St. Simons Island

ST. SIMONS ISLAND, GEORGIA

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It was a delightful day for a ride in late November. Just 48 degrees at the start with a bright sun shining down. Arm warmers were the only concession to the “cold” needed today as it would creep up to about 70 by noon.

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Although I mapped out a ride to follow on my Garmin, as I drove across the causeway to St. Simons Island I knew I wanted to ride the causeway. So I never even tried to follow the cues.

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There is a bike lane, and occasionally, a bike path, along the four mile causeway back to Brunswick. It was a little strange because the arrows only pointed in one direction but I had to ride “the wrong way” to Brunswick before turning around and going back to the island.

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For a photo op I left the actual bike trail and followed my own next to the bridge. At the end I had to step over the guard rail and something sharp pricked my skin. I ignored it and started to pedal away then looked down. I was covered with those damn cockleburs.

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They hurt. And you can’t pinch them with your fingers to lift them off because they prick your fingers too. I got out a credit card and flicked them off, usually after three or four tries.

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Was it worth it? I guess I got the photo I was looking for.

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Back on the island the streets, or main road, had no shoulder. There was a sidewalk / bike path next to it though.

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Usually not long and straight, or concrete, this asphalt jungle weaved in and out. I wasn’t comfortable riding it so I jumped on the road. I was on Frederica Road and even though I was riding 20 mph in a 35 mph zone,  I soon had a line of cars behind me. I pulled over when I could to let them by.

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One of those cars was a police car. I pulled off the road completely but later caught up to the policeman. I asked him if that was a bike trail and he told me it wasn’t and that we wanted me to ride on the road. And the cars would give me three feet. Little did he know.

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I found my time on Frederica Road to be some of the most nervous riding I have done. At least five cars passed with an 18-24″ clearance. Riding on the island was mostly fun but don’t know if I would recommend it for nervous riders.

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Having blown up my original ride I just followed roads. I found Fort Frederica which was built by James Oglethorpe.

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My biggest surprise was finding The Wesley Oak. This was a tree that Charles Wesley first preached in March, 1736. My dad would have loved this discovery.

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Another surprise was discovering a PGA event was being held on the island. The RSM Classic hosted by Davis Love III. Of the 16 golfers in the top ten (a bunch were tied at T7, I only recognized the name of Charles Howell III. The leader was Mackenzie Hughes.

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The Oak tree and the tournament were interesting discoveries. But my one goal for the day was finding a lighthouse.

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I found the quaint downtown of King City on St. Simons Island. I found two crabbers with their cooler full of crabs.

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They told me they would sell them for $1.50 each.

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But my goal was to find the lighthouse. Which really wasn’t hard.

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Simply follow the road closest to the ocean.

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It was simply a gorgeous day for riding. I don’t know that I would come back but I will say I maximized my sightseeing today.

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