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The year was 2006, I had just turned 51 years old and that mid-life stuff was beginning to talking to me about what I have accomplished so far in life. I had a great wife, two outstanding kids and a successful business but, I needed a physical challenge. So, I signed up for the Bridge to Bridge century ride to the top of Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina.

I had a little harder time getting Pam on board with this ride but, she was my only support team member and I needed her. So I bribed her with a 3 night stay at the Richmond Hill Inn in Ashville. It took me almost 8 hours to finish so Pam earned her reward.

Me coming back through Lenore after completing roughly the first 45 miles.

The ride was in September and I had already been riding a lot in 2006 and I had all summer to get physically ready so I wasn’t too worried. This was the 18th running of this ride and it was well supported by the town business owners and volunteers. It was 6AM and dark outside when we started and first 45 miles were amazing. People lined the streets and were in their yards and driveways all cheering us on. For a brief moment I thought I was in France competing in the Tour de France. My legs felt strong and the energy from the cheering spectators gave me a strength I didn’t know I had. The terrain for the first 45 miles was easy, just some rolling hills. But, as you can see from the map below the ride was about to change drastically.

Elevation for gains for the Bridge to Bridge Century ride – 2006.

It was at about mile 60 was when I realized that I was way under prepared for this event – but, I’m not a quitter so I pressed on. When I got to rest / aid stop number 6 at the 11 miles to the Blue Parkway sign I stopped for a break and processed to get 3 cramps in each leg. They were so severe I couldn’t get back on my bike. At that point I decided if I saw Pam and our car I was going to call it quits. Several other people were getting picked up at that rest stop and I was in a lot of pain.

View from the car of the last little bit to the top of Grandfather Mountain.

I never was able to see or phone Pam so, I walked my bike until I worked out the cramps, then got back on pressed forward. I had to be careful because I could feel the cramps in the background and I didn’t want another full blown episode. The 25 miles from the 70 to 95 mark where incredibly beautiful. There where mountains, creeks, cliffs, and ravines and a lot of the trees were starting to turn color.

Picture of me proudly walking the last 1/4 of a mile – it was beyond steep.

I remember one of the volunteers at a rest stop looking up my name, which also lists the riders age, by my event number hanging from my bike. He said to me; “Bruce, you’re 51 years old – what in the world are you doing out here!”

This was a physical challenge I needed to prove to myself I could do – and did! I completed the whole 100 miles of Pure Hill. Pam was there waiting for me at the top. After finishing I loaded the bike on the car and we headed for Asheville. I was able to take a shower and get a little nap in before we event to a fabulous wine tasting dinner at Gabriel’s

Situated on the north end of the heavily developed Jekyll Island off Beachview Drive sits the Jekyll Island campground. The campsites are all nestled under huge, old live oak trees creating a shady almost mystical environment. The individual sites are fairly close together but that didn’t matter – everyone was so respectful I didn’t even notice my neighbors. The main roads around the campsites were paved and the others were hard packed dirt and gravel.

Entrance and check-in booth to Jekyll Island Campground

Check-in time is 2 PM and I was greeted by Harry and Barb, the hosts till April. Barb handled the paperwork and other details while Harry escorted us to our site in his golf cart. Setup was easy and the utilities were easy to access. Most of the sites were fairly level and I didn’t see any sites I wouldn’t want to stay in.

Beautiful big live oaks and Spanish moss shade the whole campsite.

The campground is located on the opposite end to the island from where the large conference center, hotels, shopping and restaurants are so it was quiet. There are 179 campsites – 167 with full hook-ups and 12 primitive sites. But plan to make your reservations early because this is a very popular campground and fills up fast – especially in the winter. The sites come with 30 and 50 amp electrical service as well as water, sewer and TV hook-ups. Each campsite also has a very sturdy picnic table. The whole campground is pet friendly and has 2 very clean bath houses with toilets and hot showers. There is also a general store on site for personal items, propane and firewood and an onsite laundry mat.

Biking – Jekyll Island has many beautiful miles of dedicated biking and walking trails. These trails run along the beaches, through the marshes, wooded areas and the historic district. No worries if you forgot your bikes because the campground offers bike rentals.

Pam, Karen and Bruce on a bike ride around the island – thanks Barry for taking this photo

Driftwood Beach – is just a short walk from the campground. There is a walking entrance in the back of the campground that leads you down a short dirt road to the main road which is just a few yards to the entrance to driftwood beach.