Gainesville to Palatka – A Glide to Hawthorne, But a Wrestle with the Wind on into Palatka

Our workaround to avoid the Hammock Hills & Curves worked just fine.  A few miles on Hwy 20 and we hopped on the trail to Hawthorne.  It was a sweet morning.  Birds and flowers along the way, including a mated pair of Florida Sandhill Cranes so close you almost touch them.  As we were getting ready to exit the Hawthorne Trailhead after a short break, we got involved in a lengthy conversation with a bicycling couple about our age. Interesting and fun, but it made our day on the road longer, because the headwinds kept getting stronger.  

We said goodbye, good luck, ride safe, etc., then we were off again.  A short ride down a city street and once again we were on State Route 20, a divided four-lane highway with four-foot bike lane, for another 26 miles, with 10 mph headwinds and frequent long gusts to 18 mph.   We had planned to test a different route, a packed dirt road, but Diane chickened out, concerned the road would be too sandy to ride.  But she was not afraid to take advantage of Rob’s faster pace by drafting his rear wheel as he pushed through the wind, with vehicles whizzing by us. 

We arrived in relatively good stead at our hotel, right on the banks of the St. John River, and were booked into a room with a river view.  Very nice.  Dinner was at Angel’s, the oldest diner in Florida.  We scarfed down burgers and fries, and a chocolate peanut butter milk shake.  Hit the hay early (determining to sleep in just a little since the next day’s ride to St. Augustine would be a short one. 

ZZZZ – Diane & Rob

When you are fighting headwinds, you don't stop for many pics.  You just grind your way through. 

For viewing, a few from along the Hawthorne section of the trail. Rob

A very healthy mated pair of Florida Sand Hill Cranes.

Beautiful alligator water but no alligators - drat.

A much needed trail-head amenity :)

Wildflowers are in bloom all through the middle of the state. These are along SR 20.

Diane happily ordering a naked burger, sweet potato fries and planning to partake of my peanut butter, chocolate shake. Note the menu board over her right shoulder - HB is for hamburger and CB is for Cheeseburger :)