Geezer Cruises Manasota Key

After yesterday's total of sixteen miles around the side-streets practicing stopping/starting/turns Paul said he was willing to take'r out for a longer and busier route for some more mileage. While the bike club took off from the Island Sun Inn at 9:00 to ride 50 miles to Siesta Key Beach, a few were wanting to do a shorter ride. We met up with John/Fran and Linda for a 10:00 start. John led us on a ride to Englewood Beach, going along Manasota Key. John/Fran have just started to ride as a tandem team too. So they were on Blue Belle (their newly aquired Burley Duet) and she was introduced to Geezer Cruiser. What a fun time it was. It was a 33 mile ride. We were getting the hang of it on our push-off starts, getting the feel of just how high the right pedal should be for the best start. Paul found out the bike takes a bit longer to stop, and he couldn't stop it soon enough and did touch the back of Blue Belle one time when John/Fran stopped in front of us. But nobody went over, so it was a good save. Before returning along the Key, Paul and I suggested eating across the street from Englewood Beach at the Lock n Key Restaurant. They have a great lunch menu and we all enjoyed the food. Linda was on her single (Specialized Roubaix). This was only her second day in Florida. She is riding strong and it was great to have her along on our 'tandem newbies' ride.
God is Good, and thanks be to our Guardian Angels for watching over us.

Manasota key at Englewood Beach. Paul and Sara

John and Fran taking Blue Belle out for a spin.

Linda S., John and Paul

The Red Tide (a fish fungus) is very smelly too. No wonder my eyes have been tearing and I cough when riding along some of the beaches where the Red Tide has hit.