The Villages IV - a.k.a. Phil's Mixer

Thanks for organizing the ride, Phil! Phil Mix managed to schedule the most delightful Spring day January has seen in quite some time. Over two dozen cyclists staged a recumbent parade through The Villages on this bright Saturday morning.



Here are some early still releases from our videographer, Bob Emmerich.

And here are some others from Mary Hayhurst.


Villages IV - 1/24/09 from Bob Emmerich on Vimeo.

Our lunch shot was deftly snapped by the ever capable Dogget of The LightHouse.

What a pleasure it was to ride with you all; Phil, Jim, Bob, Lew, Dan, Jerry, Mary, Mac, David, Terry, Linda, Mel, Paul, Dean, Richard, Lanny, Bonnie, Johanne, Frank, Denise, Joe, Paul, Mike, Al, and Paul.


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Withlacoochee State Trail

One of the most beautiful days this year was ours to enjoy this morning, with severe clear skies and fresh, dry air that was a delight to breathe. The north end of the Withlacoochee State Trail is surrounded by a bird sanctuary and many of its inhabitants were busily flitting about as we unloaded our bikes.

I had somehow managed to forget just how peaceful this section of the trail can be. The trail and its facilities are so remarkably well maintained as to be a startling comparison to my usual routine.

A relatively small group of three of us met several cyclists and walkers enjoying the day as we rode down to Hernando and paused at the boat ramp before resuming our ride to the destination of a trail-side park in Inverness. Lunch was enjoyed with a steady easterly breeze off Lake Henderson as children played with Frisbees and each other.

Some of that breeze served as an assist to our return trek north, or we got stronger. I think it was the wind. Without being certain, I am fairly sure it was a completely cloudless outing; filled with smiles.

A larger version of the photos can be seen in the photo gallery.

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West Orange Trail

Due to the forecast of a an east wind, we switched our starting point to the west end and met up at Killarney or the County Line Station. Carol, Shelton, Sheila, Larry, Deanne, Phil and I stood around trying to predict how best to dress for the upstream segment. The morning sun would warm us up for a minute, then a cloud would allow the wind to make its case. Finally, we just headed into it, and as is usually the case everything seemed to work out. As strong as it was at times, we could always look forward to its helpful hand on the return trip.


It was encouraging to see so many others out on the trail, getting some exercise, cycling, walking, skating, running, and even horseback riding.

We took in the rest stop afforded by Chapin Station briefly, both going and coming, and made the Apopka-Vineland Station serve as our turn-around point. Once we did turn around, we all suddenly became exceptional athletes!

Phil had ridden the same trail yesterday and suggested a restaurant that certainly turned out to be a winner. After filling up in Winter Garden, there were no hungry souls at the ride's end. A very pleasant way, indeed, to start off the new year.

A larger version of the photos can be seen in the photo gallery.

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O'Leno to Ichetucknee Trail

Just another awful day in paradise as there seems to be no stopping the record-matching warm weather we are having for the holidays. After the fog burned off, Mark and Sandra joined me in Fort White and we plied our way up breeze to O'Leno State Park.

No rushing involved, it was a completely perfect, light weight ride to help maintain that balance of calories that seems to lean somewhat at this time of year. The park was quiet and beautiful, as usual, and as we turned around, the gentle breeze had kicked up a little to help push us back into Fort White. A very pleasant 19 miles were logged over several smiles and tales.

Click the photo for more pictures.

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Hawthorne Trail

A wonderful wildlife wake-up call was in store for us today. Starting with a bunny dashing across the trail in front of us and ending with a rafter of young turkeys milling about on the trail as their mother and aunts watched carefully, we managed to make the circuit without actual rainfall, though the humidity was very near 100%.

Sandra spotted a pair of Sand Hill cranes. We also saw several snakes and Deanne spied three young armadillos out and about.

Lots of cyclists were out to enjoy the day and the trail was in its usual excellent condition. One in particular, .

There is always something unexpected to enjoy on this beautiful trail!

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O'Leno to Ichetucknee Trail

Starting at eight o'clock turned out to be wise as it was not yet hot and we were able to ride longer before giving up for the day. Fort White was still peaceful as today's turnout of tubers was still on its way and the area was still freshly rinsed from yesterday evening's thunder shower.

In fact, if anything had gathered in throngs on the trail today it was grasshoppers and it rather quickly became apparent that yawning or singing should be undertaken only if one was seeking to acquire additional protein!

Lew Sussman joined Sandra and me today on an easy, relaxed covering of the entire O'Leno to Ichetucknee Trail and the eastern most five miles of the Suwannee River Greenway at Branford. Though we did stop a couple times to sweep some "redneck shrapnel" off the trail, it was largely in good shape with no major debris deposits.

"Good to see you back out on the trail, Lew!"



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Nature Coast Trail

The Office of Greenways & Trails representatives on hand in Trenton today said we had the best turnout so far as 95 people participated in the National Trails Day Bike Ride on the Nature Coast Trail. Folks drove from as far away as Miami and West Palm Beach to attend the event.

Our group chose Chiefland as our destination as soon as we learned that today was coincidentally their annual Watermelon Festival. If there is one thing that is particularly difficult to turn down on a hot, sunny day, it would be free, cold watermelon and the bustling little town served it up right.



Mark and his son Jason drove up from Citrus Springs, Phil from Okahumpka, Sandra, Don and Mei from our local area and we ran into George & Lea Edwards, Chandler Otis, Dian Demetri from the Gainesville Cycling Club. It was great seeing so many folks enjoying being outdoors on such a fine day.

As usual, we owe a very large "Thank You" to the folks of the Office of Greenways & Trails for their tireless efforts at keeping this beautiful trail in such fine condition and for putting on the event. Oh, and "Thank You, Chiefland" for the delicious watermelon.



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