ST. SIMONS ISLAND, GEORGIA
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Was it worth it? I guess I got the photo I was looking for.
Back on the island the streets, or main road, had no shoulder. There was a sidewalk / bike path next to it though.
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.
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.
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.
Having blown up my original ride I just followed roads. I found Fort Frederica which was built by James Oglethorpe.
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.
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.
The Oak tree and the tournament were interesting discoveries. But my one goal for the day was finding a lighthouse.
I found the quaint downtown of King City on St. Simons Island. I found two crabbers with their cooler full of crabs.
They told me they would sell them for $1.50 each.
But my goal was to find the lighthouse. Which really wasn’t hard.
Simply follow the road closest to the ocean.
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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