Today was my first trip north from Marco Island. I decided to travel all the way up US41 instead of going through the middle of Florida. It's very scenic, but I was riding against a 15 mile an hour headwind so it wasn't as easy as yesterdays ride. I traveled 84 miles today into Port Charlotte, but after 65 miles in I knew there was something wrong with my rear derailer. There is a bike shop in Port Charlotte I was trying to reach but just as I saw it my derailer broke into pieces and I was stranded at the side of the road.
Luckily Phil Harnden saw me struggling and stopped to see if I needed a hand. After we found out the bike shop was closed, Phil invited me to his home for the evening. He and his wife, Heidi and thier two children, Danny and Victoria, and Nana are awesome hosts. They fed me dinner, shared fine conversation and made me feel right at home. Nana is going back to Hamilton, ON pretty soon so I figure maybe I'll just take her room. Tomorrow morning Phil is bringing me to bike shop and hopefully I'll be on the road again within an hour.
10 comments:
First day, and already met some nice people!! Awesome! Good luck on the rest of the trip Charlie!!
Hey dad! i hope you dont let this get you down on your bike. I guess you were right about the whole people are good thing. Im glad you got help.
Be safe and i love you
This is from the nice people you met on the airplane. We are alos wishing you well. Hope your minor problems are over for awhile but I agree there are a lot of nice people out there and you are one. Have a wonderful adventure and we will be checking in.
Terry & Alta seats 18D and 18E Spirit
Dad & Mom.
Hey Charlie hope the rest of your trip is free from bike mishaps. So glad that there are friendly people along the way to help you. Have a fun and safe trip son. Love Dad & Mom
Chaz-o-maniac! We certainly hope the rest of this trip brings you far less mechanical difficulties!!! We are rooting for you - keep up the great pace and attitude! We are so glad you are finding all the nice people in this world!!! Stay safe bro!
Love, Joe & Gina
Hey Uncle Charlie!!
Hello & good luck from Seattle! Mom & I are following your blog & wishing you the best of weather, trails & adventures. I hope you have a safe & rewarding experience, I think that it's so awesome that you're making this goal a reality, it's very inspiring. Best wishes & I'll be sure to keep saying hi!
~Gus
hey charlie man!
You are one crazy brother,but good crazy! I wish I could follow you around with a video camera - I think it would make a great documentary for the discovery channel. Have fun - enjoy and be safe.
Love ya!
Charlie, I wish we had realized you were going to be stopping in Port Charlotte. We are friends of Al and Sandy and former GCP people. We moved from Gaylord to Port Charlotte 4 years ago. I'm so glad you found a nice family to take care of you.
MaryEllen
Hey my brother!
That's a bummer about your bike but way awesome that you were saved by nice guy Phil and his family! Don't let the bike get you down - I'm sure it's just adjusting to being on a real road adventure and not in your comfy living room anymore.
Love ya - Cathy
dear mr.bono,
hi this is two of your kids from world geo!!! we miss you so much and support your bicycling. the world isn't the same without you as our teacher. i love the suit! i wish we could have gone with you and been like batman and robins nananananana...BATMAN!!!!! ttyl
jenna and cassy
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