Today we pedaled from Alachua, FL to Palatka, FL—just a breezy 63 miles, the kind of distance that now feels like a warm‑up lap. John rolled out on his newly repaired trusty steed, looking like a man ready to star in a commercial for “Second Chances in Bicycle Form.” Spirits were high. Roads were lovely. We yelled into the morning air that we were, in fact, “Riding our own bikes across the country!!” because sometimes the truth deserves volume.
Adventure, as usual, heard us and said, “Oh? Bet.”
Coffee Adventure #1: The Dunkin Mirage
As we passed a couple of coffee options, John asked if I wanted to stop. I said no, not yet—because timing is everything. Moments later we learned the trailer’s wheel bearing had failed and we were to regroup at the first stop. Perfect. Coffee time.
Except we were now well past the good options and settled on a Dunkin’ a couple blocks off route. We rolled up, saw people inside joyfully consuming donuts and coffee, parked the bikes, grabbed the door… locked. Locked tight. Locked like we were trying to enter a bank vault with a spork.
A kind worker came out and explained that their water main had burst. The people inside were “pre‑burst customers,” grandfathered into donut bliss. We were not. TRAILER ADVENTURE!! DONUT ADVENTURE!!
Lunch Adventure: Subway, Unexpected Hero
We reached the first water stop just in time to watch everyone roll out. No water stop, but it was still cool and our bottles were full, so no harm done.
The trailer, however, was now parked at a repair shop that wouldn’t open until tomorrow. That meant no picnic lunch. Instead: Subway. LUNCH ADVENTURE!!
Coffee Adventure #2: The Cold Brew Hack
Without the trailer, we didn’t have access to our day bags—home of the sacred cold brew thermoses. But the Subway was attached to a convenience store, and John, in a moment of pure caffeine‑driven brilliance, said, “What if we buy cold water bottles and put the Swift instant coffee in those?”
Genius. COFFEE ADVENTURE!!
We mixed the Swift into the clear bottles, which produced a color best described as “Iced Tea That Has Seen Things.” After vigorous shaking and a little faith, it turned into something resembling cold brew. We took a sip. It was good. It was ours. It was magic.
Trail Adventure: The Lukewarm Brew of Destiny
Five miles later we hit a gorgeous 22‑mile trail. The plan: find a bench, sit, and savor our cold brew.
We found the bench. We sat. We sipped.
It was no longer cold. It was… brew. But we needed the caffeine, and lukewarm brew is still brew.
As we sat there, the team and our main guide rolled by. The guide gave us a look that said, “Of course they’re doing this.” We tried to identify cloud shapes—one looked like an overweight guinea pig, but that may have been the warm‑brew haze talking.
We finished our drinks, hopped back on the bikes, and cruised the rest of the trail to the hotel, catching up with teammates just as we exited the trail.
Coffee Adventure #3: The Proper Americano
While waiting for rooms, I found a coffee shop—Magnolia—just 0.4 miles away. It closed at 3. It was 2:15. This was a mission.
We got our rooms, tossed bags inside, and sprinted to Magnolia. A proper cold americano never tasted so triumphant. PROPER COLD AMERICANO ADVENTURE!!
Love Adventure: The Best Surprise
Back at the hotel, the team was hanging out by the pool. We joined them, and then I learned that my best friend—my wife—would be arriving in 15 minutes.
That moment? LOVE OF MY LIFE ADVENTURE!!
Almost There
This journey across the country has been a tapestry of joy, mishaps, laughter, friendship, and more types of “adventure” than we ever planned for. Tomorrow we finish. That’s both wonderful and a little heartbreaking.
We’re grateful. We’re ready. Let’s finish this.