Just a quick one today, as I’m struggling to stay awake at this evening. The last couple of days have had one theme, trucking it. With favorable winds, flat ground and choices on where to stay each night I’ve continued to push on well above 100 miles daily.
The original plan was to take it easy up the East Coast and just keep going, but that’s gone right out the window. Both days I’ve got to the 80-90 target location and just thought sod it, truck on. Bar rain today, the weather’s great for cycling, the countryside’s more of the same gently rolling or flat farm land and coastal communities, and there’s shops, cafes and petrol stations galore, so it just seems silly to stop early. Clock an extra 20-25 miles a day and buy myself a full day off in Washington D.C. is how I’m looking at it.
Also with the end in sight there is definitely a fresh drive in me. There really is nothing new to add on the previous post. The Coastal Carolinas are a beautiful and gentle place to spend a few days. With a vast network of b-roads it’s mostly seriously relaxed riding, although when you do hit busier stretches the lack of any kind of shoulder in most cases can be seriously unpleasant. It’s just that same minority of bullheaded idiots you get all over the world, but for them you’re just an annoyance in their narrow minded self important day. No thought of the fact they may be driving a multi ton pick up, and my sole protection is essentially a glorified polystyrene salad bowl masquerading as a helmet. For them their day or their phone call is just more important than your life.
But it’s the same everywhere. Spend a day cycling central London or read the letters pages of the Evening Standard, you’ll find the same ignorant narrow self righteous attitude to cyclist. I have a theory it’s because drivers can’t see your face, so they can depersonalize you, and treat you in a way they never would to your face.Any way, it’s only a very small minority, everyone else is just brilliant, so I’ll stop complaining. And also I’m fairly chilled out this evening, laid up in a funky little motel in the amazingly laid back coastal town of Surf City. I could happily spend a few days here. It’s got that same charm of much of the Atlantic Coast; long sandy beaches, pastel clap board houses, relaxed attitudes and chicly shabby crab shacks and bars open out onto the coast. Holiday heaven.
Route - Moncks Corner -Conway - Little River - Wilmington - Surf City
Monday 16 May
Breakfast - Oatmeal, Fruit, a smoothie and a latte - McDonalds. Ronald and his chums have nailed this one. Motel wasn’t providing, so this was open and this is from their healthy range. Was it the best Oatmeal? No. Was it the best best fruit? No. Was it....you get the picture, but it was a good start to the day, and felt healthy, bar the coffee.Lunch - Chicken Sub and Crisps - Subway. Again from the healthy menu, and again good.
Supper - Fajitas Texicanas - Jay’s of Little River. Good solid feed and well cooked.
 |
| View from the cafe |
Tuesday 17 May
Breakfast - Motel standards.
Lunch - Angus Supreme meal - McDonalds. I tell you their Wi-Fi has got so much business out of me. It’s raining you’re hungry, you need to research something, and you know they have good connection, it’s a winning combo.
Supper - Alligator bites and blackened Mahi Mahi Steak - Buddy’s Fish and Oyster Bar, Surf City. Cracking feed, in a very fun little bar right hard up on the shore. Full of surfers and families, a perfect beach bar in my book. Alligator was tasty too.
