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Saturday, December 22, 2001 - Cycling Hell on FL82
65 miles. Punta Gorda, FL to Ommokolee
Most of today's ride really wasn't that bad but there
was about a 15 mile stretch the kind which tries cyclist's soul. Heading out of
Punta Gorda was fine riding on newly repaved U.S. 41. Nothing of note, but I did
notice an old timer with one arm riding his bike. I assume he had coaster
brakes. I crossed the River into Ft. Myers and, after lunch, headed east on
Fl-82.
At first the riding was fine but about 10 miles east of
Ft. Myers, as often happens in Florida, the paved shoulder ended and I was in
cycling's no man's land. The road was heavily traveled with plenty of oncoming
traffic to create frequent constrictions with me the one being constricted.
There were lots of trucks also so the only survival solution was to pay close
attention to the traffic and to bail out of the roadway when necessary, which
was often. To make matters worse there was a strong headwind which slowed my
pace to a crawl.
I was rescued from this cycling purgatory at the
Collier County line where a nice paved shoulder resumed. I was one happy camper.
I rode the rest of the way into Ommokolee to spend the night. This is a busy
little town with a very large farm worker population. Someone has to pick the
citrus, beans and tomatoes. A part of the town resembled Mexico in some ways.
Eventually the entire area between Omokolee and Ft. Myers will probably be
developed into homes and golf courses. The process is already well underway as
there are many roads leading off from Fl-82 already. Not many houses were in
sight but the traffic flowing into 82 shows they are present.
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