The tour was supposed to be over, and this was supposed to be an easy day. It turned out to be the second hardest riding day, if not the hardest.
The worst part of this was not knowing whether it would be miles and miles of this hard trail, or just a little bit.
The Knight’s Inn was about $57 a night, including tax, and I simply signed up for 3 nights. Too tired to think about bargains. The room is nice.
Miles today: 36 estimated. Cyclometer flooded. Includes 3 miles of pushing bike over sand, and 7 miles of dirt road.
(Visited 156 times, 1 visit(s) today)
Looks like Google sent you through a gauntlet. Had you stayed on A1A, you’d be on paved two-lane past beach houses and golf courses all the way to Ponte Vedra and Jacksonville Beach. Guana River State Park and Wildlife Management Area is a labyrinth of trails and fire roads. On the plus side, you did see a turtle.
Beyond previewing the route on your laptop when you have wi-fi, adding online data to your Android phone would enable satellite views and traffic info that would make routes like this more obvious. Plus, you’d have internet when wi-fi isn’t available. Shameless plug: We use Google’s Project Fi for our phones. Worldwide phone plus internet at constant price, leverages multiple cell systems plus wi-fi, is month-to-month, and bills only for actual usage ($20/mo + $10/GB).
If I had more time and energy, I could research the paths more carefully. I wish Google could improve its bike mapping to the point that the default path shown was legal, and paved. Maybe a check box saying, “road bike route,” and make that the default. They seem to go through great pains to avoid highways that are perfectly fine, I assume with the goal of increased safety. But they really need to consider the quality of the roads, too. Today, in heading towards the airport, it told me to walk my bike the wrong way on a one way street for a little bit. If a person is driving, they make the assumption that Google will lead them over legal and paved roads.
ouch! maybe there are things to be learned, like you possess quite a bit of tenacity and perseverance. perhaps a day of rest is in order after this. i guess google uses 4wd land cruisers and hikers to plot their maps.
Looks like Google sent you through a gauntlet. Had you stayed on A1A, you’d be on paved two-lane past beach houses and golf courses all the way to Ponte Vedra and Jacksonville Beach. Guana River State Park and Wildlife Management Area is a labyrinth of trails and fire roads. On the plus side, you did see a turtle.
Beyond previewing the route on your laptop when you have wi-fi, adding online data to your Android phone would enable satellite views and traffic info that would make routes like this more obvious. Plus, you’d have internet when wi-fi isn’t available. Shameless plug: We use Google’s Project Fi for our phones. Worldwide phone plus internet at constant price, leverages multiple cell systems plus wi-fi, is month-to-month, and bills only for actual usage ($20/mo + $10/GB).
If I had more time and energy, I could research the paths more carefully. I wish Google could improve its bike mapping to the point that the default path shown was legal, and paved. Maybe a check box saying, “road bike route,” and make that the default. They seem to go through great pains to avoid highways that are perfectly fine, I assume with the goal of increased safety. But they really need to consider the quality of the roads, too. Today, in heading towards the airport, it told me to walk my bike the wrong way on a one way street for a little bit. If a person is driving, they make the assumption that Google will lead them over legal and paved roads.
ouch! maybe there are things to be learned, like you possess quite a bit of tenacity and perseverance. perhaps a day of rest is in order after this. i guess google uses 4wd land cruisers and hikers to plot their maps.
Holy crow, Rod, what an ordeal!
Glad you finally made it out safely and to your motel.
There may be something deeply significant about the First and Last day of this tour being the most difficult. Food for thought.