Gator Country Hell Week Day 6: The Answer Is Blowin' In The Wind

"Any chance we'll get a tailwind today?"

This was the question du jour, and each time I heard it, the answer was the same.

"No."

Once again, though, it was hard to find anything to complain about. Sure, the wind blew at 15-20 most of the day out of the southwest. Yes, our route stairstepped west-south-west for about 105 miles from Winter Garden to Bartow. And never mind the hilly orange grove region between Haines City and Lake Wales.

Yes, it was a tough day, but today was the warmest day of the tour yet. Starting with a morning low of 64, and quickly rising into the 80s, there was little need for the "Shed Clothes" box because we rolled out in summer attire.

Retracing the last few miles of Day 5's route, we quickly exited the Orlando area and made our way back to Clermont, where we took the obligatory touristy route past stately old homes lining the hilly side streets. After crossing Highway 50, we zoomed down the ridge and circled yet another lake before heading back out into the country.

The first sag stop was on Rt 33 after 28 miles, providing a chance to refuel before another 10-mile segment on the Van Fleet State Trail. The wind steadily picked up by mid-morning, but it just didn't seem to dampen spirits. The stroll west on Green Pond Road was like going back into 1950s rural Florida.

And then we got on the path where we could mentally unplug from reality.

Lunch was served picnic-style at the southern terminus of the trail, and after a quick brain check, we resumed our travel on roads. By 11:30 the wind had increased to the point that no one was moving as fast as they had been just a couple of hours earlier. It was a struggle to get to Haines City, where the downtown section gave a quick chance for a breather.

But then a mile east of town, the route turned due south into rolling hills and Mr. Wind. It was without doubt the toughest stretch of the tour thus far. The scenic beauty of endless citrus groves was lost on us as we kept our heads low over the handlebars.

Just north of Lake Wales and nearly in the shadow of Bok Tower, Becky and Mark set up the afternoon sag. With 75 miles behind us, we were all feeling more like we'd done well over 100. But the day was far from over, with a long, flat 50K to Bartow. Aside from a 3-mile section near Wahneta, it was nothing but headwinds and heat.

The final leg of the route slipped through Eagle Lake and onto Old Bartow-Eagle Lake Road, a frequently cycled lane in Polk County. Finally the stop light at US 98 came into view, signalling the motel was only a block away. And the end came not a moment too soon, as everyone was pretty whipped by the time they dismounted.

By some strange occurrence it seems that everyone's suncreen decided to quit working today. Perhaps it was the wind. Maybe it was our skin saying "I've had enough of this paleness."

Whatever it was, our group just looked a lot darker this afternoon than they did this morning.
Of course, a good tan will just make our tales all that more believable when we go home.

Tailwinds, no. But tan lines, yes. Wind and 80s trumps calm and cold every day of the week.

Dr "Farmer Tan" Gerlich