Lina’s back from her inspirational 330 mile bike trip from Jacksonville, FL to Charleston, SC and agreed to share the details. All her careful planning paid off: she survived rain and warmer-than-expected weather, rode the whole way without equipment failure or injury, built up a hearty appetite but never went hungry, and successfully found places to pitch her tent along the way.
If you missed the pre-trip Q&A with plenty of tips for plotting your own bike camping trip, read all about it here.
So Lina, what was the best part of the trip? Your fondest memory?
One afternoon we got caught in heavy rain and decided to keep riding through it, to make sure we reached our site in Patterson, GA before dark. It was around 80 degrees and the cooler water was surprisingly energizing. We were in swampland, and as the rain relented everything around us turned a lush electric green, unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Another great memory is this epic dinner we had at Denny’s on our fifth day. We’d been craving a good milkshake, and their Oreo Mud Pie shake is sublimely good.
What was the hardest part of the trip?
Parts of the fifth and sixth day, where my legs were tired and slower. Another tough part was the road we took to Charleston, which ended up being treacherous, as it was heavily trafficked, winding and hilly, and had almost no shoulder. South Carolina drivers also aren’t the kindest to cyclists.
Did you ever think of quitting?
Not really. 60 miles/day is more than manageable, and gives you plenty of time to take it slow if you need.
What do you wish you’d packed that you didn’t? What did you pack that you didn’t need?
I’d pack more rubber bands, as they ended up being endlessly helpful for camping and organizing our things on the road. I had packed a couple of warmer shirts that I didn’t end up needing, as it stayed hot throughout.
Would you recommend this route to others?
It depends. If you’re new to touring and particularly interested in exploring the south, it’s a great route because it mostly keeps to low-traffic back country roads and takes you through tiny towns, removed from commercial centers.
What did you do to celebrate the finish?
Bought a box of Fudgsicles. They started melting before I could finish them all, so I ended up offering some up to people at the Charleston train station.
Are you planning another trip?
I’d love to. This Adventure Cycling map is a terrific resource for identifying existing routes:https://www.adventurecycling.
I already have my eye on the west and midwest tours — there’s so much to see.
Thanks for sharing Lina! I don’t know about you, but I’m inspired!
