so I also asked if I could call in their yard. Score two for the good guys because I ended up with free bar adjacent camping and watched the game. Great game, heart thumping, heavy intensity. She even made food for the bar so I got a free meal out of it also. Mississippi you're trying to make me forget about Alabama but I can't, I just can't.

Back on the road now, short day to just get to some other place where I'm staying. Last three nights of sleeping: behind a bar, under a house, in a church. Weird.

Trip stats
Hours riding: 5:13.51
Day miles: 72.26
Total miles: 673.99
Average speed: 13.8 mph
Max speed: 32.7 mph

Picture of barbeque
Picture of barbeque shop
Picture of bed under home
Picture of bike crossing state lines

Day 39, Vancleave MS to 773 magnolia road outside Poplarville MS

I was thinking about today and I don't think much happened for the bulk of it so I'm just going to blast through the morning section.
- had breakfast at BJ's cafe and it was amazing. Vancleave was such an affordable town. Accommodation, dinner, five beers, big breakfast and coffee cost a total of 17 dollars tip included.
- radio stations today weren't all bad, even grabbed some NPR and they said that they liked the new Taylor Swift album. Thanks NPR.
- dogs chased me again. I'm so tired of angry dogs. So tired. I'm going 20 mph and they still rip after me. You're too slow man!
- beautiful riding today, low traffic and peaceful trees.

I'm staying tonight at Paul and Judy's place outside of Poplarville. They are both extremely nice and Paul is loaded with stories to tell.... Probably too many stories. I'm a little concerned that Paul is a bit racist and extremely conservative, but I'm white and don't talk about politics so I think it's going to be fine. In the end they cooked me a fantastic dinner and are planning a great sounding breakfast tomorrow so I'm in for that. The only place cheaper than Vancleave might be here. They are getting into bee keeping and are calling the honey magnolia honey, I'm okay with that. I don't think they know anything about coffee because Paul was really complaining about Ecuadorian coffee. The man says folgers is the best coffee he's ever had.... It's like talking coffee with someone that claims Tim Horton's is the greatest. Different tastes I guess. Anyway, nice enough folk that have been extremely hospitable to me which I enjoy.

Get into it!

Trip stats
Hours riding: 4:52.15
Day miles: 62.22
Total miles west: 736.22
Average speed: 12.7 mph
Max speed: 28.4 mph

Day 37, Pensacola FL to Dauphin Island AL

The day started off right with a solid breakfast from the church man. We talked cycling and bike trips and he was just an all around good dude. Very nice guy and he even gave me a bunch of energy gels and bars on my way out (he has millions). This could have been the most comfortable stop to date. I've been thinking about those milkshakes all day.

I'm also finally out of Florida and into Alabama. You were good to me Florida, I'll never forget you. I crossed a ferry through the gulf and it was weird seeing all the oil platforms. Bunches of them, full of oily oil. Mmmm, I wish they were pumping olive oil instead, yum. Update: turns out it is natural gas and not oil... Wish it was olive gas.

Staying under a random guys house tonight which is nice. There is internet, a hammock and I'm under a house so if anyone wants to get in the house I can charge them a toll like a troll. Profitable stay if the foot traffic picks up.

Watched some of the baseball game at the pelican pub tonight but it got out of hand fast so I left for sleep. Rowdy little town bar though, not a bad place but I'm always thrown when they allow smoking inside.

Trip stats
Hours riding: 4:42.55
Day miles: 65.93
Total miles west: 601.72
Average speed: 13.9 mph
Max speed: 30.7 mph

Day 36, Defuniak Springs FL to Pensacola FL

Not a bad day I say, not a bad day at all. It started off with a big risk by going off route and following Google instead of my maps. Some people I'd run into on the road said there was construction going into Pensacola and that the route was dangerous. I never actually found out what roads I should about entirely but I risked all and came in from the south. It turned out really great! Peaceful roads to start things off and then when I was confronted with traffic there was a wide shoulder. Just some beautiful riding along the beach also, full of serenity.

Things of now that happened today:
- had a pulled pork sandwich that was delicious. Moist and delicious I ate it up and didn't look back. Beans and slaw did the ticket also, delicious.
- collected some sand from the beach for my father. It was nice sand so I grabbed some and intended to give it to him probably by mail. It was weird when someone yelled at me saying I was stealing their sand but I just threw some sand in their eye and they left me alone.
- worked up a huge sweat today, really sweaty. Not sure in particular why today was so sweaty but it was and I had to live with it. I mostly lived with it by not doing anything but in fine with that.
- went to a "make your own burger" place that also does gourmet alcoholic milkshakes. If ordering two milkshakes two beers and a big burger is wrong then you need to reevaluate your priorities.... Also never talk to me again. Friendship over if that's how you feel.
- I'm staying at a church tonight for free and the church guy is really nice. He just did the trans America trail and it looked really cool. We talked Yellowstone for a bit which was cool. Also he is buying me breakfast tomorrow so that is just really nice, great time so far.
- Pensacola looks like an incredible cool town, very fun. I'm almost thinking I should stay another night because it looks so neat. I walked by an outdoor piano and give different pelican sculptures (Pappy). There are pelicans here like we had those bears and whales.
- I can make it to new Orleans for Halloween on Friday but since I didn't reserve anything I would have nowhere to stay. I'm not sure what to do anymore really because I want to push forward but definitely need to see new Orleans. I'll have to come up with something, some sort of a plan.
- did I mention the milkshakes? The only problem is that it is really only feasibly to order two at most.... I really wanted a third.
- the style pelican is named "stylican". Nice going art, you nailed it.
- MILKSHAKES!

Tomorrow I'm going to Dauphin island unless I stay here a day. I'll probably leave because I think the island had a campsite basically on the beach. Sweet sweet beach.

Trip stats
Hours riding: 6:21.11
Day miles: 92.01
Total miles west: 535.78
Average speed: 14.4
Max speed: 35.3
Sweat: loads

Day 35, Chipley FL to Defuniak Springs FL

October 26, 2014

Not much to report about riding today because I basically just got down to business. Business riding, business like. Short day also so just kind of did it. Fun fact about Defuniak, it is home to the second roundest lake in the world apparently. It is definitely a round lake, spring fed of course. Very nice little town, there is an old library and everything.

I did run into some people going the other direction while riding, a couple on a tandem bike and another guy who was on his first tour. He was just using Google so I told him about the maps I have, should help him out in the future. I saw what looked like another touring bike outside of the library in town but didn't track them down. Proof I'm not crazy.

BBQ: Had the barbeque sampler from 4-C barbeque in Defuniak. It was pretty really good but the ribs fell off the bone too easily, knife and fork ribs. Pork and brisket were also really nice, good eatin' I tell yah boy. When I took a photo of my meal the manager walked by and yelled, "Yeah, take a photo of that delicious 4-C barbeque to remember forever and to tell your friends. Send it to your friends and tweet it and put it on Facebook." I feel bad about taking food pictures but I have to do it, barbeque diary.

Today also marks the first Mexican food I've eaten which was also good. The dream is starting to come together. Barbeque and Mexican food, it's all happening. I want all the food, all of it.

Trip stats

Hours riding: 2:55.11

Day miles: 40.57

Total miles west: 443.77

Average speed: 13.8 mph

Max speed: 30.4 mph

Day 34, Tallahassee FL to Chipley FL

October 25

Today was a bit of a slog in the end, a bit sloggy. Maybe it was the not enough sleep, maybe it was too many beers last night. I'm not sure. What I think it is though is nutrition, I'm not eating enough. I only had a sandwich for dinner yesterday and it was fairly small. I definitely need more for than that, so many more calories. Also vitamins, need to remember my vitamins more.

The bicycle house guy made me some breakfast though, coffee and eggs, which was great. Good guy, apparently has some brain injury (coma?) And woke up and started this bike co-op. Following his dreams and really helping people out. Good guy.

After that though my legs just weren't pumping strongly. I slowly made it out to Quincy where apparently the porchfest was happening. I think it was just people playing music on their porches, not sure though. Anyway though, had a really average lunch at a small cafe and they were really slow. Average experience at the very best, contributed to the slog.

From there I just cycled it out, mile by mile. The scenery was okay, the hills were rolling and realized that the radio is terrible. I honestly can't imagine why there are radio stations anymore. I'm this close to swearing off radio entirely because this is getting out of hand. I swear that the station I was listening to was only playing about 8 songs. I decided that I can exercise my power as a consumer and go to a different station. The next station had the same 8 songs and maybe 3 more. Outrage. I get it Taylor Swift, your shaking it off. I just don't need to be constantly told that! And don't even get me started about being about the bass, don't get me started.

I'm in a hotel in Chipley tonight because I really just wanted to sit and do nothing. I've since polished off an entire pizza and could probably eat more. I'm going to see how much water I can drink also. I realize that I'm drinking a bunch of water but never need to urine. The water just goes into the system.

I also watched remember the titans, love that movie.

Oh and I crossed into central time so that's cool. So long east coast time, football starts too late in you. Central or bust!

Trip stats
Hours riding: 6:58.49
Day miles: 93.17
Total miles west: 403.19
Average speed: 13.3 mph
Max speed: 35.5 mph

Day 33, Fort White to Tallahassee FL

Pretty alright day overall, first full day on the new wheel and it rolled true. Had a slow start leaving the campsite but once I got rolling I was an absolute rocket ship. Just built for speed. Made great time.

I had lunch at a little restaurant in Madison and it was amazing. The brick house restaurant served me up a beautiful pulled pork sandwich with some great barbeque sauce. I had some fried green tomatoes on the side too, fantastic. Can I take a moment to talk about sweet tea also? It is so sweet and quenching, I'm crushing it often. Kind of wish I was drinking it right now...

I stayed in the bicycle house in Tallahassee which was an.... Experience. I didn't know what to expect but I knew it was free so that is nice. Turns out it is a funky bicycle co-op with some colorful people working there. I slept on a futon mattress behind a locker, oddly comfortable. I also went out for drinks to a place called the fermentation lounge. A hipster bar in the hipster part of town where I met some people from Cleveland and a guy who went to university in Newfoundland. It was fun to talk Newfoundland with someone, we had a laugh.

Overall a great day I guess, good wheel and good times.

Trip stats
Hours riding: 6:04.54
Day miles: 87.82
Total miles west: 310.02
Average speed: 14.4 mph
Max speed: 33 mph

Day 32, outside fort white to outside Madison FL

Well it was a good day, a fantastic day even. The best day? Let's not get crazy about it but it was really nice. Turns out it was cold in the night and I actually need to get in my sleeping bag instead of just lying on it. Cool air, finally a decent sleep camping. I think I went to sleep at 7:30? I had my book out and ready to read but it just didn't happen. Feel right asleep, no power. Slept in even, got a late start, no regrets. Camp oatmeal and coffee never tasted so good.

My regret of the day was that I misinterpreted my map and missed out on some barbeque for lunch. I could have eaten at Bob's butts barbeque! What am I doing down here if not trying to eat at Bob's butts? That's the point! It would have been amazing, it is officially the one that got away. I've had some good barbeque but I need more than this, I'm distraught over this one. It was right there! Bob's butts! Aaaaaa!

I'm also debating whether or not I'm going a bit crazy on the road here. I don't think so....but that's what a crazy person could say....

I ran into a couple older touring riders going the other way. Stopped for a chat and heard the legend of bicycle Bill! Apparently there is a homeless guy who just cycles the country. I might be able to catch up with him and apparently he has some great stories. He rides with some really wide panniers so I've heard, riding wide!

Going to Tallahassee today, home of the Seminoles. I get to stay there for free at a bike house so that is nice. Free stay!

Trip stats (lost data midway, if the computer is in the sun it resets) all estimates
Hours riding: 5:30
Day miles: 78.38
Total miles west: 222.18
Average speed: ~14 mph
Max speed: 33.4 mph

Day 31, Gainesville FL to outside Fort White FL

Well it finally happened, a good day, probably a very good day actually. I got up early and when got on my wiggly wobbly bike everything came back to me. All the bad feelings from yesterday's ride were there immediately. The bump with every rotation, the wheel twisted like a rung towel. Terrible. Awful. I almost ended the trip that day.

Went out for breakfast while I waited for the bike shop to open and had an ultimate skillet, delicious. Little did I know that pre-skillet Bradshaw, with his doubts and concerns was in for a surprise. My bike is fixed! New wheel among many other things, turns out it was in quite the shape. Repairs done included:
- realigning the front brakes
- brake tightening
- replacing the front shifting cable
- aligning the shifting head
- cleaning of the cassette
- new chain
- new wheel, checked and installed
- quick bike fitting which included dropping the seat and handlebars and changing my cleat position

After all of that it was only $200, the last bike shop told me the wheel alone would be $350. No thank you other bike shop, I'll go with these guys. It was all so good that I wrote a review on Google, my first review of anything online ever. Ever.

So after all that I think my woes are over with and I'm riding so fast right now. It was a short day of riding because that all took quite some time but I'm feeling very fast right now. Pulled into Fort White and could have either bought groceries for the campsite about ten miles away or some ribs to go from Charlie's. Got the ribs! Amazing cornbread and beans also but I was debating if the coleslaw was a bit funky. I debated right up until I finished the whole thing so I hope I don't get poisoned. Great ribs though, talked to the chef about them, good ribs. The funny thing too was that one of the other customers thought I looked like her brother so she bought me a beer. Turns out it's not only Brad Pitt lookalikes that get perks.

Now I'm in the campsite outside of town and it is nice enough. Hoping for some real speed tomorrow though, I want to open this baby up!

Trip stats
Hours riding: 4:07.09
Day miles: 51.45
Total miles west: 143.80
Average speed: 12.4 mph
Max speed: 28.9 mph

Day 30, St Augustine FL to Gainesville FL

Well today really tested my patience. There was a point today where I said, "why does it have to be like this, just let me finish today!" My wheel broke another spoke and this time it is the last straw. New wheel, no exceptions.

It all started off so great, sun shining and not too hot out. Then it immediately went bad because turns out I had a flat. Didn't even get to get on the bike. So my early start turned into a late one and I'm stuck on the side of the road changing a tire. It's been awoke since I've done this so it took a little longer that expected. Job done though and I even bought a new tube right along my route. Things could be getting better.

Nope! Now the spoke breaks, forty miles into the day and that wheel looks like it could snap at any moment. I'm tightening spokes loosening others and it doesn't matter, the wheel is messed up. I have to keep riding because the nearest bike shop is in Gainesville so hourly I can limp in. It was terrible. My wheel is shaking everywhere and there is a noticeable bump on the flat spot. The whole rest of the day I'm just cursing my wheel, but also praying it will hold on.

Somehow it did and I'm staying with a nice PhD student here in town through warm showers. I got a free place to stay and a free dinner even but my thoughts are heavy on my wheel. I'm going to order one in to Tallahassee and hope that my current wheel can get fixed enough to get me there. Only about a hundred and fifty miles, hang on wheel!

Trip stats
Hours riding: 6:36.04
Day miles: 91.25
Total miles: 91.25
(I'm subtotaling, all the previous miles were going south so these are now going west)
Average speed: 13.8 mph
Max speed: 21.9 mph

Day 26-29, Hanna lake campground to st Augustine

It was an easy day and a good one cycling into st Augustine. I left late and had no trouble with the miles, there might have been a little bit of a tailwind even. Beautiful cycling also, a lot of it right along the coast with the water crashing. Some good surfing in those waters it looked like.

Pulled into at Augustine on Friday and checked into the hostel. Nice little place right in the heart of town. Had a chat with the guy at the desk about how difficult it is to enforce the parking in town. Apparently they have three spaces and are constantly towing cars. That night I went and grabbed a drink at the local microbrewery and met this guy sitting at the bar. We ended up talking cycling and ended up going to a cigar bar together. Overall, great night, I had a blast.

Sunday was a great day of hilarious football watching. I was at the bar and this couple came in and sat next to me, Detroit fans. We are chatting and having a laugh and the bartender is laughing along with us. Jokes were everywhere! We laughed about the sports cape, overusing the weird "aggressive" and drinking out of straws and gourmet Popsicles. Just funny. When the bartender's shift ended we all parted ways but not before hugging it out and taking a photo of ourselves. We became close very quickly. I went somewhere else for dinner and ended up meeting a Scottish gal watching the game who was also a great laugh. Overall, great people and a great night.

Also sat in the beach on Saturday, real nice beach.

Monday I'm having some barbeque in town watching the game. Mojo old city barbeque, pretty excited about it.

Trip stats

Day miles: 49.9 (39.5 getting to st Augustine, 10.4 going to beach and back)

Total miles: 1522.56

No other stats, data lost

Day 25, Yulee FL to Hanna Lake campground FL

October 16, 2014

What a day what a day, a fantastic day. It was supposed to be such an easy day that I felt absolutely no pressure. I only had about 30-40 miles to go to where I would get my tire fixed then I would lounge on the beach until the football game. Perfect plan....I kind of forgot I actually needed to cycle the miles though and even 30 miles still takes time.

I slept in, had a lazy lunch, was moving oh so slowly and just loving it. I discovered the elusive "Greenway" which is a different route from Maine to Florida. Gorgeous route though, could be for next year. Basically I was going slow and seeing the sights.

I saw the biggest spider I've ever seen that isn't a tarantula, the size of my palm with a web the size of a pillow. Freaky. Saw people fishing off the bridge as they are prone to do down here. Took a ferry across the river for a dollar, steal of a deal. A man told me about a "joke" he made at Wednesday church, it wasn't funny.

I checked into the most beautiful campsite I've ever seen at Hanna lake park. It is like being in the jungle but there are showers and fire pits. I also finally swam in the Atlantic ocean. It felt good and I want to say saltier than the pacific but my frame of reference probably isn't on point. Felt nice though, ocean, waves.

Technically I'm within the city limits of Jacksonville which has made for a confusing realization for me. I always thought Jacksonville was a dump town, the Detroit of Florida for example. Turns out it is kind of gorgeous with surfing and beaches and street markets and healthy people. I'm starting to think that maybe they like the jaguars after all also. Perhaps Jacksonville is an alright place at the end of the day, I've enjoyed myself here and that surprises me.

Tomorrow is another easy day, 40 miles to st Augustine for the weekend. I'm booked in to the hostel and am looking forward to it. Watch out Saturday market, I'm going to buy all your oranges.

Trip stats
Hours riding: 5:38.12
Day miles: 67.24
Total miles: 1472.66
Average speed: 11.9 mph
Max speed:25.6 mph

Day 24, Nahunta GA to Yulee FL

October 15, 2014

Crossed into a new state, my fifth one so far. Pretty exciting to cycle through five states and Florida looks like it will be a good one. I'm not going to go into the day to day of it because it was basically just a good day of cycling, no big moments. Today was about the barbeque though, big Q day.

It started at Jalen's in Folkston, Georgia. A hole in the wall type place that looked dirty and tasted great. Had a big rib platter that was amazing, big tender ribs and a BBQ sauce loaded with flavor. If you're using the Wendy's system, you'll notice that their sign is worth two points (pig with a hat).

As I cycled away from that I was thinking I should probably eat a salad tonight. A couple days of solid barbeque and unhealthy meals needed to be balanced out. Turns out that wasn't the case because when I pulled into Yulee Florida there was a barbeque place across the street from my hotel. Dial it in! Ordered the three meat platter with pulled pork, brisket and smoked turkey. The turkey was the surprise winner, usually I find turkey is dry at a barbeque place but this was misty and delicious. Pair it with three different sauces (smokey, sweet, mustard based) and you have a great dinner. Not only that, a pint of brew was only two dollars! Crazy!

Very glad to have had a double barbeque day, love barbeque.

Trip stats
Hours riding: 5:57.43
Day miles: 79.12
Total miles: 1405.42
Average speed: 13.28 mph
Max speed: 24.3 mph

Day 23, Reidsville GA to Nahunta GA

October 14, 2014

Everything was going according to plan. I started early, I was making great progress. There was a headwind but I was still going forward. The rain hadn't hit yet, I was ahead of it. I grabbed a drink at a convenience store and a guy just bluntly said, "you gonn' get wet today boy".

I got drenched.

I was four miles outside of Nahunta when it happened, the sky opened. I've never seen rain like this before. I've never had a shower like this before. It was the most powerful rain I've ever felt. The road was thick with water and within seconds I was soaked to the bone. Lightning was everywhere and the thunder sounded like a semi was passing me. Basically it was terrifying and amazing, it's my top storm.

Also a guy at the gas station called me boss today, it feels like I'm finally in the south. "Where you going boss?" Sweet.

I also had a weird run in with a dog on a bridge today. I cycled along and there was a dog walking down the road. It notices me cycling towards it and just bolts back until it stops at this bridge. It just sits there in the middle of the bridge barking at me. I don't know what to do, how do I get around this troll dog? I end up just inching forward until I'm close enough that I can just blast by. At one point I yelled "GEARS!" in the hope man's invention of gears can outrun the speedy dog. In the end I would like to thank my calves for powering me forward and avoiding rabbis.

Great day overall: troll dog, boss call, power storm.

Trip stats
Hours cycling: 6:28.32
Day miles: 84.24
Total miles: 1326.3 mph
Average speed: 13.0 mph (moderate headwind)
Max speed: 29.2 mph

Day 22, Statesboro GA to Reidsville GA

Well it was a poor day for miles but an overall pretty great day. Not a lot great happened I guess now that I think about it:

-The bakery i wanted to go to in the morning was out of business (i did good another one though)
-I mismanaged my water consumption so was riding for about 10 miles very thirsty.
-The local bike ship couldn't replace my wheel so I had to pay for another fix.
-Due to the wheel fiasco, I was only riding during the heat of the day

I did find a nice little corner store that made some mean fried chicken though. On top of that everyone was friendly and asking me where I was going to. One guy asked me confusingly, "Hey man, is there any money in what you're doing? 'Cause I see a bunch of guys like you come through here and I'm thinking, maybe they know something we don't". No kind stranger, there is no money in this.

I also have a nice campsite and made the most ghetto dinner possible. I bought my groceries at essentially a " Canadian tire " type store, somewhere you would buy a microwave oven and some bleach. Their produce section was just a couple of five pounds bags of onions. Bought some frozen chicken and biscuit mini sandwiches and a can of country gravy. Heat it up and put it in my mouth. It was something, I don't think it was incredible but maybe it is full of the energy I need. Just maybe.

Best part of the day though, maybe the best part of my life to this point, was hearing an old southern man talk about ribs. I was in the town gas station and this older man asked where I was going. Blah blah blah, I asked him about the campsite in town. He told me I won't have a problem finding a space but if I was here last week maybe I would because there was a cookout in town. Then, in the way only a true man from the south could say it, he said, "some cookout though, ribs that would fall off the bone". It sounded more like " ribs dat wood fawwl off da bowne", amazing. I hope to one day be that relaxed about ribs in my life.

A storm is brewing so I'm going to try and beat it out and get an early start. It will be bringing a headwind at me so getting the miles could be difficult but I think it is worth a try at least. If I get my hundred the next three days after that will be all too easy. Very excited about what will happen, could be riding through my first serious weather.

Trip stats
Hours riding: 4:10.34
Day miles: 48.58
Total miles: 1242.0
Average speed: 11.6 mph
Max speed: 30.9 mph

Day 21, Savannah GA to Statesboro GA

October 12, 2014

Aaarrrggghhh! Today was an incredibly frustrating day, lots went wrong. For starters I got off to a late start because bed was incredibly comfortable. I was okay with it, no regrets. I cycled out about ten miles before realizing that I forgot my lock back at the hostel! Aaaa! So annoying. I had to cycle back to the hostel then back out, the timing on my day was officially shot. I was hurrying though and thought I could make it to my goal anyway, after all, my legs were fresh. Before I knew it I had broken another spoke, my wheel is trashed. I was able to limp into Statesboro but this wheel is toast and is getting replaced tomorrow (hopefully). Tomorrow I'm going to go to the local bike shop and see if they can replace my wheel. I'm tired of all the problems and just need to start over, this wheel has broken three spokes, never been true, has a large flat spot and is costing more in repairs than it would be to replace it. So long wheel, I'm moving on with my life.

That said I don't know if this bike shop can make time for me so I might be stuck in Statesboro for a day or so, we'll see. It doesn't look like there is much here so I hope it goes quickly and I can get back on the road. Who knows though, maybe there is some stellar barbeque I can find.

Another crazy hot day also, scorching me. I've got some nice looking heat rash going on with my legs so that is new. Not sure how I'm going to fix this but I'm going to try only one coat of sunscreen on my legs tomorrow. Risky.

Trip stats
Hours riding: 5:30.21
Day miles: 75.81
Total miles: 1193.4
Average speed: 13.7 mph
Max speed: ? Error

Day 19/20 Savannah rest days

Well I love Savannah also, what a town. There are town squares everywhere and they are all just gorgeous. Old oaks covered in Spanish moss with park benches and statues to the different moments in history. Another town just great for walking around in and soaking up.

I drank some nice coffee, fell down historic stairs, ate a godfather sandwich at zumzis (a Savannah institution), checked out the river walk and whooped it up at some bars with some people I met on Friday night. Overall, Savannah has been good to me. The school here, Savannah college of at and design (SCAD), is an arts school so there are nice galleries and live music everywhere.

Now I need to get back to the road and crunching up the miles. It has been a pretty easy couple of days with these breaks so I'll need to cycle on a Sunday. Hopefully I can get through it quickly enough and not miss too much of the games. Fingers crossed.

BBQ
Bubs barbeque in Savannah
Got the pork and ribs plate and it was good. It was a bit of a nicer barbeque place because the other two in town were closed. One because of renovations and the other because of a catering event. Even though this was my third choice it was really good, maybe it should have been higher on the list. Great ribs, perfect even.

Trip stats
Hours riding: 1:36.35
Day miles: 11.09
Total miles: 1117.6
Average speed: 6.8 mph
Max speed: 14.3 mph

Day 18, just outside Walterboro SC to Savannah GA

Well it was a good day of riding, got off to an early start. Initially, my intention was to ride to Statesboro which was 120 miles out so I needed the early start. I left my ghetto A frame and cycled into town and grabbed breakfast at the waffle house. I could tell it was going to be hot again, must be in the south.

I was making good progress but kept seeing signs along my route saying Savannah was about 25-30 miles closer than my maps were predicting Statesboro was. I kept thinking it was weird but knew I was riding back roads. Last time I varied from the maps was myrtle beach and it was terrible. TERRIBLE. Never again I said. Never.  By lunch time I had altered my course to follow a Google maps route to take me straight to Savannah. I hoed myrtle beach wouldn't happen again.

What resulted was actually a pretty decent route, low traffic and an okay road. It was long and straight but that is about the worst I can say about it. Google did new right this time but I maintain my resolve of "never again". Overall though it guided my into Savannah along a nice route with low traffic and got me there in time to watch football.

Checked into the Savannah pensione (kind of like a hostel?) and have a nice room. So far I love Savannah, more than Charleston possibly. I think there is more crime here but there is also more town squares. Correlation? Probably not. Great town though, probably the most amazing.

Trip stats
Hours riding: 7:17.23
Day miles: 98.06
Total miles: 1106.5
Average speed: 13.4 mph
Max speed: 24.8 mph

Day 17, Charleston to just outside Walterboro

October 8, 2014

The one thing I'll never forget about today, is the heat. Oh my the heat. I've sweat in my day but I don't think I've ever reached this level of just pure sweat. It was roasting all day, from morning until night. BeforeI left Charleston I grabbed a bacon maple glazed donut from glazed. Glad I did because after that it was just heat. Heat heat heat.

I ended up having to buy a sweat band because of how hot it  was and it is both a blessing and a curse. Blessing because sweat and sunscreen stay out of my eyes now, curse because wringing it out is gross. Just nasty.

Ate some barbeque at browns BBQ in Monk's corner and it was good. Buffet style serve with some mustard pulled pork and white fish. The fish was tasty and the pork sweet and full of flavor. Beans and rice in the side hit the spot. Though this barbeque was good apparently there was a place in town called music man's barbeque that was closed. I'll bet that place is amazing.

Stayed at a really weird camp/farm/commune type thing. Stayed there for free though and had a little A frame to call my own. Very unusual, very ghetto (I discovered there was a frog with me while I was showering) and a million mosquitoes but overall okay. Made some chili for dinner and made my skin burn with deet. Not a bad evening.

Trip stats to bike campsite outside walterboro
Hours riding: 7:20.39
Day miles: 100.52
Total miles: 1008.5
Average speed: 13.6 mph
Max speed: 34.5 mph