DeLiVeRaNcE

Often as another busy week passes, the craving consumes me for pedal therapy.

I not only compete in Long distance events, I love riding long distances. AND, its not so much about the mileage, not about bragging. Its just fun to travel and experience the adventure that can come.

I departed from De Leon after a hardy breakfast in the middle of the day. Arguably a little late, but more often then not you will catch me saying, "its my day off, I want to ignore the clock".

Plus, in my deep seeded preparations for the divide I often just want to do out of the ordinary riding. I want to not follow the traditional training schedule rules. THE rule in my mind for preparing to conquer the divide, is to ride whenever, wherever.

I could not have asked for better weather. I knew that although the day was warm, once the sun would set, I would have to deal with some chilly weather.

I had spent the day before, pondering if I was going to use my single speed or beef up the 'not yet to be named cross check' for Cyclocross duties. In the great tradition of procrastination I decided at the last minute to grab the cross bike and use that.

I packed enough stuff to brave the expected evening temps, I left under warm sun and clear skies. The plan was to gain revenge for the 3 forest tour that Kai, Edward and I had attempted, which later turned out to be more than they could handle.

I started off by crossing The Lake George Forest. The forest roads where in great shape and I decided to check out the park at the end of St Johns River Road. It was such a beautiful spot, I momentarily daydreamed of bringing the boys out here on a quick over night trip.

After spending a good 30 minutes or more at the park just listening to the sounds of the river and feeling the sun on my skin, I made my way up the road and started seeing what I noticed to be Tire tracks. I remember at the time finding this to be an extremely odd thing, I was pretty far out there. And sure enough as I came around a bend, I spotted a lady, biking on a beach cruiser, walking her dog at the same time.

I tried to make noise to alert her, but she was non responsive and almost crashed once I made my pass. I hate to admit that it was a little funny to startle her, but I seriously made some heart felt attempts to communicate my passing intent.

I made it to SR 40 and ventured down to the boat docks that sit next to the bridge over the St. Johns River. I went down there to take photos, I was in a shutter bug mood and I wanted to share the sights I was going to see that day. All too often I get caught up in making bike pedal that I refuse to stop and take pictures.

As I was taking photos there were some men and a woman drinking beers about 150 feet away. One man wearing a trucker hat, sporting a beard, red faced and drunk was calling to me.

It was right at this moment that I had one of the most awkward experiences I have ever had in my life.

He proceeded to tell me he liked my britches and how he wanted to get him some of that.

I thank the great creator he was a good distance away, cause as uncomfortable of a moment as that was, if he would have been close to me and saying such things it might have turned into an altercation.

My Intuition told me to leave fast and say little and I did just that.

On the road I had visions of being chased down by this "country boy" and being ran off the road. So I kept my pace high. Off the road the bike was hard to pedal, its currently geared for paved riding only, but on the road, even with the wider Cyclocross tires, I can still put down some serious tempo.

So for the next 20 miles, that's what I did... Serious Tempo to separate myself from them "good Ole Country boys".

I made it to the Paisley Mountain bike trail.

I pedaled up and down the skinny trail, and decided to fulfill my prearranged agreement to stop for lunch at the 35 mile mark.

I found a log on the trail in the middle of now where and had a chance to take another "ME" moment.

Just then I heard the shifting of some gears and twisted my head to see Mountain Bikers using the trail. Goodness, even though this is a mountain bike trail, you don't see many people riding out here. I chuckled a bit as they passed. One guy stared at my bike, half surprised to see someone else out there riding as well, and half surprised to see a guy on a road bike in the middle of the trail.

I finished my Lunch (an apple) and decided I wanted more food. I figured I could easily make the Paisley Mart and get the supplies I needed to complete the estimated 50 or so miles I had left.

I was on a time table as I had plans.

So when I got the quick mart, I grabbed supplies quickly:

1 bag of honey BBQ lays
1 bag of coconut m and m's
1 Reese's peanut butter cup
1 Starbucks Coffee plus Energy drink.

I stuffed my pockets and hauled ass.

I opened my shirt to create a kangaroo pouch effect and stuffed my chips in there and I literally had my lunch as I pedaled. Once again I saw this as an excellent training opportunity to practice eating and riding.

Once I finished all my food, I saw a garbage can on the side of Maggie Jones Road and I disposed of my waste.

Around the bend I came and saw a person walking in the middle of the road. The closer I got, I noticed it was a hiker, complete with a back pack. When I was within talking distance he asked me to stop.

He started chatting with me, asking me if there were supplies and a hotel in paisley. I explained what they had and asked him how much longer was he walking... He said "about 3 more weeks", I started in "key west".

Ok!

I then asked him if he had water and he said he had not had any for about the last 10 miles.

I had just refilled at paisley and on a bike I move alot faster than he does, so he asked for a gulp and I told him I would fill his bottles.

While I was filling his bottles, he asked me questions about my set up, how long was I going, he took my picture, and then before we parted I asked him his name.

He said, "my trail name is Wandering Heart, but my real name is Bernard."

I responded, "my real name is Karlos, my trail name is the Naked Indian."

Off I went to finish my ride, and off he went to finish his wandering.

I cleared Seminole forest, with no troubles, changed my socks, and applied layers and lights and finished my ride. No more strange Occurrences, a total of 75 miles.

That night while having dinner with my friend, I recounted the tails and reminded myself why I Love traveling by bike, its a never ending opportunity to learn more about this wonderful planet the great creator has blessed us to exist upon.

Take Care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN