Day 30: DeFuniak Springs to Midway (5 west of Tallahassee), FL

Distance: 116 mi (187 km)
Cumulative Distance: 2,670 mi (4,297 m)
Average Speed: 17.0 mph (27.4 kph)
Climb: 4,527 ft (1,380 m)
Cumulative Climb: 130,468 ft (39,767 m)
Flats: 0
Cumulative Flats: 16

We are now in the Eastern Time Zone, Daylight Saving version.

Not a lot of activity today except pedalling. The roads were quite flat, although we did do some hills, the shoulders were smooth, the winds were light and the sun was bright. All in all, we could not have asked for better conditions for one of our longer rides. As usual, we had our post ride beer, debrief and discussion about the next day’s ride. If we deviate from the Adventure Cycling Assn route once again, we estimate about 220 mi to St Augustine, so today’s discussion centred on whether or not to “git ‘r’ done” and do two 110 mi days. That’s what we decided to go for so we should hit St A on Saturday afternoon and be back in Bonita on Sunday.

We met people again today who were charming, amazed at our activity and friendly. Gaby has the knack of finding these. While parked, waiting for the driver change to occur, she met Barb and Christine.

Another biker, Sid, from somewhere in the Carolinas, crossed our path. He’s a Lions member raising money for some cause for his club. He’s a loner, left San Diego well before us and plans to head north at Jacksonville for home. We chatted and gave him a drink of nice cool water.

A sheriff nabbed Gaby again today. It was a prank from another lawman that sent the guy on foot for a few blocks to check her out. After a minute of talk he realized he’d been had.

We happened to do a driver change at this picturesque southern plantation style home.

Time to ‘fess up. A couple of days ago the three guys were about a mile into the ride when Dave said: “I forgot my water bottles.” Lee immediately said: “me too.” Keith then also admitted he’d done the same. Don’t know what the probability is of all three of us having a “senior moment” on the same day, but it happened. Luckily, Gaby had not left the motel yet, so a quick phone call resolved the issue.