day #1 follow up / day #2 plans

I instantly got lost trying to comprehend where I-Drive and Westwood connect and went the wrong way.  Then I got on track and headed north (the right way) on I-Drive.  I got to Sand Lake Road and realized how terrible that intersection is, even beyond my predictions.  Trying to turn left and then cross under I-4, only to make yet another left turn onto Turkey Lake seemed stupid, especially since my two reasons for stopping there were largely useless.  For one, I was only a couple more miles up to the bike shop to get my tube, and I can probably get a bathing suit at 250 stores in the area.  And Wal mart doesnt need any more business anyway.

So I kept on going up I-Drive until I got to ProCycle.  The clerk Raphael was really nice, I got my tube and after we chatted for a minute he invited me to ride with a small group (8-10 people) Saturday morning at 7:30AM.  Turns out they do a 35 mile loop...normally I'd be nervous about this since his shop is another 5-6 miles and then I'd be doing damn near 50 miles! But I asked if they headed south and indeed they do, he drew me this map:

So I'll head out of here at about 7:30 to meet them at the 'dot' which is Central Florida Pkwy and Westwood.  I'll have to make a judgement call on when to leave the route and head back, without knowing the whole route (or the streets quite well enough) I don't want to get myself into a marathon ride, even longer than these guys are going to do.

I had it happen once before, same bike, earlier this summer. My rear brake pad was making a horrible scraping sound.  I knew something was lodged in it.  I took the wheel off when I got back and used a steak knife to pull this mess out of the pad.  Yikes.

So I hit all my spots today except East West CDs...which I'm glad I pulled the plug, 25 miles was far enough.  Barely started to hit the wall towards the end but it wasn't too hot, probably never got above 80.  Very nice.  Got back and ate, took a shower and a nap.  Hopefully tomorrow I can do the same.  After the bike shop I hit up the mall where I stopped at the record store as planned, plus Ron Jon next door to get a bathing suit.  Had a hell of a time finding anything bigger than a 38, I got a 42 and probably should have gotten a 40.  Still not bad and only paid $20 on clearance (they had tons of trunks for $40-60).  After that I considered turning around as I knew I'd be close to 20 at that point but I decided to truck on over straight west to Goodwill which was a bust.  Still glad I did it.  I look forward to trying to maintain this pace as the week goes on.

Tomorrow I am going to take bus 50 at 9:23am to the Lynx station (with my bike on the front, of course) then I have a bunch of stops lined up.  Again, this Goodwill (different one) is way out of the way and I'm tempted not to even bother but....well I don't know what 'but', I am just going to do it.  I will probably have to hit Retro Records last as they don't open until 11.  I went there last year and they are the only one of the three record stores I visited that I care about and luckily it's nearby.  Village Thrift I did call, they do have vinyl but 'only one box'.  I've heard (and seen) that before. The Rusty Spoon I stopped at two years ago...probably will be in need of foods after that ride and very well may have time to kill waiting for a bus back (and its only about a mile from the bus station).

As for now having a couple beers then hit the rack early so I can be out the door around 9am.