It still surprises me how quickly the miles tick past when good conversion, friends, and weather are combined with bicycles. Today was no exception when Lew, Sheila, Larry, Don, and Mei joined Deanne and me for a ride to the spring and back. Lew brought along his new acquisition, a Rans Stratus XP from Hampton's Edge Trailside Bicycles.
We had selected Little River Springs as our destination and started in Fort White on the western part of the O'Leno to Ichetucknee Trail. At the Ichetucknee River, this trail ends and you must cross the river on US 27 to then be able to mount the next trail known as the Suwannee River Greenway at Branford. Riding both these trails in the same outing, the rider cannot help noticing the sharp contrast between the first trail that has experienced absolutely no maint
enance since being built over a year ago and one that is regularly maintained. Sadly, the Branford trail is now having troubles with its foundation beyond what would be covered by its routine maintenance. There are some root-based eruptions in the surface in at least one location, but much worse, there are several areas of sinkhole-like activity where the asphalt has collapsed into dangerous holes in the trail. The kind of hole that could easily result in dropping a cyclist and/or damaging a wheel. Not that there is any evidence of it being more than a coincidence, but you should navigate this trail very carefully in the area immediately across the highway from the Suwannee American Cement plant as that is where most of the failed asphalt is concentrated. Once this trail tucks back into the shade and onto the railroad right-of-way approaching Branford, it is much more pleasant and the surface is again stable.
Ivey Memorial Park in Branford had almost no visitors at its cool Branford Spring, but we enjoyed pausing to have a look before riding on.
There lik
ely were more on their way, since it was only half passed ten when we arrived, but we found Little River Springs not crowded at all. Maybe half a dozen folks in the water as other cyclists and trucks arrived. It's usually at least a temptation, but today had already warmed enough that it was more of a requirement to jump in the refreshing spring. More of us did than didn't. By the way, that first mile or two after a dip in the spring is just perfect.
A real treat was inherent in the availability of chilled fruit. Not something normally found on a hot ride in the sun, but Sheila provided cool, fresh cherries at the spring and, like an oasis in the desert, Don and Mei served us iced watermelon on their tailgate at ride's end. Photos are in the gallery. My Goodness, that sure was a quick 38 miles!
Trail Condition: Rideable
Facilities: Nice at Little River Springs
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Baldwin trailhead affords us the distinction of not only copious parking and excellent facilities, but greatly reduced traffic on the final portion of the ride and only a few blocks drive to Everybody's Restaurant.
