Tour de Brevard

Well I have to say that it was a spectacular ride on Saturday! The morning started early and chilly about 8 am and the air was just about 50 F, winds were light out of the north. I started out north along US1 up to Columbia Parkway out to the NASA Visitor’s complex. The sky was very clear and the sun was bouncing off the water nearly blinding me. Headed south toward RT3 or SR 3 into Merritt Island. It was a great leg. I was listening to some classical music on my MP3 player (some Hunt for Red October and Hannibal soundtracks) while riding through the orange groves on the north end of the island. Up to this point, I felt strong and ready for the long day ahead keeping a 23 mph pace. I made it to the Bee Line and into the busy section of M.I. and through with no problems…traffic was thick but not even an issue. I ride like I own the road! Heading down S. Courtney (SR3) I decided to take my first break. I found this park (Rotary Park) about 3-5 miles down S. Courtney. I was at my 30 mile mark already and been gone only an hour and a half….making good time. Well after a gel pack, a call to Carmen and some Gatorade…I’m off. I continued down what is now South Tropical Trail along the river….very nice ride. No cars and a few new homes since the last time I rode down the street (about 9 years ago). I continued that leg for several mile, but to be honest, not sure how many…it’s a long day and I’m not going to start counting now. Made it down to 192 in S. Melbourne area and started west to go over the causeway…(Big Bride). It looked tall at first but I attacked it and got over it in good fashion!! Going down…I hit about 42 mph. Got to the intersection of 192 and US1 and made my left to hit the next long leg of the ride. First thing that I notice was the amount of repair work that was still going on down there from the storms over the last summer! Allot of road reconstruction, and some lanes were still closed!! Still tons of blue tarps adorn many of the roofs in this particular area. But it was nice….used to ride this area several times a week before, so it felt good to be back in my old riding grounds. Still, body is strong and maintaining that 23 mph pace. I am starting to notice that I have many miles behind me and still many more to do. I start to rethink my idea of going to Sebastian….instead I pull off of US1 at Valkaria...I’m at mile 60 already and I still have to ride back!! Turned right on to Valkaria Rd and headed west for about 5 miles then right onto Babcock St. Just up the street a ways I take my second break…now at mile 70! I pull over at a BP gas station and have a Power Bar! It’s still before noon and I’m about 3 and a half hours into my day! Not too bad. I take my time and relaxed and called Carmen for about ten minutes than it’s time to get going. I cut through BCC Palm Bay Campus and head west on Malabar Rd to Minton Rd…made a right and headed north. This road has chanced a ton over the years. Pretty good bike lane!! Continued up Minton and then headed west (again) on 192. Wasn’t I on this road hours ago! Anyway made the right onto John Rhodes and head north to Turtle Mound Rd…then hopped over to N. Wickham. I’m now about 87 miles into the day and I’m still in Melbourne. POP….SSSSSS….wobble…you got it…I got a flat! It’s bound to happen. I pulled over at the BCC campus on N. Wickham to change it and 10 minutes later, I’m back on the bike. Took Post road over to US1 then north on US1. I decided that going around the stadium would make the ride too long and the wind is starting to pick up (12 mph). Starting to feel it! I thought that I would take the river road back home and that is what I did!! I did stop in Cocoa Village. It turns out that there was an art show going on so I stopped for a bit to drink and to call home. Now I’m at mile 107!! Getting tired…but all in all feel good! The rest of the ride was uneventful and actually pretty relaxing. I managed to finish the ride with 121 miles and a 19.7 mph pace. Felt real good when I got home and not as tired as I usually am. Legs were a bit sore though! As soon as I got home I took a hot bath and ate dinner..French Toast!!! MMMMM. Today is now Sunday and my legs feel actually quit normal and I could go out and do it again…but I’m not. I’m going to relax! Next ride...150?!