Before I get into how my day was I’d just like to say thanks to everyone who has been keeping in touch with me throughout the trip. I couldn’t have possibly done this trip without the help and support from my friends and family so thanks.

In the weeks leading up to my first day I could not sleep and was absolutely terrified of what could happen to me on this tour. I even told my friend Amy a few days before Day One I wasn’t going to go and then went to talk to my boss and tell him the trip was off. He talked me off the ledge and thankfully he did because this trip has been great in every way. It turned out I wasn’t going to be raped, axe murdered, hit by a truck, kidnapped, eaten by a bear, or any of the other things I was told would happen to me. I didn’t need a gun, knife, or mace (well, at least not for people) nor did I need a spare bike. I went a bunch of places I’d never been before and would never have gone to and met a ton of great people along the way. Thumbs up to bike touring!

I had a hard time sleeping last night in my shitty motel. I’m not sure if it was because of the 8,000 calories I consumed last night, the uncomfortable bed, or excitement of completing the trip. Whatever it was, it got me out of bed at 6:15am. I headed south in what would turn out to be by far the warmest day of the trip and stopped for breakfast. I went for the same ham and cheese omelette with oatmeal on the side that I had the day prior.

The first half of the 50 mile day was on US1 into the wind which was boring for the most part. The excitement came in the form of a leather skinned lady who nearly killed me as she turned into some strip mall. She saw me about to go into the crosswalk, honked at me because she saw me, and then sped up to beat me through as I slammed on my brakes. I came too far to be killed by this lady damn it! I flipped her the bird and called her some things and moved on. This is what the first 20 miles looked like.

The other excitement of this part resulted in my first fall of the trip. Here is a reenactment.

Scene: I’m whistling loudly to Willie Nelson – “Hands on the Wheel” while riding at 8mph into a stiff wind on a sidewalk in shitty ass Stuart
My brain: Well this isn’t exactly taking laps on the Champs Élysées but what the hell I’m only 30 miles from home! Hrmmm, wouldn’t it be cool if there were Tour de France chicks waiting for me when I got home? I’m going to google Tour de France chicks when I get home.
Fire Ant Pile: Hey uhh Jim? That bike looks like it’s coming right for us… Oh god no… No not at my new bedroom!
My brain: Oh crap I’m about to fall off the sidewalk… No problem! I’ll just — oh shit a fire ant pile!!!! Turnnnnnnn!!!!
I go crashing through the fire ant pile destroying the entire ant village
My brain: I’m going down! Please don’t be into that pissed off fire ant pile anything but that… Oh good it’s not the ants… Phew… Oh shit it’s going to be concrete instead!
The fire ant village looks on in shock as all they have built had been destroyed by some imbecile

Anyway, I didn’t get hurt and I ended up just keeping on going. Nobody stopped to see if I was okay or anything (and there were a lot of people around). I hate you Stuart. I plan on not going back there ever.

Side note: everyone in south Florida is on their cell phone while driving. I spent way more time on sidewalks than bike lanes down here because I rightfully don’t trust these drivers at all.

The beach showed up around mile 30 and I rode by it for about 12 miles. Once again an absolutely beautiful day down here.

I eventually made it to Palm Beach County after crossing the Intracoastal for the 3rd time today.

I rode down all familiar streets for the last 10 miles or so and eventually made it to my neighborhood and took another bike glamour shot.

My mom saw me shortly after this in her car rushing home to beat me there which made me laugh. I eventually got home and had a swig of Jameson from the flask I’d brought with me. (Once again not quite sipping champagne in the Tour de France but I’ll take it!)

I then dove into some victory cake my mom got me.

And so here I am! Sitting on my back porch sipping coffee and watching golfers shank balls into the lake behind my house. Home sweet home. My sister gets in later tonight and then we are all going to go out to dinner.

All in all an amazing journey. I hope that you’ve enjoyed following my trip as much as I’ve enjoyed writing about it. Anyone want to go for a ride?