What's Fred Up To Now?: November 10 - Gulf Shores, AL to Milton, FL

November 10 - Thursday; Gulf Shores, AL to Milton, FL; 68 miles.
The Mictrotel had a small continental breakfast and after partaking we were off and riding at 7:30 am . It was about 48 degrees, overcast and pretty windy with the wind mainly out of the NNW. We were riding east so the wind was a strong crosswind and very gusty riding over the "strand" I'd ridden yesterday - very different than yesterday's pleasant ride. Once east of the strand there were buildings and trees so the wind wasn't as bad until we headed north (into the wind) going through the NE part of Pensacola. At mile 28 we stopped at one of the gas stations I'd stopped at yesterday. My left foot was completely numb from just behind the ball of my foot all the way to the toes. My right foot was fine so my theory is that is must have been windchill. In any event once feeling came back I didn't have any more issues. We left the gas station and rode another 4 miles to an iHOP for breakfast/lunch. The food was fine but the service slow. I think we were there about an hour and a half. This nearly bit us in the butt before we arrived at the Gulf Pines KOA 5 miles past Milton next to I-10. We didn't get here until 4:30 pm and there wasn't much daylight left. By the time I set up my tent and took a shower it was already dark. Back to the ride: Once we cleared Pensacola going north we followed US 90 east across a 3 mile long causeway. Traffic was very heavy but the shoulder plenty wide. Once across the causeway was Pace then another 8 miles to Milton. This stretch was very commercial and you didn't know when you left one city and arrived in the other. There was also heavy traffic but also a dedicated bicycle lane so, again, no real problems with traffic. It doesn't seem like Florida drivers have much respect for bicyclists as many don't move over even though there is plenty of room for them to do so. We ride US90 for much of the rest of the way to St. Augustine so I hope it gets a little more rural with less traffic. We walked to a Waffle House restaurant for dinner and just got back. My bike clothes were very sweaty and with no way to dry them, I'm doing a load of laundry while posting this blog entry. The KOA laundry room doesn't have soap but at least they will be rinsed well and dry when I'm finished. I don't think there is a laundry facility where we are staying in DeFuniak Springs tomorrow night so I figured I'd make sure I had something to wear the day after. It is supposed to get down to 38 degrees tonight so it'll be another cold one. I brought a little warmer sleeping bag with me for the remainder of the trip so that will help. While it will be a cold start tomorrow, it is supposed to warm quickly into the 60s so if the wind does not pick up, most of the day should be fine weather wise.