9th Annual Triathlon 9/8/2015

It’s hard to believe we have been doing the triathlon for 9 years and next year will be our tenth year and I will surely come up with something exciting for all of us to do. This year we had 19 Tuesday Groupers to participate in the 3 events we try and do each year. They are Biking 14 miles, Kayaking 4 miles and hiking 2 miles, I say try because on a few trips the wind was blowing so hard we had to cancel the 4 miles of Kayaking and do a short 100 yard dash right around the boat dock. The video tells the whole story if you ever get to see it you will see all the fun we had on that day. We had 8 to show for breakfast at the Hardess on Mt Pleasant Rd. although John O. was only eating and had to head back home for a Doctor’s appointment, on his bike, I don’t think that sounds like that he needs an appointment. Go John! We left the parking lot at 8:20 A.M. for the parking lot at Little Island City Park and was there by 9:00 A.M. along with the other 12 Tuesday Groupers. On this trip we had Margaret, Diane, Dottie, Jane, Kama, Phyllis, Faye, Buck, John F, Charlie, Mark, Ken, Tom, Brian, Bob M, Bill, J. P., Bob S and Bruce. This year I had to go to a difference person to get a permit for us to bike through Back Bay Wildlife Refuge with such a large number of bikes. Erica did real well for us, she gave me a pass and had one in the Fee Booth and they said “No Charge”. The lady in the Fee Booth knew all about our group and let all 19 of us pass through with no trouble.

We biked the 7 miles to Barbour Hill Boat Dock where we left our bikes and everyone picked out a kayak for the trip down to False Cape Landing Boat Dock, which is about 2 miles. The water was calm and it was not a bad paddle this year on the way down. At F.C.L.B.D. we climbed out of the boats and got ready for the hiking part of the trip. We hiked over to the beach and enjoyed the beautiful view that you have at the park. For as far as you can see North & South, there is nothing on the beach but sand, so beautiful. I had hid some plastic eggs out in the park and everyone had to find one so to win a prize. Of course everyone was not a winner but most were “that Life” better luck next time. On this day no one was a winner because I left all the prizes at my house, but I will give out all the great prizes to everyone at our next outing. After this we had our lunch there on the tables of campsite 7, 8, 9, and then it was back to the boats. Hiking back to the boat dock we found out the wind had picked up just a little, but it was coming out of the south/east and was not bad at all. The paddle back was breeze but faster with the added wind pushing us. At BHBD, we put away the kayaks and climbed onto our bikes and headed towards the Park Office for ice cream and a cold drink. Stopping here for about 20 minutes to take a break and use the restrooms we were soon off again. The ride back was also easer because of the added wind at our backs with just a sprinkle of rain, back at the parking lot everyone loaded their bikes and we all said our good buys and with 20 miles under our belts we all felt good. This was another great Triathlon and I hope we can have many more. Some drove home while other of us drove to Pungo Pizza & Ice Cream Parlor and met up with Carl, Peggy and Marian and had a nice meal and waited for the traffic to die down. Thanks to everyone for another great Tuesday Outing. Bruce

View Bill's pictures: https://picasaweb.google.com/117475145040031402609/TuesFalseCapeTriathlon194MilesSeptember102015Bruce?authkey=Gv1sRgCMWr0LGO3Nz1vwE&feat=email