Day 7: Titusville KOA to Atlantic Ocean

It was Saturday, and the last day of my travels. I’d coordinated with the person meeting me to pick me near the beach at 11:00. I figured I’d get on the road by 8:00. With my slowpoke pace, I typically estimate 10 mph plus some. Since I had about 20 miles to go, 11:00 should give me plenty of time to get there.

I packed up camp and snapped a picture of most of my gear outside of my panniers. My cook gear and dishes are already in the front panniers. You can see my gas bottle in that front pannier (the red bottle). My tent goes in the tube bag on the back pannier (you can see it in the left picture). Not quite sure what everything weighs in at, but I used everything I took on the trip.

• 

• 

I got moving, and it was cool. A little foggy even, as I road back to meet up with the trail again.

The miles few by, and before I knew it I was in Titusville proper. There was a big overpass that plops you into the city. After a couple of turns, I came upon Indian River and took a crappy selfie because I was excited about seeing big water and being so close. (Note the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy T-shirt. Holla!)

Very soon after this, I took a right onto a very large bridge. It would have been lovely to snap some photos, but not exactly safe. So I shifted into my granny gear and pedaled away.

Going down that hill was really fun, by the way. My maximum speed that day was only 18.4 mph though. Not my fastest by a long shot. (I got up to around 30 mph going down a hill when I did my tour around the Gaspé Peninsula in 2018. And that was with some braking!!)

Anyhoo, I made it across the bridge and kept peddling east. At one point I saw a sign saying “no bicyclists before 9:00 a.m.” I was sure it was after that time, so I didn’t even bother looking. When I stopped later, I realized that I had entered that section of road before 9:00. I’d made such good time, I never would have expected it.

As I rode I was treated with some lovely scenery along the way. A lot of saltmarsh habitat.

At one point there was a hill going up to some overlook. It was pretty steep, but I made it up. Then I looked down and saw a much less steep entry to the same hill. I’d gone in the out door of the hill. It was a nice view of the saltmarsh though, so no regrets.

I kept on cycling. The terrain was flat and the wind was going my way. Eventually I came to the Ranger station. It’s $10 for a day pass even for bikes. If you’re driving it’s $20. I was a little grumpy about paying the fee considering I was pretty much going to just ride out, dip my tires in the water, and ride back. But it goes to preserving the beautiful land, so it’s all good.

The Ranger told me I had 4 miles to go.

I kept on peddling in. Apparently Boardwalk 13 is the place to be!

And then I was there. The first boardwalk was closed off, so I had to go to the next. Somehow I had it in my head I’d just ride nearly straight to the ocean. I guess I’ve been to Fort Lauderdale a few too many times. I wasn’t counting on a huge sand dune standing between me and my final destination.

I decided to pull my panniers from the bike and walk my bike up the boardwalk and over the the ocean for the final bit.

I asked a lady to take my picture, just like I did when I was leaving St. Pete seven days before.

We made it!!

I really did feel relieved. I thanked the lady for taking my picture, and I walked Socrates back across the boardwalk and put his bags back on him. Then I walked back across to dip my toes in the water.

The weather was perfect. The water was cold. Plenty of folks didn’t mind though. Folks were swimming in it.

After not too long, I got my fill of the beach. I thanked the universe for a memorable trip and the opportunity to even do it. Then I headed back to Socrates. We still had 4 miles to go.

Since it costs cars $20 to come across, it didn’t make much sense for my friend to pay it when we’d just be turning around and coming back. So I still had to get back to the Ranger station.

Along the way there was a turtle crossing the road. I helped get traffic stopped as it finished its ramble across the road. A driver clapped for me as I waved everyone on again. It was funny.

When I got to the Ranger Station, there was a long line to pay the fee and go to the beaches. I pulled over by a sign in a car pull-off area and sat in the shade, waiting for my friend. After not too long she arrived. We greeted each other. I regaled her with tales for a few minutes, before we packed Socrates into the back of her SUV. Then we had the long drive back to St. Pete.

And it was long. We hit traffic. We tried diverting and that didn’t really help. We stopped for lunch along the way though, so that was nice and got us off the road.

It feels weird being in a car after riding for a full week. You feel like you are moving really, really fast….

Despite traffic, we eventually made it back to my place. I’m super grateful for my friend to come all that way to pick me up. Round-trip even, all in one day!

It was good to be home, and I definitely appreciated sleeping in my own bed that night. My sleeping pad is alright, but after 7 days of it I needed a more comfortable sleep.

And that’s all she wrote for this bike tour! Already thinking about the next one…