Stage 7 Jacksonville

The drive to Jacksonville was very long. Some of us rose early in Atlanta and had the most stunning breakfast at Joe’s house where the banter round the table was distinctly Irish in tone. Following an appearance at Glenn Memorial UMC adult Sunday School and a farewell to Beth, we hit the road and got to Florida at about 7.45pm.

We promptly left for our host’s homes before reassembling at 7am the next morning. VERY early.

But we needed to be on the road early to beat the heat. Atlanta, the previous Saturday for the Silk Sheets Route had had its hottest day of the year so far. So imagine our delight to hear that Jacksonville was anticipating their hottest for Monday. And it was hot – mid-90s apparently. The route was terrific, very flat and safe. We formed a paceline and averaged close to 20 mph for most of the way round.

But it got sooo hot. Everytime we stopped to take on water which was frequently, the sweat just poured out  of us. The sun hit us like a hammer.

We quit the road about 1230, having ridden hard for about 3.5 hours. By that stage the road is heating up as well so you get radiant heat from below and the sun from above.

Great ride…but hot.

Later that afternoon we found some space to get away from one another. Some went to the beach. Some drank coffee and read for a while. It was much needed solitude of a sort.

Thanks to Rick Neal and the good people of Beach UMC who hosted a dinner for us in the evening.

~ by crookedshore on June 14, 2007.