I flew back to Jacksonville last night eager to begin Phase Two of my Atlantic Coast bicycle ride. This phase is from Jacksonville Beach to Washington, DC.

My wife and I enjoyed a Chinese dinner a few days earlier and I took note of my fortune: “Adventure awaits those who are brave enough to seek it.” My mind substituted the word crazy for brave!

When I began this morning’s ride, the roads were wet from the previous night’s rain.  Winds were 10 mph sustained/20 mph gusts from the North Northeast. I hurried off to catch the ferry to cross the St. John’s River.  On the way there, I passed Station Mayport, where many years ago I served as Group Deputy. I didn’t take time to take a picture for fear of missing my intended ferry.

Here’s me on that ferry:

Here’s a flock of pelicans bidding me “so long”:

The ride was picturesque and the clouds dissipated as the day wore on.

I began adjusting to my new bicycle seat.  It’ll take some getting used to.  The manufacturer states that it takes three or four days to adjust since the position relative to my old seat slightly changes my riding posture.

I made a route change on the fly since my route map tried to take me through a bike path where the gate was locked and impassable. Switching between electronic cycling maps permits rapid adjustments. The e-maps are markedly better than the paper maps I used in 2017 to ride across America.

The wind freshened as the day progressed.  When I crossed over Nassau Sound, I had zero protection from the wind.  The sound was choppy enough.  But the distant ocean looked like it was boiling.  And I was in the direct path of those winds coming off the ocean.  Strengthened by Phase One riding, my legs simply pressed on.

I made it to my lodging early. Lincoln, the innkeeper, was kind enough to check me in early.

Tally for the day: 51 miles.