April 5, Day 36

Today we made it to Florida - the final state! It's the second longest state for miles we need to travel, but it sure was a good feeling to enter Florida. 

 



This morning we went through some beautiful communities in Alabama along the gulf.  Huge live oaks full of spanish moss stretching over the roads, very nice homes overlooking the bay, and great roads made the morning very enjoyable.  Every road we travelled on in Alabama was wonderful - most had shoulders and all were smooth, recently re-surfaced roads. 

We went over a lot of bridges today - a lot of bridges.

The white sand beaches here are very nice



For me today felt more like a training day than a touring day.  Usually we ride at an effort level just below the point where you begin to really work.  I couldn't find that point today - felt like I was working hard all day - just couldn't get into the groove.  Besides that thought, it was a perfect day for riding - great roads, perfect temperature (about 65), started the day with a tailwind (it was nice to work with the wind for once, even if it was only for 15 miles) and great scenery. 

My rear tire gave up today.  I put new tires on right before we began this trip.  The rear tire had worn so thin that it split right down the middle in a 2-3" gash.  So, I threw on a spare tire that I brought along and Dad went to a bike shop to get two new ones.  I guess 2,500 miles is the limit for a bike tire! 

We ended up in Milton, Florida - logging exactly 100 miles for the day.