FernandinaBeach
By
Monday, September 12, 2005
September 13, 2005
Yes I made it to Fernandina Beach. Tonight was the farewell banquet before our final day. I will post photos and thoughts about today's ride tomorrow.
So tomorrow came early Wednesday. I think the excitement of finishing the ride, woke me up early. I can't fall back to sleep so I may as well finish yesterday's web page.
We left Brunswick early for a 64 mile day. Perhaps everyone else but me knew that our tail winds had come to an end. That meant we actually had to ride our bikes the whole way rather than being pushed partially by the wind. Also the terrain changed nearly immediately. The number of trees went way down and the land is covered in lower vegetation with an occasional palm tree.
I have a fear of heights. That has meant that I have had to take the SAG vehicle across a few high bridges. I never quite know which ones will trigger my fear and which ones I can manage. We had one overpass early in the day. Most riders went over the overpass while I determined that the overpass was only crossing some railroad tracks and was able to take the side street. One dodged! A few miles down the road the cue sheet read Danger Narrow Bridge. I made my way over, clutching my handlebars tightly. Half way across, I was passed by Mike driving the mechanics SAG. He quickly sped ahead, pulled off the road, jumped out of the van, and gave me the big thumbs up. One of the benefits of cycling with a group like ABB, is the personalized service. They have SAGed me over many bridges in my 4 tours with them, and I am most appreciative.
Early on, we passed by a cross roads of sorts. We left Georgia 303 to pick up US Route 17 South. We had been travelling 17 for the past few days. Notice that this route is also known as Georgia Bike Route 95 and intersects with Georgia Bike Route 10. We stopped in the service station to use the "White Door". The While Door refers to the indoor bathroom rather than the "Green Door" on the side of the road. Often when we've stopped in service stations, the clerks have been amazed and impressed with our journey. This particular clerk was not so impressed. Being at the crossroads of two bicycle routes, she sees many cyclists. She proudly told us that in fact, last spring while training for the Tour de Georgia, Lance Armstong had come in. Now we were impressed!
The south is different. Sometimes that is noticeable from peoples accents, sometimes from the vegetation, and other times just from the way that businesses prompte themselves. In the north, one often sees signs for estate sales or antiques. In Georgia, they are much more direct: Dead Peoples Things For Sale. That prompted me to lay down in front of the sign. I don't know what possessed me to respond in that manner but it certainly brought out many cameras.
We experienced another delightful ABB SAG stop in a park. The riders I've been with the past few days have become know as Team Zed, in constrast with the fast riders known as Team A. We also sometimes go by the Magnificant Seven. More about that later. To balance out the SAG in the park, lunch was in an abandoned Chevron gas station. We ate sitting next to the pumps.
We again crossed over many beautiful rivers. This particular river divides Georgia from Florida. The bridge that crosses the river was closed to vehicles and open to bicycles. It in the middle of remodeling.
Once we crossed the bridge, we entered our final state: Florida.
The day was heating up and we headed closer to the beach. We stopped the SAG vehicle to refill our water bottles and Dave was attacked by some low hanging vines.
I rode past the hotel upon arriving. The beach was only 1 block away. The drop of on the right side of the photo is about 3 feet -- all recent due to the effects of Hurricane Ophelia.
I checked into my room, put on my bathing suite and headed back to the beach. The rip tides were too strong for swimming.
In the evening we had a banquet to say good bye to everyone. Team Zed made a presentation. (Insert our Poem when I have time to re-type it). The staff sang a few songs and we ate cake. Each rider received a certificate and made a few brief remarks of thanks. Nearly 60% of the riders had been on a ride with ABB on other rides. That level of repeat business indicates the quality of service ABB gives riders.
I have a movie of the staff singing one of their songs. It is about 10MB, so you need a fast connection to the internet. 
The staff posed for a final picture.
Jim, Bob, Mike, Shane
Lee, Karen, Barb, Susan
(Karen and Susan joined us for the last portion after the ABB Mississippi River ride was abandoned due to Hurricane Katrina)
