River Road Ride

Our gracious host and ride captain, Bob Emmerich of the Central Florida Recumbent Riders, could scarcely have picked a better day for the River Road Ride. Traffic was practically non-existent, the water was like glass, the air was cool, the sky was clear. Simply put, "A perfect recipe!" Bob and Paul Jones arrived together with a pair of long wheelbase recumbent bikes and Phil Mix and Paul Giglio had two recumbent trikes stashed in their sedan. My solo appearance added the third trike and then we were five, alive, and ready to ride.

From our meeting place at Lee Wenner Park on the Indian River in downtown Cocoa we headed south on Riveredge Blvd which turns into Riverside Drive which then becomes called Rockledge Drive, toward Rockledge. Immaculately landscaped homes on the right, beautifully appointed river shore on the left, framing a stunning vista between the two were grand oaks, palm trees, and lush vegetation. The posted 25 mph speed limit on this narrow asphalt ribbon seemed automatically enforced by the surrounding beauty. You'd not want to travel faster for fear you might miss seeing something.

Even though I had spent many a day on this very road on my bicycle some 40 years before, I couldn't stop drinking in everything. It was even better than I had remembered it. We all were preoccupied with the panorama and almost missed our "you never know what might cross your path" event. Today's sighting was easily my most unusual to date, even though the swimmers were slightly off the path.

At the south end, Bob escorted us through a small, local neighborhood which served well as a cul de sac slinging us on our way northward, back to Cocoa. After a rest stop where we had begun, at Lee Wenner Park, we resumed our trek along the river's edge on what is called Indian River Drive toward Williams Point. Now the houses are on the left, boats, docks, and river on the right and for a great portion of this segment, there is even a sidewalk on the left side. There are a few more pronounced rises and falls to the northern part of the trip that give it a different feel. The VAB can be seen, looming in the distance at the Cape north of Merritt Island and this part of the trip extends well above Bennett Causeway.

My photos are posted in the gallery and I'll add links to this post later as the other riders post their take on things.

Total of 29 peaceful miles.


Man's Gotta Have a Dream from Bob Emmerich on Vimeo.


O\vo~

Nature Coast State Trail

It wasn't until the trees had been removed that we were able to see just how close they had been to the lower phase of the transmission line. Nonetheless it was sad to see them completely removed instead of somehow trimmed or thinned. The experience has been severely altered by the clearing and has a much less than subtle feeling of exposure accented by increased road noise from the now visible highway.

Today's ride was one where we enjoyed a brief visit and were glad to see each other, but we were quite simply chased off by a thunderstorm out of the Gulf which met us head on just as we passed through Wilcox. We had been lulled into a feeling that we might just be passed over by the front and thought we could at least ride back to the start as safely as we had come. Rather it was upon us and all at once was also where we had been.

Though we returned a bit drippy and loaded up in the rain after too short a ride, we agreed it was still better than not meeting or not riding. There are a few photos up in the gallery, if you would like a preview of the new "landscape," post trauma.

O\vo~

The Villages

A great ride! The day was saved by Bob Emmerich, who thankfully did not erase all his photos. Thanks for all your trouble, Bob! Thanks for organizing the ride, Phil!


The Villages Ride - Loop 1 from Bob Emmerich on Vimeo.

Enjoy

O\vo~

Seminole-Wekiva Trail

We almost filled the parking lot at the Sylvan Lake Trailhead on Markham Woods Road as a cool, crisp morning with a light northerly breeze made for a perfect day to ride. Deanne, Sheila, Myhra, Bonnie, Larry, Rick, Lanny, Phil, and Paul had all arrived right on time and we assembled our gear and set out to ride south with three diamond frame bicycles, one recumbent bicycle, and five tricycles, one of which was a tandem.

The Seminole-Wekiva Trail was respectably busy with cyclists, hikers, skaters, dogs, horseback riders, rowers, and onlookers, though never really presented a feeling of being "crowded". In fact, we couldn't help noticing how courteous and friendly other trail users were as we paraded our way along, visiting and sightseeing.

We chose the connector over I-4 on our way down to pay a visit to the Rinehart Road Trail. Since my last visit, the new bridge over Lake Mary Boulevard had been completed, so I was anxious to experience the improved safety of making that crossing. There is also a tunnel under Greenwood Boulevard, a little further south, which added more interest to this otherwise suburban segment.

Crossing back over the Interstate, we turned south and again crossed Lake Mary Boulevard where the trail takes on a much more rural feel and winks in and out of shady tunnels, winding its way through older residential areas with lush landscaping and alongside parks. The scenery is just as varied as it can be, changing from full exposure in the sun across a fence from I-4 to a quiet, dark passage beneath live oaks surrounded by giant, elephant ear plants and squirrels, in just minutes.

By the time we made our way back to Heathrow & Lake Mary, it was past time for lunch so we were quite ready to place our order at the trailside Panera Bread location and enjoyed another opportunity to visit, sharing the same table for lunch. Just a few short miles remained to get back to the start, but first came the surprise of chancing upon a pair of unafraid, sand hill cranes at literally arm's length distance from the trail.

The quote for the day was called out by a retired pilot as he and his wife pedaled by wearing huge grins, "Yeah," he said, "I really feel bad for people who aren't us!"

While there are a few grades along the way, this trail doesn't qualify as hilly at all. The crossings are well marked and equipped with responsive traffic signal request buttons, resting areas with benches were a common sight, and facilities were conveniently located and well maintained.

To see photos from today's ride, click on the Photo Gallery link on the right.

O\vo~

Georgia's Jewel

As very good fortune, indeed, would have it, the first cool spell in many months arrived on the same morning that we found ourselves camped out on the Georgia coast in Crooked River State Park. A short drive later and we were ready to launch on one seriously beautiful trails ride around Georgia's Jekyll Island. The causeway approach to the island, carpeted on both sides with fabulous wildflower stands that seemed endless, let you know that you were nearing something very special and the view from atop the last bridge onto the island revealed the magical crowns of very old timber.

The fact that it is an island, inherently eliminates through traffic, but there seemed to be additional factors at play that affected the general feel of what little traffic there was. The entire island moves at a slower pace and vehicle operators of all types exhibit more courtesy toward one another. Riding on trails designed and designated for cycling is nice enough, but add to that formula laws that impose serious, finite limitations on development and the result is purely delightful. This place is quite the jewel!

Even though we had set aside only a few hours for the experience, it was amazing to see how many completely different riding surfaces and settings could be enjoyed in the 20 mile trip around the island. Everything from smooth asphalt to concrete to crushed stone to coquina to dirt, not to mention wooden bridges and gnarley roots could be ridden upon while viewing sea oats, sand dunes, the Atlantic, windblown scrub oaks, palmetto, salt marshes, residential areas, historic structures beneath magnificent live oaks. Birds were everywhere and the Monarch butterfly was approaching pest status. Restaurants, restrooms, shops, hotels, and camping were all easy to find.

Simply put, this one calls for another visit on the schedule, soon!

O\vo~

Nature Coast - beneath the raindrops

OK. So you were right about staying home. Today was not the best choice for riding weather. I braved it anyway and got along fairly well until just before arriving in Fanning Springs. It began to be apparent then that the rest of the trip was going to be damp. Of course, it wasn't cold, but I can assure you it was also not dry. It rained all the way to Chiefland and sprinkled most of the way back. And yet, just when I thought I had the trail all to myself, I actually did overtake another lone rider making his way north out of Chiefland.

The wildflowers, quiet, and comfortable temperature easily made the trip worthwhile, even with the occasional thought of the unavoidable payback... the cleanup. Just like with a horse, getting put up wet is not the best plan of action. So, one of the things to do indoors, when it is not so nice outdoors, is clean, dry, and lube the machine.

I can always count on the staff of the Office of Greenways and Trails. The trail, apart from being quite wet, was in its usual state of excellent repair and the facilities, available at both ends of my trip, were clean, equipped, and accessible.

And so goes another fine day on three wheels.

October - Florida Greenways & Trails Month

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Office of Greenways and Trails (OGT) is promoting October, 2007 as Florida Greenways & Trails month. Now in its eighth year, this program is designed to focus attention on the conservation and recreation resources of Florida’s greenways and trails, involve Floridians in creating and using these great natural resources, and encourage partnerships that support our mission to create a statewide system of greenways and trails.

Their goal (OGT) is to have each county in Florida host at least one Greenways & Trails Month event during October. Festivities may include dedications or openings, educational exhibits or workshops, trail rides or races, trail blazing, clean-ups or any activities connected to greenways and trails. If your community or organization would like to sponsor or coordinate an event, OGT will post the activities on its website where you can find registration forms.

For additional information, contact Kirk.Marhefka@dep.state.fl.us.