So the start of a new adventure. I’m all packed, and the bicycle is boxed and taped up. I didn’t weigh it this time, but it’s pretty similar to my last trips, so I’m assuming the panniers are close to 25 lbs. I’m actually taking a netbook with me since I’m traveling solo and figure I’ll have time to edit the blog on it easier than on my phone. So that adds about 2.5 lbs to my kit! We’ll see if it’s worth the hassle.
I woke up at 5:30 after a bad night’s sleep. I did a pre-check-in with JetBlue and noticed that they were restricting oversized baggage on this flight. Well, that was news to me. "80″ maximum," it said. Not sure what that means, but typically you add L + H + W, which in my case adds to about 92″ . . . so I, of course, worried about this throughout the night. Unnecessarily, as it turned out, but that was after the fact, not before!
Getting to the airport early would give me more “negotiating” time if that was required. Plus, there are improvements under construction that were reportedly causing major traffic backups. So I left early! Laurent picked me up at 6:30 (for an 8:40 flight), and in 30 minutes or so, we were at curbside.
And check-in was a breeze. And no hassle about the bike. In fact, I only paid a $25 surcharge for it. I think she got that wrong, but who am I to complain? $25 is the standard charge for a checked bag, after all! I know "sports equipment" goes for more.
Entrusting my steely steed one more time to the airline industry . . .
After baggage drop-off, it was into the security line, which was long. But then I noticed I was TSA PreCheck . . . sweet. And it promised to be close to 70°F when I land. Followed by an easy 28 miles to the beach and my hotel. And I get a ferry ride in along the way. Let the tour begin!
I slept in the waiting area and most of the way during the flight. That made for a "short" 2-1/2 hours. Jacksonville is a nice airport, and I made my way quickly to the baggage claim area. I was there early enough to check out where I might assemble the bike. There were some good spots inside, but after stepping outside, I decided that was the best option. Nothing better than beautiful weather!
The box arrived mostly intact. Those tears are just the ripped handholds . . . or maybe TSA poking around.
Because somehow, without removing the tape, they had left their usual calling card. I keep hoping that one day it will have a handwritten note scrawled across it saying, "Take me with you."
This had me very concerned. I shared the pic with Mark (back in Central Control), and he did some research while I looked for local welders. I found plenty, but no one answered the two calls I made. But I did leave voicemails. Always hopeful! I also, by this time, had decided this was a rather "old" break and, after assembling the bike, decided the load path from the wheel to the main frame would be alright. I will still get it welded when I can, but this will not stop me from today's ride. So I loaded up the route on my trusty Garmin and headed out of Dodge . . . errr, Jacksonville International Airport.
My fully assembled . . . and loaded Cannondale. This may be her last tour.
As with most airports, getting out of the arrivals/departures area and navigating the road network servicing those two functions was not easy . . . but not complicated either. Typically, there is enough traffic that cars and buses move at a reasonable pace. Congestion is our friend! I navigated the sidewalk and passed through a parking lot before entering the main exit road, which I was not on for long before turning off onto secondary roads (the main Airport Road leads to the interstate, so you want to avoid that!).
My destination is the beach, not downtown Jacksonville, so I headed east and southeast, passing mostly through an industrial area with some interspersed residential areas, but then mostly due east along FL-105 through the Port of Jacksonville and onto the "Mayport" Ferry . . . technically the St Johns River Ferry. Blount Island is headquarters central for the port, and once past that, truck traffic seemed to lighten up a bit. But then again, this was also a Saturday.
Cycling in Florida is not bad, as most of the major roads, when you need to ride them, have bike facilities such as this.
Near Jacksonville Port. This is the Cruise Terminal . . . and is even signed as such. At first, I thought this cruise ship was just parked there temporarily, but nope. That is where you board!
But not perfect either. This is a major bridge with a nice protected walkway, but it was blocked coming from my direction. Fortunately, the shoulder here was very wide.
At last, the first whiff of the ferry service. The further east I went, and really, along most of the St Johns River, the wind was "strong(ish)" but not as bad as some I've ridden in. On the ferry during the crossing, it was quite a breeze, and you could see it in the way the captain handled the boat!
After the ferry crossing, I was headed in a more southern direction, but still a bit southeast, so still had headwind. But now I was only seven miles from my hotel. I was ready for a nap! And then dinner . . . at the highly recommended North Beach Fish Camp. And yes, it was good!
One Ocean . . . which is where Mark and I stayed for Florida Rewired.
