New Smyrna Beach (NSB) to Mims – Right Route – Wrong Day

The day started off great.  Shortly after leaving the B&B we were on a connector trail that led us to the northern leg of the East Central Regional Trail.  It was beautiful, shaded, and smooth.  As planned, we left the trail to ride east through the Turnbull Preserve, another quiet and shaded road, to US 1, where we made a planned stop at the Dollar Store for drinks and goodies to get us through the afternoon.  

What was not planned for were the strong headwinds from the south, which we would be riding into for the next 17 miles, the first two of which were on US 1, a rough rock-chip surface.  We were glad to get off onto the Kennedy Parkway – NASA - Cape Canaveral which was a pretty smooth surface and very little traffic.  But there was very little shade and/or clouds on this hot and humid day and 20 mph headwinds over the next 15 miles.  Even then, we were able to maintain over nine mph, while biking, but when we found shade we would pull over, drink ice water out of our trunk packs, take a quick breather and shove on.  

Finally we turned away from the wind in the last 7.5 miles to Titusville, which gave some relief.  At one point we heard a loud strange noise, and Diane exclaimed, “What was that???” and Rob calmly answered “an alligator.”  She didn’t believe him of course because he is such a liar.  

Coming into Titusville, we crossed the Indian River on a very high bridge (which the locals use to view the rocket launches at Cape Canaveral), and Rob skillfully led us to the Main Street Philly for refreshments to cool our bodies down.  Then we got onto to the southern leg of the East Central Regional trail, leading us to our lodging for the night, The Wayward Traveler’s Inn.  

Later, Rob pulled up something on his phone and had me listen to it.  It was the same noise we had heard on the ride in.  I should have believed him because it was the sound of a bellowing alligator!

Diane smiling as we sail down the northern section of the East Central Trail early in the morning. 

Wildflowers along the Trail.

Part of the Kennedy Pkwy... low traffic but windy and hot. 

And you take the shade where you can find it.

A visual illustration of the wind we had just pushed through. Mid afternoon and Diane is now not smiling.

But Diane perseveres and push up and over the bridge into Titusville. 

Then we ride with the wind through Titusville up to Mims and our B&B for the night. 

Our B&B host was kind enough to let us eat dinner from her pantry.  She left us to our own devices but
that proved somewhat vexing when we ran into a "new fangled" can opener.  Without our host to guide
us Rob turned to his 45 year old army issued "C ration" can opener and beans were served.