National Trails Day Ride
This Saturday's ride is is sponsored by our friend's at:
All rides start at 9:00 AM (or thereabouts)
from the Old Train Depot, 419 North Main Street in Trenton.
Trenton is about 25 miles West of Gainesville on SR 26.
A fun, open, very low-key ride on the smoothly paved Nature Coast State Trail for all levels of bicyclists, including children. Family ride groups are encouraged.
Ride options range from a few miles for beginning riders and families with small children, up to 64 miles for experienced cyclists who choose to ride the entire trail.
The old railroad bridge where the Trail crosses the Suwannee River near Old Town is a favorite option (about 12 miles from Trenton). The original machinery which made the bridge pivot to allow steamboats to pass can still be seen from the bank of the river below the trail. The rural landscape along the trail offers a peaceful atmosphere complete with live oaks and wildflowers.
Maps of the trail will be provided at the starting point in Trenton. There will be refreshments at the Depot and there are convenience stores along the trail. There is a Dairy Queen under the live oaks in Cross City. The ride is not otherwise supported.
For information, contact kirk.marhefka@dep.state.fl.us or 352-535-5181
Helmets are required for children under 16 and recommended for everyone. We were told that somewhere around 70 folks turned out for today's festivities. It was a clear, hot day with a
light breeze. The trailhead was manned by Kirk and Billy and there were plenty of refreshments, handouts, and general good cheer. Several of our recumbent friends, Jim, James, George, Lea, Bonnie, Lanny, Don, Mei, Dan (and more) from the Gainesville Cycling Club were on hand and got a bit of a head start on us as I pulled my trike from the car with a fresh flat on it, but we encountered them again near Chiefland and they shouted out their lunch plan.Gary took a brief test ride on my new Trice Q from ICE (Inspired Cycle Engineering) while Deanne and I enjoyed a rest in the shade. I am never quite sure what will cross my path next, but that's part of what makes it fun to travel a path. Today it turned out to be what the old timers around these parts used to call a Hoover Chicken.
Photos taken today are up in the gallery and we hope to see you next week in Fort White.
Thanks again, Kirk, Billy, and all the great folks at the Office of Greenways & Trails!
O\vo~
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