Season 2 Episode 21 (10/11 - 10/13): Friends who Inspire and Nurture. Mount Pleasant, SC to Beaufort, SC to Hilton Head Island, SC

Season 2 Episode 21 (10/11 - 10/13): Friends who Inspire and Nurture. Mount Pleasant, SC to Beaufort, SC to Hilton Head Island, SC – 

10/11. Mount Pleasant, SC to Beaufort, SC 89 miles, 1,274’ climbing.

We left Mt. Pleasant and crossed the lengthy, steep and attractively scenic Ravenel Bridge over the Cooper River to Charleston.

Though a steep pitch, it was a wonderful private lane with protection from the traffic and a high rail on the water side.

The area is so flat, that to train for hills, our Warm Showers host will go ride the bridge back and forth multiple times.

Cycling along the water around the Battery area of Charleston and by the old mansions was beautiful. We also experienced some detours of roads closed due to clean up of a Hurricane Ian.

Leaving Charleston, we met southbound bike packers for the first time. Good to see the wardrobe similarities.

As the day moved along, we grew tired. I especially was getting “hangry” (hungry and angry) and we were not passing good food options. It wasn’t the best road and Heather was getting bored with so much flat riding. On the other hand, I was fine with flat roads, but was feeling tired and just wanted to be done for the day. About the only think propelling me was knowing we had visits with friends ahead of us. First, our friends Colette and Gary were meeting us in Beaufort for dinner and the night, and Gary would ride with us tomorrow to Hilton Head Island. (HHI). They are friends from Larchmont who retired two years ago to the beautiful mountain area around Asheville in Western North Carolina.

So while struggling to ride with any pace and 1.25 hours still to go, I noticed Heather’s rear red light had stopped working (needed recharging). We pulled over into the grass beyond the shoulder to change it to my spare light. While our heads were down setting up the light, we sensed people near us. We looked up, and to our great surprise and our elation, we saw our friends Colette and Gary running to us in this random spot.

What were the crazy odds of us on our bikes and them in the car, each with all the various little travel decisions and delays that day, both being there at that exact minute?

After shouts of joy, big hugs and kisses, we decided Gary should ride the final stretch of today with us, so he pulled out his bike.

Wardrobe change and “Captain” Gary is ready to roll.

My metamorphosis was near instant. I felt my own energy level rise from Gary’s mere presence. An explanation is needed. Gary has completed 8 full-length Ironman triathlons, including Arizona and Lake Placid with Heather who he recruited to the effort.  He was the unofficial captain, or leader of the pack, of a group he assembled to complete triathlons and fundraise. As Heather put it, he had inspired her to push herself to limits she hadn’t previously thought she could do. It’s possible Heather has spent almost as much time riding with Gary as with me. So he’s an inspiring figure. With the energy he provided, we easily finished up and met Colette at the hotel and then enjoyed a wonderful dinner in Beaufort sitting out by the bay.

The second part of the friends visit was our planned ride together to HHI, and for all of us to stay with other friends Cate and Gregg. They are also friends from Larchmont who’ve relocated to HHI for most of the year.

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10/12. Beaufort, SC to Hilton Head Island, SC 44 miles, 930’ climbing.

Hilton Head is the only place in our travels that Heather and I have returned to several times, both as a couple and with our kids. We love the vibe and the unique ability to ride 20 miles on the beach on hard packed sand, right by the water’s edge at low tide. It’s our happy place. So we set out that morning with great anticipation to see friends Cate and Gregg, and to a place we ourselves feel at home.

From summer 2016, why it’s my happy place.

Heading from Beaufort to our happy place.

Riding the busy roads and over the bridges to get to HHI, I had two realizations:

(1) While HHI is an incredibly relaxing and special place to bike on the beach and the many miles of paved paths once on the island, it’s treacherous getting there. The roads to the island have narrow shoulders, if any, and fast traffic. It’s not on either the ACA bike route or the East Coast Greenway to go there and for good reason.

(2) As I fearfully crossed the bridges over the water, with hands in pain from squeezing the handlebars so tightly, I wondered what the hell was I thinking planning this trip that ends with 3 riding days in the Florida Keys where the last 120 miles on the Overseas Highway cross 42 bridges including the Seven Mile Bridge? I’m starting to question the sense of that. I’ll hold off worrying and will cross that bridge (those bridges) when I come to them.

When we got to Cate and Gregg’s, we felt very welcomed and cared for. Heather to no surprise wanted to go bike riding on the beach. Partly to show Gary the experience as it was his first visit. And partly because she’s aways up for more activity. Despite beach biking truly being one of my favorite activities in my favorite places, I was ready to peel off my bike shorts and take a day and half rest off the bike.

We enjoyed walking on the beach.

We loved being with friends with whom we’ve all raised our kids. Cate and Gregg were incredible hosts in their beautiful home. They catered to us. Giving us downtime as needed and cooking delicious dinners.

It was so much fun, so relaxing and vacation-like, we didn’t want to leave and would have been glad to end our biking there. However, we still have over two weeks to go.

As Heather and I enjoyed a beach walk, we discussed a thought we’ve had many times in the past - do we want to live here?

© Copyright Mark Segal 2022