City riding

October 23rd - Punta Gorda, FL
Best Western Hotel
Mileage: 101 km
Total mileage: 6,254km

Leaving Palmetto we travelled south on Hwy 41 through Bradenton, Sarasota, Osprey, Laurel, Nokomis, Venice, North Port, Port Charlotte, Charlotte Harbor and finally to Punta Gorda. Nearing the end of our day I knew we were in luck when we crossed Charlotte Harbor and from the bridge viewed lots of hotels along its south shore being Punta Gorda. Tired of trying to find campgrounds we got a room at the Best Western with an ocean view. Beautiful community.

The entire day was city riding. The towns may have different names but each and every one of them are linked together. It was a very different kind of riding day, but interesting with lots to take in. Multi-lane congested traffic all day, but everyone was polite and gave us the room we needed.

I find that if you ride out into the right lane a bit you are visible to motorists at a greater distance and they will go around you. If you hug the curb on the right side of the road they won't give you an inch.

The motorists around here are well behaved. It is a matter of survival. There is so much traffic that rules of the road and speed limits have to be obeyed to keep the flow continuous. If you can ride a bike among motorists in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and survive, riding here is a pleasure.

Apart from Punta Gorda, Sarasota was particularly beautiful. We rode along the water front, the parks and marinas.

The day was slow going. Lots of traffic lights to negotiate and lots of exits and merges to navigate. Average riding speed was down throughout.

Sunny, warm, good to be alive!