February 4, 2016
Sarasota to Punta Gorda
So I spent the day on old turf, retracing southbound my northbound ride from January 2 and partly from January 1. We were staying at different hotels, so it wasn't an exact retrace, but the bulk of the ride was the same.
So the morning started out bright and sunny.
After a quickish breakfast, we pushed off and headed south, making our way through the southern suburbs of Sarasota to the trailhead for The Legacy Trail, my fourth time on it this trip!
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The wind was as strong today as it was yesterday, particularly when we faced south. Our direction today was primarily south and east, so we had some relief at points. But it really hit us hard when we came onto the Venetian Waterway Park, and we took it head-on right off the water. It was tough keeping up an 8 or 9 mph speed! From there, we hopped on our old nemesis (after the wind), US 41, where we would pretty much remain for the rest of the day.
Happy laid out the route and had accepted the path RWGPS/Google Maps recommended. On my northbound trip, however, I chose to wander off US 41 where I could. So the primary change (for me) was through North Port and Port Charlotte, where I had not ridden that part of US 41. What I found was not very friendly. No shoulders and no sidewalks in many places. This was compounded by roadway construction, so where there were shoulders or sidewalks, they were torn up or used to place construction barrels or concrete barriers. Traffic was not liking me, and I was not liking the traffic (Happy was lagging behind me by several miles).
So after weaving between construction barrels for a while, it occurred to me I could ride on the closed highway section. Then I would have a twelve-foot protected bike trail! So I did!
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I'm not sure why they were not working today, but I was not complaining. Maybe it was the threat of rain . . . it was now overcast . . . or maybe the workday was over . . . it was after 3:30. Regardless, I proceeded unchallenged and enjoyed it.
Eventually I made my way to the crossing over the Peace River to Punta Gorda. Here, the wind was fierce. But I was almost there!
As much as I would have preferred, we were not staying in Punta Gorda central tonight but about five miles out in the suburbs. At least we had entertaining signs!
Today's ride: 54 miles (87 km)
Total: 1,355 miles (2,181 km)
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