Fifty Plus (50+) - I don't think that Tom went to Florida

The temperatures there are just fine with daytime highs predicted in the 70's all week. (Ormond Beach)

I wonder where he really went?

The temperatures there are just fine with daytime highs predicted in the 70's all week. (Ormond Beach)

I wonder where he really went?

He may have come here cos the temp went way down. Good sun but high wind and cold temp did not make for a good ride.

He must be in southern California!!!

Maybe he's here. We're still getting rained on. I'm going to attempt a Farmer's Market trip on the grocerycycle in the rain. I may be foolish, but that's nothing new. :D

Maybe he's here. We're still getting rained on. I'm going to attempt a Farmer's Market trip on the grocerycycle in the rain. I may be foolish, but that's nothing new. :D

D.G. riding in the rain? Don't do it- Your knee joints will go rusty.

D.G. riding in the rain? Don't do it- Your knee joints will go rusty.

Made it there and back with no rain. Bought everything organic. I think my next bike will have an organic frame.

He's not here, because it's almost 40 degrees out.

He may be on his way after passing through Georgia. I nearly froze my toes off on yesterday's 40 degree road ride. Today's MTB ride was 15 degrees warmer, so he must have not stayed here.

I am in Saint Augustine!

Spent the last two days in Palatka. When I flew into Jacksonville on Saturday afternoon, it was 45 and raining. This morning in Palatka it was 34, and it was down to 31 and a frost about 20 miles away.

On my drive Saturday morning to the airport in Wisconsin, it was snowing and the roads were quite icy.

Right now in St Aug it is 57 and at my house in Wisconsin it is 42. I've been here the most of three days now and the warmest it has been was 62, briefly.

Oh, and I test rode a folding bike here today. Something I could think about stashing at my mom's house and then throw into a rental car whenever I come to visit.

We're going from a current 41 degrees to a 40 below windchill tomorrow night. Is it because Tom posted, and I read it here in MN and it seemed like he was back in Wisconsin?

I was at a store Sunday morning when it was 48. I was wearing a short sleeve shirt and was quite comfy. Getting out of a SUV near me were four people, looking like they were in their early 60s. They were all wearing heavy winter coats. One guy had a heavy leather jacket that was lined with thick sheepskin looking material, and had it zipped all the way up to his chin. I'm not sure I could have worn that if it were 10 degrees, without over-heating.

I was at a store Sunday morning when it was 48. I was wearing a short sleeve shirt and was quite comfy. Getting out of a SUV near me were four people, looking like they were in their early 60s. They were all wearing heavy winter coats.

Been there. A few years age we wore our winter coats in Palm Beach with a temp of about 48, but windy. Keep heading south - Miami will be 76 tomorrow.

Doubt I will head much further south. I enjoy the St. Aug area so much, with all of the quaint shops, historical sites, and state parks. I made a backup reservation in Cocoa Beach but canceled it. Lived in Melbourne in the 1970s and don't find that area all that interesting, except for Kennedy Space Center and the Merritt Island wilderness areas, which I have visited a few times already. It's okay, but not attractive. Was down there for 2 days out of a week long trip here last year. Visited my old home in Melbourne.

And Miami I don't find attractive at all. Been there twice, don't plan to go again. And I think I'd have to hold a gun to my wife's head to get her to go there again.

A side trip down the coast through Flagler and down to Ormond Beach is still a possibility on Wed or Thur, but not likely. Too many things I'd like to do around here.

No winter coats here for me. I brought a hoodie sweatshirt and a windbreaker, so wearing those together will be the heaviest I go. And I'd bet $50 they won't be worn together in Florida - I did wear them together in Wisconsin when I was moving the luggage out of the car and walking two blocks to the airport and it was 12 degrees.

Just came back from a night stroll on the beach with the wind blowing and temp of 52. Had my windbreaker on but took it off because I got too hot.

Yeah, St. Augustine is like what I imagine Europe to be like... it's so lovely. That fountain of youth really works, too!

Here's what I test rode today. Isn't it a neat looking little bike. Replete with fenders and rack and a nylon carry bag for transporting it. Shimano 3-speed, that had very smooth shifts. It was a pretty comfy ride too.

How much is that bike, Tom?

I really like the looks of this one, for $349...

http://www.bikesarecool.com/ProductImages/gallery/curve_zoom.jpg

I new you were close. I just got in from my ride and my toes were getting cold and I am about 100 miles south of St. Augustine. I hope you enjoy your stay and please don't come any further south. I have lived in Florida since I was 19 and I definately don't like the cold. How much was the folding bike? I wouldn't mind finding a used one to take when I travel on business a couple times a year. A friend of mine got a nice one (dahon) for $40.00 so that is my goal.

This one was brand new and was $369 with the storage bag.

If I found a good condition used one for $150 or so, I'd snap it up in second.

Two of my brothers live in Casselberry / Lake Mary area. My sister lives in Melbourne. Another brother lives in a small town pretty much due east of Orlando.

I have a bid of $60 for me to not come any further south. Do I hear $70?

I'm feeling good now. Two words .... hot tub.

Out under the stars. Nice brisk 48 degree air.

Not as nice as when I was in Colorado a couple years back, when I was out in a hot tub at 8500', air temp was 29, and it was a crystal clear night with a thousand stars overhead, blinking in and out of vision through the steam rising from the tub.

But still very nice.

I see that Cocoa is predicted to be 78, 78, & 79 on Wed-Fri. I'm glad I'm not headed there, that would be too hot for me in January. I would probably be miserable - and I'm not kidding. I'm too acclimated to sub-freezing temps to jump into near 80 and be ready for it.

Solveg,

How about this folder?

This one looks something like the one you like, Solveg, and it's $155 from Wal-Mart. 6 speeds.

Probably looks better than it rides.

LOL! Tom, you were the one giving me all that crap last week about all my bikes!

In the end, N+1 prevails.

Sunny, mid 70s and light breezes, very nice yesterday and the next few days will be the same. Once you have spent a few years living in the tropics anything below 60 is frigid. Have fun in Fl

And Miami I don't find attractive at all. Been there twice, don't plan to go again. And I think I'd have to hold a gun to my wife's head to get her to go there again.

Six years ago we drove down the Atlantic coast and up the gulf coast. I expected to dislike Miami Beach but we liked it a lot and stayed 6 days. Have been back twice, including the entire month of January last year. We like it because it is a small city (Miami Beach) attached to a large city (Miami), so there is lots to do. There is good public transit so we didn't use the car often, and of course we could ride our bikes to a lot of attractions. We get bored pretty quickly if we go somewhere where the only things to do are the beach and the mall.

Tom,
If you ever get the chance come to Pensacola/Escambia County and enjoy our beaches and the historic district downtown. Lots of good people here riding cycles and enjoying the mild climate.

Bill

Tom - next time come to the SW coast - Sarasota area - plenty of riders of all ages and abilities and good bike lanes. Temp today, low 70s and sunny, but breezy. Anything below 60 and some people wear ear muffs!!

Tom
If you ever think about coming to the UK---Don't. Keep the bad weather to yourself.

Tom - next time come to the SW coast - Sarasota area - plenty of riders of all ages and abilities and good bike lanes. Temp today, low 70s and sunny, but breezy. Anything below 60 and some people wear ear muffs!!


Tom,
If you ever get the chance come to Pensacola/Escambia County and enjoy our beaches and the historic district downtown. Lots of good people here riding cycles and enjoying the mild climate.

Bill


They obviously aren't aware of the Bombadil curse.

Tom: Your missing some enchanting weather. It has gotten up to 47* in Milwaukee today. Tonight should be delightful with blizzard like conditions (everyone enjoys the snow) and temperatures plummeting to a robust MINUS FOUR* Fahrenheit. Hurry back!

Tom: Your missing some enchanting weather. It has gotten up to 47* in Milwaukee today. Tonight should be delightful with blizzard like conditions (everyone enjoys the snow) and temperatures plummeting to a robust MINUS FOUR* Fahrenheit. Hurry back!

Yeah, I'm thinking that he must have passed through St Louis at around 2:00 this afternoon. In a really short period of time the temperature dropped about 30 degrees.

I think he's headed back home... through northwest Arkansas. Temperature dropped 40 degrees (so far) today, and we're supposed to have snow on Thursday:(

Turns out that my magic touch isn't confined to the weather.

One of the reasons why I picked the motel that I did was because it was close to a bike shop that offered rentals and a nice selection of bikes. Part of my vacation plan was to ride a bike on the beach, without having to try to transport it in a compact rental car.

The day I got here was the last day it was in business, after 8 years of operation.

Here was my final four Florida destinations list:

- St Augustine
- Amelia Island
- Cedar Key
- Cocoa Beach

Pensacola looks nice, but is a longer drive to my mother's house. Would like to go there someday.

My two previous trips down the Miami way were to Miami Beach. Both times staying in the Fontainebleau Hilton at Miami Beach. They were okay stays, with some positives. But it is a been there, done that thing.

If you ever make it to Cedar Key, let me know and maybe we can meet and go for a ride. I am not too far south of there and I even have a couple of loaner bikes. One of them even has flat handelbars.

Sounds good to me.

It was a beautiful 72 today in St Aug. Took two long hikes on the beach, one in Anastasia State Park on their long, natural/undeveloped beach. Short sleeves & shorts, despite a steady wind. Just wonderful.

Then in the late afternoon, I hit two bike shops, one which specializes in fittings and measurements and got all measured up by a laser beam device. Height, leg length, shoulder width, arm length & more. Have a printout from it. It was a free service for potential customers, feeling a bit guilty, I did tip them $10.

It was a blast to be out in the sun, under the green leaves, and riding again. Even rode a road bike, a Cannondale Synapse, that they adjusted to fit my measurements. It was the most comfortable ride I've ever taken on a road bike, but I still don't like brifters, drops, or hoods. Also rode a Marin Mill Valley and Specialized Globe (for the 4th time).

More than anything else, I was concentrating on fit, and these rides confirmed my previous estimates of what worked well for me.

Must admit that the Marin Mill Valley was a very nice ride. Fast, light, responsive and fit well. A much better fitting flat-bar road bike for me than a Specialized Sirrus.

So two long (1.0-1.5 hr) hikes, four bike rides, a dinner of BBQ ribs, and a beautiful drive along the ocean. Not a bad day.

Then in the late afternoon, I hit two bike shops, one which specializes in fittings and measurements and got all measured up by a laser beam device. Height, leg length, shoulder width, arm length & more. Have a printout from it. It was a free service for potential customers, feeling a bit guilty, I did tip them $10.

Wow, you glossed right over that! Was it like that show on TV? Did you not learn anything new? Are both legs the same height? Did they say you'd do better with road bars?



The day I got here was the last day it was in business, after 8 years of operation.

D'Oh!

The free measurement / "fitting" didn't go into great detail. They offer highly specialized fittings, that can take up to 4 hours to finish, which are said to yield exact fittings for specific bikes, based upon your fitness, flexibility, intended usage, goals, etc. You do lots of exercises during it as they gather data.

Mine was a quick 5-6 minute laser measurement. It was left to me to determine what type of bike I preferred, but he did give me some advice and encouraged me to not give up on a comfort road bike, saying that he was sure he could configure one that would work for me.

I'm willing to concede that, but still am not attracted to getting one. In my rides today, I loved riding the Marin and Specialized bikes and tolerated riding on the Cannondale road bike.

Who was it that was swimming laps?

I just saw on the news, a hotel in Chile with a mile long pool! That would be the greatest* lap pool!

You can always tell the tourists in the winter in Florida. You can ALWAYS tell who are the tourists. They're the ones on the beach when it's 50 degrees wearing shorts. Real Floridians are building a fire in the fireplace when it gets that cold.

My mother had the heat on in her house. I could hardly stand it. Didn't complain though. I did shut down the vents in my bedroom & kept the door closed. It was about 10 degrees cooler in there.

I've now been to 7 Florida bike shops over the past 13 months. I find it interesting how their in-stock inventory is so different than what I see in Wisconsin. 3 of them have carried little more than beach cruisers and low-end comfort bikes. Only 1 has carried a broad line of bikes, with a healthy representation of higher-end bikes.

In and around Madison, almost every LBS carries a broad line. Out in the very small towns (pop under 5K or so) it is mostly sub $500 bikes.

Seven isn't a robust sample size, but I've been hitting areas that have a reasonably large population. I'm in St. Johns county and it has a population of 170K. Three were in Brevard County, which has a population of over 500K.

One of the shops I visited today, had a large number of $200-$450 bikes, combined with 10 or so road bikes that started at $1500. No higher end hybrids or mountain bikes, no lower end road bikes. The co-owner told me that they had found that they couldn't sell anything over $500 to anyone but a roadie, and that those buyers weren't interested in anything under $1500. Said I was the first person he could recall in a couple of years who was looking for a flat bar, higher performance bike.

A dealer selling Giant, Sun, Phat, and another cruiser line had a bevy of low end Giant Cypress bikes, some of their Sedona comfort bikes, a handful of mountain bikes, a large rack of beach cruisers, and two expensive Giant road bikes. Nothing from their OCR or FCR lines, which sell like hot cakes around Madison.

I'm sure there are many exceptions to this all over Florida, but it is interesting to find these shops that sell primarily fat tire, comfort bikes and a few high-end road bikes.

I should hit the shops around Jacksonville, Orlando, and Gainesville sometime. I'm sure those are very different. But am done with bike shops on this trip now. My mission has been accomplished.

The day I got here was the last day it was in business, after 8 years of operation.

I'm jealous. I would have arrived the following day... :(

Have you had lunch at Harry's yet?

They obviously aren't aware of the Bombadil curse.

Well for our part of the country his curse came through. 30 at 0630 this morning with 25-30 mph winds. For us southern boys that is damned cold when working outside all day. Dang air station flight line and aprons don't have anything to break the wind at all. Tom can have this stuff back, but he is always welcome here regardless as are you Solveg and all the 50+ crowd. What a great century ride that would be here:D I bet I could get Monica to make a couple of pecan pies and a sweet potato souffle' for afterwards. Y'all come on over here.

Bill

Well for our part of the country his curse came through. 30 at 0630 this morning with 25-30 mph winds. For us southern boys that is damned cold when working outside all day. Dang flight line and aprons dont have anything to break the wind at all. Tom can have this stuff back, but he is always welcome here regardless as are you Solveg and all the 50+ crowd. What a great century ride that would be here:D

Bill

I'm in! Let's make it snow in Tampa!

Have you had lunch at Harry's yet?

I did today. It was good, not great, but good.

Supposed to be 70 here tomorrow, that's a bit above normal. OTOH, it is supposed to be overcast all day, no Florida sunshine. Still, I'll take it over what is going on back in Wisconsin. 0 at my house right now, something like -10 this morning.

I did stop at another bike shop today, albeit briefly. Just happened to spot one while driving around. A small all-Trek shop, with predominantly cruisers and Navigators. A couple of road and mountain bikes. I was in and out in about 3 minutes, a new record time for me.

Got up to around 68. It rained hard, while I was taking a hike in a state park! But that's okay, I enjoy hiking in the rain amongst plants with green leaves. It beats hiking through dead-looking vegetation in a snow storm.

Had a great dinner of blackened tuna at the Florida Cracker Cafe. Followed by a wonderful slice of key lime pie. Mmm, Mmmm. Still remembering it fondly.

I'm going to have to get a bike down here someway. When I was walking along the beach this morning a number of people passed me on beach cruisers. That looked like a lot of fun.

Wish I could stay another week! Will be heading back to my mother's tomorrow and so will be off-line, after tomorrow morning, until getting back to Wisconsin.