Cross Florida 2011
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The "Cross Florida" bike ride was started in 1976, the same year as the inaugural Assault on Mount Mitchell.The "X-Florida starts in Cocoa Beach and ends in Weeki Wachee Gardens.
It's hosted by the Spacecoast Freewheelers.
I missed the first 10 or more. I then rode 9 straight before retiring from the "Cross
Florida."
It was one of the"classics" that some of us did "back in the day". It seemed that all the classics were "point to point". As "Mitchell" and "Bridge to Bridge", Cross Florida started in one place and ended in another. The logistics were nightmares to get "back".
So- some of the "point to points" fell out of favor with me.
But Sallie (Sarah) Whitmore asked me to drive down with her and do the ride. As when John Bryan (one of the founders of the Assault on Mitchell) called and said, "I have a room for Boston-Montreal-Boston, come on and ride it!", or when John Bryan said, "I have a room for "Ride Across Missouri", come with me and ride it!", when Sallie asked, I said, "okay".
It really is a great ride. The length kills me though. Arthritis produces too much inflamation.
But- I got through another "Cross Florida".
The bulk of my story lies at my "Bicycle Inn" site: Cross Florida 2011. Due to censorship of critical truths, I choose to spread my cycling hubs and more, to the Bicycle Inn. Enjoy more pictures and more story there. Follow the Cross Florida 2011 at the "Inn".
You can read about Micky's first 9 "Cross Floridas" on Hubpages at:
The Cross
Florida Ride
Micky's first 9
years.
Micky Dee
2011 Cross Florida
Sallie had the right idea buying that hat with the strong and long "bill".
The sun turns the head toward the road.
The road is hotter than the air and turns your head back up.
Only 170 miles to go!
We're riding from Florida's East Coast to the Florida's Gulf Coast.
It's one day and 170 miles.
Leaving the Islands, we have a large group and we "cover up".
We take advantage of the "draft".
This is the biggest hill for quite a while.
It's a little cool early but sure to warm up.
Sallie is so strong and fast.
She makes a pretty picture.
Our Space Coast Freewheeler photographer worked hard all day.
He took pics, sagged, and worked with the bike truck late into the night.
We saw carnivals, gatherings, and peacocks.
We put some extra miles in around Kissimmee.
170 wasn't enough.
This was "brick" covered with tarmac, but pot-holed.
This stretch of rough road finished off my shoulder which was already a mess.
Notice the reflections in the water.
I may have hallucinated.
A coke and cold water relieved my shoulder's inflammation and pain.
The last 5 miles were a struggle.
I rode on vapors for hours.
Cool beverages saved me.
Very friendly people all day.
There were adequate SAGs (rest-stops).
After hours on the bike, soft drinks help my stomach.
I usually don't drink them.
Workers, spectators, family, and friends greet and help the riders in.
And- it feels so gooood when we quit!
Lost about 10 lbs. today.
Mostly water of course.
Sallie breezes in!
And she seems to bear it all better than I.
God bless her!
Our photographer and all the workers toiled endlessly!
We have a "rider reunion" of sorts at Ron Jon's Surf Shop.
It's a small "cycling world".
Ron Jon's is a must stop for some of us.
It's a little ritual.
We stop by Adventure Cycles in Merritt Island.
A former employer is still going strong.
God bless you Carol!
And- we get into the little yellow VW Bug and float up I-95 and 10 hours or less we're back where we started in the Durham, North Carolina area.
Thanks for stopping by.
For more photos- please follow the Cross Florida link below.
The Bicycle Inn
Micky Dee's 2011 Cross Florida
CommentsLoading...
That is quite an accomplishment for a one day ride. The photographs are great. Thanks for sharing this.
Nicomp! No flag on this one? Doesn't go against your views? The 911 hub was new and different and orderly. The info wasn't scattered over the web. It was a "service". You didn't agree. Burn any books lately?
mckbirdbks - thank you very much for your warm words. God bless you.
WOW Micky Dee - 170 miles in 1 day .... looooong ride. I had to convert to km's to figure out how long - 273 km - yowser!....sore butt I bet..primarily flats?....I luved the photos....i must get back on my bike - it feels so good doesn't it? miss that good feeling of exhaustion after a ride....I'm just riding a much faster one these days...thanks for sharing that!
MD Great hub and pics FOLK just don't REALISE how far exactly 170 MILes is too ride 50 miles hurts,70 miles 1HURTS, 80 miles HUUrts, 90 miles HURRTs, 100 miles!! HURRTSS, 120 miles HURTTSSS! THis must have really HUUURRRRT! 170!! you guys are amazing, i can fully empathise with anyone up to a hundred or so but 170 takes guts and character because its pain and suffering after 100.
Its not as if you fellas are young guys. Great brotherhood/sisterhood you all seem to have there MD. I bet that battered, bust up shoulder of yours must have given you grief.
A massive 'big up' to you and all your buddies who did the event Micky- days like this make the rest of life not as important. Will visit your cycling site.
There you go again, my uncle. This was beautiful with amazing pictures. I like it so much. Thanks for writing this and share with us. You always bring such wonderful hubs with lots of interesting topics. My pray always for you. Cheers....
Your nephew, prasetio
Mickey Deeeeeeeeeee :)
Well hello again :) I must say I enjoyed this hub
love the way you tell it.
Thank you for sharing with us something so great
I admire you, not because am so crappy on a bike
but because you have so much life in you..
I need to get a bike...asap hahaha :))
Great hub my friend THUMBS UP
I envy you brother man, wish I could get out and ride a bike again. I enjoy your little picture trips across the country.
God Bless Micky Dee
Thank you SomewayOuttaHere. Everything hurts at the end of 170. Even the hair.
Nomoretrucks! You know what it's all about.
Nomoretrucks- what you do is harder. What I did is very painful but still in "controlled conditions".
When you set out on one of your expeditions- you are more exposed to elements and other hardships that test the human spirit. You carry more weight.
But yes sir, you know -"50 miles hurts,70 miles HURTS, 80 miles HURRTs, 90 miles HURRTs, 100 miles!! 110 HURRTSS, 120 miles HURTTSSS! THis must have really HUUURRRRT! 170!!" Yes sir - brother man - it hurt. But you and I will hurt and throw salt into our own wounds. God bless you nomoretrucks.
God bless you prasetio. God bless you dear nephew!
Leptirela- thank you dear. We need to use it or lose it in my case. God bless you for your kind words.
VietnamVet brother man! God bless you son. I'm just into pain bud. I'm not married so I get it where I can. God bless the Vietnam Vet!
Thank you SomewayOuttaHere. Everything hurts at the end of 170. Even the hair.
Nomoretrucks! You know what it's all about.
Nomoretrucks- what you do is harder. What I did is very painful but still in "controlled conditions".
When you set out on one of your expeditions- you are more exposed to elements and other hardships that test the human spirit. You carry more weight.
But yes sir, you know -"50 miles hurts,70 miles HURTS, 80 miles HURRTs, 90 miles HURRTs, 100 miles!! 110 HURRTSS, 120 miles HURTTSSS! THis must have really HUUURRRRT! 170!!" Yes sir - brother man - it hurt. But you and I will hurt and throw salt into our own wounds. God bless you nomoretrucks.
God bless you prasetio. God bless you dear nephew!
Leptirela- thank you dear. We need to use it or lose it in my case. God bless you for your kind words.
VietnamVet brother man! God bless you son. I'm just into pain bud. I'm not married so I get it where I can. God bless the Vietnam Vet!
I'm exhausted just thinking about all that riding. I have no idea where you get your energy, but if you could just bottle some of it up and send me, I'll be eternally grateful Great ride, great hub, great trip!
Mickey Dee, I always enjoy riding along with you on these bike trips, even if it is vicariously. Loved it, voted up/awesome.
Micky,
Unbelievable
The length kills you? um? uh? well must be hard? to ride then.
Seriously I can't imagine how good of shape your in
I can barely roll my moped ha
God Bless You
Wow Micky.. It seems such a LONG; LONG ride. How did you manage it ? You really are ´something´you know. The pictures were wonderful. Take care of that shoulder and all the other bits that hurt,
God bless, Dim x
Awesome stuff, my brotherman! The pix are wonderful too. And Sally looks like a super lady.
Thanks for this - and I am truly in awe of you.
Love and peace
Tony
Like others have said above -- I cannot imagine the length in one day. But for me, if I stopped for a good meal and 40 winks, I would porbably not be able to get going again the next day. Congrats! I'll be looking for your next ride!
God! I feel so shame. Half of your age, but you have way better stamina than me! 170 miles? Wow! I must already pass out if I have to do that! Great adventure, King Micky!
PS: Your hallucination make me giggle. May I ask permission to share that pictures at Facebook, Sir? I think my friends will like it. Hehehe
Thank you all. God bless each of you. I must run (ride) now, but thank you all. Freya, my dear one, please use my pics as you wish. God bless!
Brilliant Micky and I loved all those photos.
Thank you for sharing this one again, and in your own unique style.
Take care my dear friend.
Eiddwen.
Thank you Eiddwen. God bless.
You should take a trip around the finger lakes Micky and stop by for a visit.
God Bless
Yo Vietnam Vet. If I hear of a crew heading that way - I'm going to try to make a stop. God bless you brother man brother Vet.
Thanks Mick, for a wonderful bike ride and tour down memory lane. Thank you for sharing. Godspeed. creativeone59
Micky Dee, you look like your in pretty great shape!!! I am honred to know you and proud! AMEN! Great Hub..
Ride Mickey ride!
Let me know when you're nutz enough to tackle the Boston-Montreal-Boston trip again and I'll have beverages and oxygen ready by the roadside!
Thanks for taking us along on this one.
CP
Hi Micky,
Some folks we know just did the bike ride from Houston to Austin, Texas raising funds for charity. We gave our bicycles (not your type...just plain ones) years ago to people who had no form of transportation. There is no close form of public transportation where we live in the county, so hopefully this aided them in being able to get to and from work.
Now we walk for exercise. Can't even imagine the stamina that it must take to do the kind of bike riding you do! Amazing! Was yours done for charity?
God bless creativeone! Thank you Faye.
God bless you drpastorcarlotta. It's all a facade my dear.
Christopher- they may not have BMB again but maybe some day! God bless brother!
Thank you Peggy for giving those bikes. God bless those walks Peggy dear!
Micky, you are awesome. I am humbled by your sheer determination, and admire you greatly. I hope you are healing well and appreciate the amazing person you are. Thanks for sharing your experience.
God bless you toknowinfo. That ride was painful but it made me a little stronger after I recovered. I have headaches and neck and back pain that are chronic issues. Thank you for your kind words toknowinfo. If it were not for the bicycle - I wouldn't be alive. God bless you dear one.
What a great experience; awesome! You really have that stamina to endure the ride. I guess “no gain, no pain,” but I’m sure it was all worth it. Congratulations! I hope I also know how to ride a bike. I only have a kid’s bike. LOL! Btw, your photos are beautiful. Stay strong and enjoy your week!
You are so wonderful dear Tina. God bless you!
...I am so proud of what you do my friend - you look so cool - so great in these pictures - I love your free spirit - your sense of adventure - and your no BS attitude about things which matter in our lives ....you have been a big big part of my hub life here over the past year - and it's been a honor to have known you - there is only one Micky Sir Dee and I am most glad that I met you - and yes, you could say that I am still a beautiful 'mess' - more beautiful than mess, I hope - lol lol
God bless you- you beautiful mess! Thank you brother man. Thank you for being a great friend.
Wow Micky well done chap. We have LEJOG in the UK which is Lands End to John O'Groats and is usually a week long ride which is a worthwhile challenge to anyone. Cracking photos
Yo CyclingFitness! We missed you on Mount Mitchell this week! God bless! I'd like to do the LEJOG.
Well done Micky 170 miles, that is amazing and a fantastic achievement too.
Great photos Micky! Enjoy your bike. You were in Florida and I am just visiting there for a few months but a little further south from where you were.
Hi 2uesday! Thank you for dropping by. I'd better visit 2uesdayworld soon!
nicomp Level 6 Commenter 13 months ago
Great photos and stories. Thanks!