Day 44: St. Augustine to Daytona Beach

Yesterday after writing my blog post, I went back to bed and slept for another hour or so since I was still tired. I got up at 7:30 AM.

I ate a bowl of yogurt and fruits, along with a small pumpkin bread. When I was ready to leave, Ellen came down the stairs. We bid farewell and I started my ride toward Daytona Beach.

Very nice road

The road was easy to ride on since it had wide shoulders. I followed the East Coast Greenway down the coast. After about 15 miles or so, I heard a snapping sound again. This is now too familiar to me. I stopped my bike to check, and of course it was another broken spoke on the back wheel. My fifth one on this trip.

At the Dulce De Leche Cafe in Flagler Beach, I texted Brett to see what I should do while eating a Cuban sandwich for lunch. I think I should get a bike mechanic to rebuild the wheel. Brett agreed.

Cuban sandwich

I continued riding after lunch. It was getting hot and humid. At Ormond Beach, I got an ice cream cone at Hershey’s Ice Cream. I was exhausted and didn’t feel like riding anymore, but I had to push a few more miles to get to my Warmshowers host’s place. Finally, at 2:30 PM, I arrived in Daytona Beach at Ana’s place after riding a total of 54.8 miles.

Riding next to the ocean

Ana’s husband was the one who answered my Warmshowers request, but he’s traveling in Montana. When Ana was picking up her children from school, I stayed at home and called three local bicycle shops to see if any of them can rebuild my back wheel. One of them may be able to.

I took a shower and cooked ramen for dinner since I didn’t want to go out anymore.

When Ana and the kids came back, we chatted for a little bit. Ana and his husband met while traveling and they have lived in the United States for four years.

Ana

I went to bed before 7 PM and got up at 6 AM. The Hub Cycling bike shop opens at 10 AM. I plan on going there to get my wheel rebuild. Since it’s only about 25 miles to my next destination at Lake Helen, I think I should be able to make it there today.

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