Written by Ben Buckton - Incidentsoftravel.com

Day 50 – Dash To The Finish Line: Fort Pierce to Delray Beach Pavillion!

I’ve finished! And a whole day earlier than planned! This morning at about 10.30am I slammed on the brakes at the Beach Pavillion for the last time, and got off my bike. Ol was there to welcome me – on his bike too – so after a quick head-shower by the beach to cool off (I was boiled!) we crossed the road to a great restaurant we’ve been to together before in Delray, the Cafe Luna Rosa, for a slap-up breakfast. And it was Ol’s treat! More on our post-match celebrations later in the post:

Today’s journey requires two map photos!

https://www.relive.cc/view/vXOd895jLkO
When I watched this Relive video I found that I’d forgotten half of the places I just cycled through!
Today’s ‘special’ Eggs Benedict – Ol had the same but I finished mine whilst he was pouring his coffee.
  • Today’s Distance (miles): 87
  • Time in saddle: 6h 52
  • Max/min temp (°c): 35°/20°
  • Climbing (feet) :
  • Calories used: 4,738
  • Today’s 2nd Breakfast: Prime-rib steak Eggs Benedict with pimento and potato pancakes, two jugs of coffee and lots of iced water, Cafe Luna Rosa, Delray Beach
  • ‘Cafe’ time: 0h 00

WHY-OH-WHY HAVE I ENDED A WHOLE DAY EARLY?: Here are the reasons that I decided to do this ride today:

1. I wanted to say a special Thank You to everyone who has supported, contributed, sponsored and generally added to the pleasure of this adventure, and helped to make it such a memorable summer. A Big Last Day felt like a good way to do that.

2. It’s a Saturday. I don’t know, it just feels good to finish on a Saturday.

3. It’s Day 50. Same thing, just feels good!

4. It’s my son Sam’s birthday today! Happy 28th Birthday Sam! Feels like a really good reason to celebrate.

5. I’ll have an extra day with Ol and Laurice in Delray (I’m flying home on Thursday)

6. We’ve now hit a new total of well over £3,000 raised.

7. I couldn’t face another night in a motel

8. Having a new plan does wonders for your motivation!

So the plan, which I had come up with during the ride yesterday, was to roll together the two last days – Fort Pierce to Juno Beach, Juno Beach to Delray Beach – into one big ride. This would involve leaving Fort Pierce even earlier to avoid too much heat (also taking advantage of the semi-cloudy, possibly rainy conditions forecast later) and knuckling down to one big last push to the finish at the old Beach Pavillion, Delray. I felt totally up for it, but only time would tell if I really was!

I said goodbye to my last motel room before 3am and cycled through the empty but pretty streets of Fort Pierce:

I had one of the longest rides of the whole trip ahead of me, but didn’t feel too worried about it, just excited to be on the last day. I had a strategy today for the bad moments that I knew lay ahead, the horrible moments when you just want it to end, but it doesn’t: think of the ride like a long-haul flight, where you have no choice but to stick it out. It really worked, most of the time, and I’d be interested to hear if anyone else tries it out!

I followed the A1A as far as possible, crossing and recrossing the lagoon that separates the outer band of land from the mainland (see the Relive video above). My plan to get a coffee and a bun after around 50 miles was a total failure as there wasn’t anywhere at all to stop, so I just pressed on (and it was just as well that I did- see below). I very much doubt that I will ever see the following numbers together on a bike computer again:

60 miles by 7.30am? That’s insane. Time to stop this ‘bonkers’ early rising I think.

Once the sun was out I started seeing cyclists everywhere. Group after group of Saturday club riders steamed past me, overtaking or on the opposite side of the road. Getting a friendly ‘hello’ out of any of them, however, was like trying to get an admission of guilt out of Donald Trump. I made a big effort to greet one slower-moving gang that overtook me, and when not a single person (all men) replied, I snapped, feeling road-jaded and in need a friendly response, and shouted out ‘Oh stuff the lot of you then!’, like a sulky child. Florida and cycling is a conundrum – loads of bikers, way more than anywhere else on the entitle seaboard as far as I can tell and with superb bike lanes, but the riders take themselves a lot too seriously, in my opinion.

As aching and tiredness took over I admit I was becoming pretty tetchy and irritable, a sure sign that the end of the was coming but not fast enough. I passed through some very smart areas, including a mega-yacht boatyard around West Palm Beach, and the kind of houses and compounds that Trump is so keen on. I also passed his infamous Mar-a-Lago estate but chose not to take photo.

I was feeling absolutely done in by now, and just turning my feet because there wasn’t any alternative, as the steamy heat left me gasping:

Let’s cut to the finish again, because now I can!

My view of the Pavillion as I reached the end, with the blue awning of the Luna Rosa on the right.

As we ate our 2nd breakfast the heavens opened and the most torrential Floridian downpour and strong wind sent the outdoor diners as well all the beach-goers scurrying for cover. So if I’d stopped for that coffee and a bun as I had intended…..well, you can guess the outcome.

The storm hitting the Pavillion. At least it would have been a tailwind, judging by those palm trees!

I told Ol about my personal tradition of ending a really major bike adventure with a pint of stout and a Jameson on the rocks, but that he didn’t have to do the same if it was a bit early (it felt like early evening to me!) He said he was willing to join me, which was very noble of him. When the rain stopped we walked our bikes up to an English pub, stopping on the way to let Ol try riding my fully-loaded bike…

…and I placed our order:

I felt very emotional, and it wasn’t just the Guinness! I think it was having my brother to celebrate with, unlike that time on Newfoundland when I spent the evening in a packed Irish bar, but alone.
The bar was celebrating something and handed out free vodka-shot-jellos to everyone, which were much stronger than I expected! Does anyone remember this in the Prairies 2017?

Cheers! The rain started again whilst we were in the pub, which was cozy for us, but very wet for our poor bikes.

Then Laurice arrived to drive us home (just as well) and within minutes I was soaking in the huge tub (esp. after all of those tiny motel versions), L was doing her Saturday afternoon violin teaching in the living room and Olly was watching the Spurs match. Culture shock can be a really pleasant thing, sometimes.

Well everybody, I think I need to stop there. I’m finally in Delray, after cycling right through so many cities (Providence, Portsmouth, Boston, New York, Wilmington, Charleston, Savannah, Jacksonville) and crossing so many rivers, riding through so much amazing countryside, meeting so many people, but right now all I want to do is stay in the same place for a day or two.

SPECIAL MESSAGE TO BEECHWOOD STAFF!: Thanks so much to all of you for your amazing contributions over the summer. I’ve loved getting all of the messages of encouragement and thoughts along the way. Oh, and one more thing – you know those lovely, delicate melon slices the school kitchen do everyday for lunch? I thought of them yesterday as I wolfed down slice after slice of this:

This is a bit more bike-touring-sized! I had to finish it, because there’s just NO WAY I’m carrying a Floridian-sized cantaloupe.

CARTOONS THAT ARE FUNNY:

I’d forgotten that O&L had this lovely cartoon.

41 thoughts on “Day 50 – Dash To The Finish Line: Fort Pierce to Delray Beach Pavillion!”

  1. Congratulations , Ben, what an achievement! And such an inspirational one. Enjoy a well-deserved rest before heading home where we hope to see you at some point x

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  2. Hi Ben,
    I’ve never followed a similar expedition/adventure before and always avoided biking. Your amazingly insightful journeys have made me think again. The sheer joy you convey and the hard physical effort demands my deepest respect. What an achievement. See you back in the uk perhaps at your dad’s place if we coincide!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I’ve loved your comments Luke, so glad you came along for the ride. It would be great to see you and sandy soon – Dad’s putting a collection of mum’s poems together with Steve Xerri to submit to Schmidt, so hopefully we’ll all have something to look forward to there! Bx

      Like

      Reply

  4. Congratulations, Ben!!!! What an enormous achievement, AGAIN! Enjoy your days off now until you return, sending tons of love to you!
    Selena

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks so much Selena – it was lovely knowing you Joanna and Susie were together when I was away, and sorry you won’t see Jacob. he’s just been swimming in an empty Swedish lake somewhere, but you may know more about all that than I do! Loads of love to you all too Bxxx

      Like

      Reply

  5. Absolutely incredible effort!! How does it feel?? Hopefully different to when you finished in Canada. As you mentioned, I’m sure having your brother around makes a huge difference.

    Enjoy a well earned rest and get some sleep!! I’m tired just thinking about all your early starts. Loved every stage of the blog from NYC to iPad recovery to impolite entitled men in crap clothing!

    And really, would it kill those cyclists to day a ‘good morning’ or nod politely?!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Yes, it couldn’t have been more different. I now think I would never have made it past Delray even if I wanted to! Something about having famil y there made the wheels come off good and proper. How’s California going, and the Skywalker Ranch?? Loved the photos from the mass west coast bike ride. i bet you all said hello to people.

      Like

      Reply

  6. Wow! I can’t believe you’ve finished, Ben!
    Huge congratulations on an amazing achievement 🥂🍾
    I’ve so enjoyed following your blog and will really miss reading it every morning over my breakfast!
    Will you make it into a book again?
    Enjoy your well deserved rest with your brother and see you soon 😊 Px

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Neither can I Penny. thanks for the support along the way, it’s been great having your lovely comments. I looked back over a few blog posts this morning but had to stop because it made my head spin. I’m going to start putting some stats together if I can… see you next term Bxx

      Like

      Reply

  7. What an amazing final day! Such an incredible achievement Ben – wow! Huge congratulations! Enjoy your rest days, you certainly deserve them and wishing you well for the journey home.
    Look forward to seeing you soon and hearing about it all! xx

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  8. It’s so lovely thinking of you at the end of your ride safely ensconced in the bosom of your family – what a difference from last time, as you say. Huge congratulations, and see you soon! XOXOX

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  10. Ben you’re such an inspiration! Enjoy the well-earned rest with your brother.

    Be good to join you for a spin some time on your return if you’re ever north of the Watford Gap??

    Bx

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

      1. Haha! There could be no other, of course. Yes, I suspect you’ll want a bit of respite from two wheels after this one.

        Bx

        Like

  12. Well done, Ben. Really inspiring and it’s been fun following your blog.

    I am always reminded of Bilbo’s poem although ge doesn’t find the sea until the end and he really ought to have had a bike.

    And as for motels and garages, I’ve watched too many episodes of Twin Peaks, so am glad you have finished safely.

    Looking forward to your next journey.

    The Road goes ever on and on,
    Down from the door where it began.
    Now far ahead the Road has gone,
    And I must follow, if I can,
    Pursuing it with eager feet (wheels),
    Until it joins some larger way
    Where many paths and errands meet.
    And whither then? I cannot say.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  14. Many congratulations, Ben! It has been so uplifting and exhilarating following your every “revolution.” Oliver’s wobble at the end brought home to me just what an achievement it has been carrying your house and home with you , together with unhelpful weather challenges.
    You have inspired me for the planning of a new ( somewhat shorter than yours) bike adventure myself. Who knows where, who knows when… but definitely before the end of 23.
    Big question – given all the calories both consumed and burned- have you lost or gained weight? 🤗🤣👵

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thank you so much,Judith! I’m delighted to hear that it might have made you consider another trip yourself. I sometimes think it can put people off, because of the scale of my trips, but I’ve had superb shorter ones too. As for weight, I’ve definitely lost rather than gained! You just can’t keep up with the expenditure, and even more so down south where every effort makes you sweat. These free days in Delray may change all of that, however, because I’m still as hungry as if i was riding, but I’m not! Bx

      Like

      Reply

  17. Huge congratulations to you Ben! A fabulous achievement. I got a bit behind but I read your whole blog and thoroughly enjoyed it. I did quite a bit of bike touring in my younger days with a loaded bike including a tent etc so I can relate.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

      1. I did go to Wales together with Raff years ago. I also went to Wales to visit our old family house there near Bala lake with other people over the years. I also biked from London to Italy on my own once. Through the whole of France of course and over the Alps. That was quite an adventure. But your trips are truly epic in proportion. I’m thinking of trying it again some time soon. Friends walked the length of Great Britain last year. Also a very inspiring journey that I followed via their blog. You are a fine writer Ben!

        Like

  18. Wowee! You really pulled out all the stops for this last one (and very memorable that it happened to land on my birthday!). What an amazing achievement Dad. I will really miss the blog and the endlessly fascinating, entertaining and at times sobering cross-section it drew through the colonised landscape of North America – in an age of hypercapitalism, climate change and denialism, but also demonstrating the innate goodness and generosity in so many everyday people (although in Florida, not so much, by the sounds of it… 😉 ). And perhaps the kind of journey you needed to start processing your mum’s passing. The heavens have just opened here in (Old) York so I could almost feel your end-of-ride Floridian downpour (that pathetic fallacy malarkey really does work doesn’t it!). As a final song, I’d like to recommend Little More Time With You by the one and only James Taylor, who’s had some useful accompaniments for various parts of your trip (if you’d carried on further south you could have played Mexico…). A great song for people with a desire to stop travelling and spend time with loved ones. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MoC-SwqHxbw
    Hopefully see you soon! XXX

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Sam that’s such a nice summary of the journey, and I agree with pretty much all of it but I would say that my take on Floridian attitudes was very much bike-centric, and not exactly a cross section of society. The thing is, though, you notice from the moment you cross the state line that this state simply has more money, in everything, everywhere. It’s another world after Georgia and the Carolinas. Lovely song link, and very suitable to my mood at then end. Dxx

      Like

      Reply

Leave a reply to Chris West Cancel reply