Feb 7/8 - land and sea

Not much happened on Friday, other than the setup of the new wall unit.  Terry Shuya arrived in time for dinner, some chatting and then bed.

Terry and I were up at 2am (actually I was up at 1am, couldn't sleep) and on the road at 2:30.  Other than a restroom break, it was clear sailing to Boca Raton for the start of the 300k.  We arrived around 5:30 and had plenty of time to setup before we hit the road again, this time on our bikes.

John had a good crowd out for the rides, perhaps 60 riders, -- simultaneous 300k and 200k.  You could tell the 200k riders -- no lights and less gear.  Shortly after the 50 mile Control, they headed back towards the coast.   We continued north along the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail, the one on the levee. 

We'd started off with the big group, of course, but it fractured pretty quickly and we found ourselves in a small group of six to eight.  From the 50 mile Control to lunch at 102, which is mostly along the levee, we were mostly by ourselves which worked well, taking turns pulling in the cross winds.  After lunch, heading east towards the coast again, the wind was brutal.  We caught up to Jim Solanick, who'd been cramping and then riding by himself and the three of us finished together.

This is a very pretty ride.  Ok, although I don't really like the LOST trail, riding with a partner makes it bearable.  The ride back to the coast is always a bear but then it's pretty through Jupiter to Palm Beach, etc etc. all the way back to Boca.  Jim pointed out Tiger's house on Jupiter Island, which you can't see all that well from the road. 

We finished up just before 8:30 p.m., just short of 14 hours.  The earliest 300k'ers had finished 3 hours ahead of us !  It's only possible on a flat ride.  There were another 6-9 behind us, somewhere.

By the time we got packed up, grabbed some provisions at the CVS and headed out, it was after 9pm.  We stopped shortly afterwards at a Publix for a sandwich and then got onto the Turnpike.  We were back home a little after midnight.

Terry decided to shower and sleep here.  He left the house at the same time as me, 6:45 a.m., as I headed to Mass.

Sunday was boating day.  Sheryl and Jim arrived around 10am and we were at the marina at 11am.  It was a busy day for Al, as the first sunny and warm day attracted lots of boaters.  The ocean was fairly calm but we didn't linger.  We did get out at the island; Abby would have been heartbroken otherwise.  Later on she got a couple of French Fries, treats after our lunch at Inlet Harbor.

Back home, cleaned up, we headed for the beach to see the launch.  It was scrubbed at the last minute.  Oh well.  It was time for dinner, Off The Hook.  Their soup/salad combo is enticing; that sufficed for Jim, Sheryl and Sandy.  At $8 it's a steal !  I too had soup and salad, but the Cobb Salad didn't count, so my meal was more expensive.

Another day was done.

Sandy-doggie stayed home when we went boating but she came along for the launch and dinner because Jim and Sheryl were headed back to their rental right afterwards.

Two good days.

Today's agenda hasn't been written.

Onward !