Day 1 - Sunday May 7

Today's Ride begins in Fort Clinch State Park Campground, Fernandina Beach, FL. This is as close as we can get to the Georgia/Florida state line without paddling half-way across the Saint Marys River. Today's distance is a short 35 miles. It'll give us a chance to reacquaint our butts and thighs to the joys of bicycle touring and to see if my hernia will hold.  We have the St. Johns River Ferry to cross at mile 26.  The St. Johns River Ferry is a car and passenger ferry that connects the north and south ends of Florida State Road A1A in Duval County, linking Mayport Village and Fort George Island via a pleasant sail across the St. Johns River. The 0.9 mile voyage crosses the St. Johns River 2.5 miles inland of the river’s mouth and departs every half hour. Mayport, Florida is the site of Mayport Naval Station. NS Mayport has grown to become the third-largest naval surface fleet concentration area in the United States. As we leave Mayport, A1A will skirt the end of the base's runway. We will pass through Atlantic Beach at mile 32, Neptune Beach at mile 34 and spend the night in Jacksonville Beach at mile 35.3. Plans are to stay beach side at the Best Western, 305 1st St N, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250 - (904) 249-4949. Plenty of restaurants and bars (juice) within walking distance.