🚴💨 Day #42: Antebellum Dreams & Meeting a Brother of the Road

Day #42 is in the books, and it was one of those days that perfectly blends stunning Southern scenery with the unexpected magic of the open road. We rolled out of Madison and pointed our wheels toward Alachua, covering 84 miles and climbing 1,450 feet—a respectable day's work!

🏞️ River Views and Southern Charm

The early miles were a feast for the eyes, delivering a series of gorgeous views of the mighty Suwannee River. It was a reminder that Florida’s interior holds deep, natural beauty, offering a peaceful counterpoint to the miles we were eating up.

But the most breathtaking moment of the morning came when we stumbled upon a truly magnificent piece of history. Tucked away amongst the trees was an antebellum estate so grand and picturesque, it looked like it was lifted straight off a movie set—a real-life, Southern-gothic backdrop that made us feel like we had cycled
into a scene from Gone with the Wind.

🤝 The Brotherhood of the Road

The best encounter of the day, though, was meeting Dale! Coast to Coasters are rare, but when you cross paths with another soul chasing the same dream, it instantly feels like finding family. We had a great chat, trading stories, tips, and the shared exhaustion/exhilaration that only this journey can bring. 

🌅 One Day Closer to the Tide

Tonight, we rest up in Alachua, feeling the thrill of the Atlantic drawing closer with every turn of the crank.

Tomorrow: Day #43! We're on a 65-mile run to Palatka. The mileage is dropping, the coastline is imminent, and the energy is building for the final push! Every day now is a countdown to that glorious moment on Day #44 when that front tire finally touches the water.

Stay tuned! The East Coast is calling!

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Day #41 - The Canopy, The Capital, and The Classic South!

What a day for the Project 2950 crew! Our 79-mile ride from Midway to Madison, FL, delivered a perfect blend of urban excitement, natural beauty, and Deep South history, all topped off with a challenging 2,350 feet of hard-earned climbing.

Capital City Detour

Our morning began with a thrilling deviation into Tallahassee, Florida’s capital. The highlight? A
quick side trip to the Florida State University (FSU) campus for a photo op at the legendary Doak Campbell Stadium! There’s nothing like the energy of a major college stadium to pump up the legs for a long day.

Exiting Tallahassee, we were immediately treated to one of Florida’s most scenic routes: an approximately 11-mile stretch of tree canopy road. The dense moss-draped oak trees formed a tunnel over the asphalt, providing welcome shade and a magical, memorable descent into the more rural landscape.

History & Harmony on the Road

The rest of the day was a beautiful journey through history. Our route took us through charming towns famous for their well-preserved past:

• Monticello and Madison: We were treated to spectacular views of Antebellum homes and classic architecture, a reminder of the area's rich, historic character.

• Greenville, FL: The team gathered for a much-deserved lunch at a quiet park in
  Greenville, but this was no ordinary park. Greenville is the birthplace of the legendary musician, Ray Charles! It was a powerful, small-town moment to rest our bikes and reflect on the history beneath our tires.

Onward to the Coast!

Madison served as a perfect stop as we mentally prepare for the final 3 days. Tomorrow, for Day #42, we shift course to the southeast toward Alachua, FL. After that, we turn due east, setting our final sights on the Atlantic coast and our destination in St. Augustine! The countdown to the finish line is on!

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🚴‍♀️ Day 40: Sunshine, Southern Charm, and a Quick Jaunt to Georgia! (Chipley to Midway, FL)

What a day! Day #40 of Project 2950 brought us 83 miles closer to our goal, taking us from Chipley all the way to Midway, Florida. With $2,650$ feet of climbing tackled, the legs definitely felt the work, but the payoff in views and perfect weather was worth every pedal stroke.

☀️ Perfect Conditions for US 90 Cruising

We couldn't have asked for better weather. It was the kind of crisp, sunny day that makes cycling a pure joy. Our main route followed the historic US 90, which provided a fantastic, smooth ride. We punctuated the day with occasional, worthwhile detours, diving into the heart of small-town Florida:

• Marianna: Known as the "City of Southern Charm," and it certainly lived up to the name.

• Chattahoochee: A scenic stop right near the river.

• Quincy & Gretna: More stunning examples of quintessential Main Street USA.

🏛️ Antebellum Beauty and Main Street USA

Today was a feast for the eyes, offering a wonderful journey through Southern history and architecture. We were absolutely captivated by the stunning antebellum mansions we passed. These grand, historic homes standing proud against the bright Florida sky offered a beautiful reminder of the region's rich past.

Riding through the downtown areas of these towns felt like stepping onto a movie set—true Main Street USA charm, complete with welcoming storefronts and peaceful town squares.

🗺️ The Unexpected Georgia Side Quest

The undisputed highlight of the day was an entirely unexpected (and brief!) adventure: a quick detour that took us north and across the Georgia state line!

Sometimes the best moments on these long tours are the spontaneous ones. To briefly cross into another state, even if only for a photo and a quick sip of water, added a fun, memorable wrinkle to Day 40. Now we can officially say Project 2950 has touched down in two states on this leg!

🌅 Onward to the Coast!

Tonight, we rest up in Midway, feeling energized by today's beautiful ride. But the excitement is already building for tomorrow's journey:

Tomorrow's Plan: We will be rolling right through the capital city of Tallahassee and ending the day in Madison, FL.

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Day #39 Turning North! From Coast to Planes and Into the Panhandle

What a difference a day makes! Today felt like a Florida vacation after yesterday's frosty start. We woke up to gloriously warmer weather—a perfect day for an 86-mile push inland, leaving the beautiful Gulf Coast behind us. The transition from seaside highways to the quiet, rolling landscapes of the Florida Panhandle was a welcomed change of pace.

The day's highlight came early, as our route took us past the Air Force Armament Museum near Eglin Air Force Base. Although the indoor exhibits were closed (a slight bummer due to the government shutdown), the outdoor displays were incredible! We took a brief pause to marvel at the impressive collection of planes, spanning from WWII legends right up to present-day jets. Seeing the sheer scale and history of these military aircraft in person added a unique, powerful dimension to our morning.

Mid-morning brought us through a sweet, small place called Niceville, FL. The name itself brought a good chuckle to the group—it was indeed a nice ride through the little town! It's moments like these, finding humor and recognizing the simplicity of these small communities, that truly define this C2C experience.

As the day progressed and the terrain gradually climbed, we eventually returned to our key thoroughfare: US-90. This historic road will be our main companion as we head east towards our ultimate Florida destination, St. Augustine. 

We successfully reached Chipley, FL, having conquered 86 miles and the 2,000 feet of climbing with the help of the sunshine and warmer temperatures. It was a perfect day of cycling—a smooth, successful ride that prepares us for what’s next.

Looking Ahead: An Extra State!

Tomorrow, we continue on US-90, but we have a little surprise detour planned! As we inch closer to completing the ride across the continent, we’re taking a brief side trip just to touch the border of Georgia! This will allow us to add Georgia to our list of states visited on this journey, making the list feel even more complete before we turn south for St. Augustine. 

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Day #38 A Florida Welcome! Riding the Coast through Gulf Islands National Seashore

Gulf Shores, AL to Fort Walton Beach, FL Distance: 74.5 miles

Victory! We did it. Today, the C2C crew rolled into our eighth and final state: Florida! After weeks on the road, seeing the Sunshine State sign felt like a final, invigorating push toward the finish line.

The day started out with a distinct challenge—the chilly kind! We clipped in at Gulf Shores with the thermometer hovering right around 40°F. Definitely a morning for the winter cycling gear, but the promise of sunshine and a beautiful coastal route kept our legs turning. By midday, the temperature had climbed to a much more manageable mid-50s°F, and the ride warmed up considerably.

The absolute highlight of the day was the stretch through the Gulf Islands National Seashore Park. It was simply breathtaking. The beautiful, pristine sandy beaches, towering dunes, and the mesmerizingly blue water of the Gulf of Mexico provided a stunning backdrop that made the chilly start worthwhile. This wasn't just a bike ride; it was a scenic tour of one of America's most beautiful coastlines.

The route through the Seashore also meant we tackled several long bridges, which, despite the effort, gave us spectacular, sweeping views of the Gulf. These crossings truly underscored the journey, carrying us from island to island.

The generosity we encounter on this journey continues to astound us. Today, we were graciously hosted indoors for our lunch stop by the wonderful people at the Pensacola Beach Community Church. A huge thank you to Pastor Jim, who was incredibly kind and even gave us a thoughtful prayer sendoff for safety as we head into the final leg of the trip.

Now that we've made it to Fort Walton Beach, the chapter on the immediate coast closes. Tomorrow, for Day 39, we turn our handlebars North toward Chipley, FL. It's a longer 86-mile route with a bit more climbing, but the forecast promises warmer temperatures—a welcome change as we head inland!

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What an absolutely outstanding day! Today's ride covered about 70 miles with relatively little elevation change, but it was significant in several ways.

First and foremost, we officially left Mississippi and cycled into the great state of Alabama! Crossing that state line is always a huge boost and a fantastic milestone for Project 2950.

The second major highlight was the final stretch of the day: taking the ferry across Mobile Bay to reach the Gulf Shores area. There's nothing quite like trading the pedals for the rocking of a boat, and it provided a perfect transition to our destination. We celebrated the crossing with a fabulous post-ferry lunch—well-earned, to say the least!

The Kindness of Strangers

Beyond the miles and the scenery, today offered yet another reminder of the continued goodness of the people we meet

David and Julie - Strangers No More!

. We ran into a major snag: Anthony blew out his rear tire and was still 3.5 miles short of the ferry on a tight timeline, with the ferry departure looming.

Enter the literal saviors of the day: a wonderful couple who stepped up immediately. They
were able to transport the biker to the ferry just in time. While they were doing that, Adam from our bike team performed a heroic feat, manually towing the broken-down bike the rest of the way. What started as a huge problem was completely solved thanks to this couple's generosity. They truly saved the day, and we are incredibly grateful.

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Rest Day and Florida Prep

We've arrived safely and are looking forward to a much-needed rest day here in Gulf Shores tomorrow!

The forecast is showing a significant change, with the weather turning unseasonably cool. We'll use our rest day to prepare and organize our gear, making sure we are ready to launch out toward Florida on Tuesday morning. We'll be bundling up against what they're calling "frigid" temperatures, including "falling iguana warnings" but we won't let a little cold stop us!

Onward to the Sunshine State!

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Adam saves the day!!