Day 14: June 15th, Orlando Lightning

Had a great night’s sleep!  Told Buzz that the mattress felt like the one I have at home, so we turned it over and, sonuvagun, it was the same!  Sealy posturepedic!

Anne Marie, Buzz and I had a fun conversation during breakfast while the last of the laundry finished up and then I packed the bags, loaded the bike, got a goodbye hug from Anne Marie and then Buzz escorted me onto the Turnpike to make sure I was heading the right way…..I think he wanted to make sure I get outa FL for sure!

The ride was going pretty good but about 10 miles southeast of Orlando I could see the dark clouds building up so I pulled into a Turnpike Service Area to tank up and to evaluate. 

After refueling it seemed that the clouds were not going to be in my path so I jumped on the bike and headed down the service road towards the on ramp.  Looking ahead I could see traffic and suddenly they disappeared into a wall of rain!  I quickly did a U turn onto the Truck access road (one way but no trucks were coming) and scooted back under the station’s overhead. 

Just as I got under the overhead a flash of lightening cracked and thundered all at the same time!  Wow!  This cell is close to the ground!  Two ladies screamed….so what the hell, I screamed too…it scared the kwap outta me for sure!

The cell just stayed over the area with constant lightening flashing all around.  Even motorists were pulling in and hunkering down waiting it out.  Finally, after about an hour, the cells moved on but the rain continued.  I needed to get going so I suited up and headed into the downpour.  About 10 miles later, in the middle of Orlando, the rain lightened up to a drizzle.  A few miles east of I-75 the FL Sun was once again shining upon me as I headed for GA. 

But the “no riding time” spent waiting for the lightning to pass cost me some distance and I had to call it a night in Lake City FL after only 348 miles!  I’m not happy about this….my goal to finish the True X in 18 days (equal to my Four Corners Ride last year) is not going to happen.  Now I am concerned to make the True X ride in 21 days or less!

It’s gonna be close!

C ya mañana,
Gonzo
Twitter: @GonzoCrossUSA
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