Cross Florida 2011

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

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.