There are no delays today. A light breakfast and I'm ready. We also know that in about 5 miles, we're turning south and that is the end of the winds. In fact when I look at the map and our position, I see we're even closer than I knew. We need only cross the bridge and we're in East Palatka and we turn South on highway 100. The roads are fair to good, mostly good, mostly full shoulders. We're getting tested quickly however. A little "Angry Rock Road" like Texas, but it doesn't last long. A few sprinkles but not even enough to wet the road, just a quick reminder that we had mostly rain free weather. The terrain is even helping as we head toward the coast it is mostly even and slightly down and only very most grades. Our pace is quick. Remember that hauling all the gear adds about 70 lbs to each bike, we make about 17-19 MPH. The first 29 miles go quickly and we stop at Bunnell for some breakfast, it is now 10 AM and we are half way to the beaches in Daytona Area.

We pick up highway one and as the heat starts to warm up, next thing we know is we're at the beach area ( one and hours at 18 miles per hour) and it is time to move off track and get a picture at the end of the ride. I meet an old marine that has over 50 trips to Viet Nam working with all sorts of people over there and retired. The funny thing was listening to him make excuses of why he couldn't lose weight, finally understanding what I have sounded like to friends of mine that are in shape and have CHOSEN to stay that way. Yes we are the same basic age, I think he is about 6 months older and I'll never disrespect any marine, and he was a lifer and served in Viet Nam. So I just listen, empathize, and pass on a few tidbits of what I learned on the trip and tell him when he is ready, he can get it all back, that I believed in him, after all he is a marine. ( Once a marine always a marine)

Today was a little longer than we thought but just whizzed by. Almost 70 miles with diversions and the ride to Port Orange.

Oh I'm resting today, I need more than a few days off, but already am thinking of my next big ride, and setting new fitness goals. Later I find out that Seth has finished his ride and has invited me to come up to Saint Augustine to Celebrate at Flagler Hospital on Saturday for what I think is a benefit of sorts.

Even as I am writing this almost 24 hours after the fact, what we have done is just starting to sink in. It is all still a blur. I do remember a hug from my son, the one that cursed me on day one, who now can do back to back century rides with a 60 lb trailer in headwinds !

"Thanks for taking me along" It doesn't get much better than that folks!

In the next page I'll try to give you a summary of things to think about if your reading this to plan your own ride, sum up some experiences and try and explain what I learned about myself and my own life doing this. Finally when I get to Maui I'll take a final "after" picture to compare with the "before" picture in Maui.