Nature Coast Trail

Getting real close to being too hot to ride, we complained, as we tried to decide just how far to ride this morning. We met up in Trenton and mustered our intentions just enough to get rolling and feel the cool breeze of evaporation settle over us. Later it seemed that we might have actually been pedaling into a slight headwind, as it assisted us on our return trip.

We rode out across the Suwannee River before meeting other riders going the opposite direction. The surprising thing was that the majority of them were also recumbent riders.



Once we ran out of the shade things really began to warm up and stopping did not seem to help much. Having other plans for later in the day, our group reached a split decision, Mark, Don, and Mei turned back and Sandra and I continued on to Cross City. We encoutered a couple on horseback coming into Cross City alongside the trail as we turned around and made for our rest stop at the Dairy Queen. The Brownie Batter Blizzard had to be consumed outside because the air conditioning in the DQ was simply too big a contrast to our exercise environment.

Photos are in the Gallery and the map of the ride is on the Trails Guide.

40 miles and smiles
O\vo~

Jacksonville-Baldwin Trail

Almost as much fun as riding a trail is sharing one with someone who's not yet seen it. Don and Mei joined us in Baldwin for their first trip on this particular trail and Deanne and I enjoyed showing them around. First, we took in the two miles to the west end and then turned about to head toward Jacksonville.

The first day in quite some time with a reduced chance of rain seemed to really bring folks out. There were riders of all types cruising along in both directions, about the busiest I remember ever seeing it. At one point Mei and I chased up to a pace line that had just passed us and hung on to the back for a mile or so, surprising the head first riders somewhat.



Apparently due to all the rain we have been having, there is some fairly serious erosion of the trail surface edges in a few places, but evidence suggests maintenance crews have the situation well under control. Otherwise the overall condition of the trail was excellent, as usual.

We took in a visit to the park about midway where the Harvey House and all the carefully planted oak trees are, including a roll along the boardwalk through the piney woods. This is all back behind the trailside restroom facilities. There was the hint of an isolated shower looming as we turned around at the Jacksonville trailhead and some sprinkles followed us downwind back to Baldwin.

No trip to Baldwin is complete without a stop at Everybody's Restaurant, so we stopped in to find it was "Chicken Day!" The special on Saturdays is their terrific fried chicken. And it "...is served with not one, not two, but three sides of your choosing for only $7.10!", we overheard the ever-engaging waitress announce to a neighboring table.

Photos are in the Gallery and the map of the ride is on the Trails Guide.

32 miles and smiles
O\vo~

Lake Beresford Park

While visiting our friends in New Smyrna Beach for Independence Day, they invited us to join them for a ride to Blue Spring State Park. That seemed like the perfect thing to do in the summer heat, take a dip in a cool spring. Tucked away, almost secretively, near Deland we went to Lake Beresford Park.



There is a 1.8 mile, paved trail encircling the park which connects via a tunnel under the railroad, to another paved trail leading down to Blue Spring, about 3.4 miles. So, granted this makes a short trail ride, but does it ever make up for that in beauty?! This is a fantastically natural trail, neat and clean, and well just plain pretty! With the lake nearby, there is no surprise in seeing and hearing many birds, but one of our riders actually got to see a piney woods rooter (young wild pig) rustling through the underbrush.

The trail offers lots of shade, curves, short climbs up and down easy hills, and great Florida wooded scenery with the optional swimming stop at the south end for a mid-ride cool off. Somewhat off the beaten path (always gets my vote), this little gem is worth the trouble to visit and is accompanied by copious free parking and perfectly maintained restroom facilities.

Photos are in the Gallery and the map of the ride is on the Trails Guide.

10 miles but many more smiles
O\vo~

The Legacy Trail

I don't know when I've said "Good Morning" more often! Even though there was actually a heat advisory in effect for the area, Deanne and I were amazed at the number of people we encountered on this relatively new recreational resource in Sarasota. The Legacy Trail has been in place just over a year now but it seemed lots of folks know about it. It can be a little tricky to find for the unfamiliar because you really can't see it from the parking at listed trail heads, which are local parks. The trail experience itself is enhanced by that fact though since you aren't riding past parking lots and other infrastructure, instead you are riding through rural Florida and part of it is Oscar Scherer State Park.

It was here that the Friends of The Legacy Trail had set up a tent with T shirts, brochures, ice cold water, snacks and a very friendly presence. We learned that the bridge reconstruction, converting the railroad bridge into a trail bridge, is scheduled to be completed by November of 2011. There are two spans to be converted crossing Shakett Creek and Curry Creek on into Venice.



Our route included about a mile and a half ride from Potter Park along Central Sarasota Parkway, then north on the trail to a cul de sac head-on with old the old rails. From here we rode south to our surprise oasis sponsored by the Friends of The Legacy Trail, then on to the south end, currently at Shakett Creek. There was signage and information available about a road-based detour that would take us to the parts of the trail south of the missing spans, but that additional effort didn't fit well with the record temperature on hand. We decided to save that for our next visit, when there might be a new bridge in place.

Photos are in the Gallery and the map of the ride is on the Trails Guide.

21 miles and smiles
O\vo~

Nature Coast Trail - National Trails Day/Watermelon Festival

This was our lucky day! Even though the forecast called for a rain chance of 80% and it had sprinkled on the windshield as we arrived in Trenton, it never did actually break out and rain on us. In fact it even stayed comfortably cool throughout the ride.

The Office of Greenways and Trails had their celebration setup on the platform at the Trenton Trail Head with their welcome giveaways of cold drinks, fruit, snacks, pamphlets, bags, water bottles, and even helmets. This outstanding crew had, as usual, already made sure the trail was in perfect condition.



Dennis & Joanie made the trip down from Madison, Mac & Win came up from the Tampa area, Mark was on hand from Citrus Springs, Bill & Amber represented Archer, and joined up with us locals, Don & Mei, David, Deanne and me to make a dozen for the Feet First ride. We were followed by a group from the Yellow Bellied Sliders Bicycle Society from High Springs.

An easy paced, pleasant cruise west to Fanning Springs, where we visited the Fort Fanning Park provided our first stop. Then we decided that the weather radar was shining on us and that we had a chance to make it to Chiefland for their Watermelon Festival without running into rain.

The little town was brimming with visitors and watermelon. An antique steam engine was exploding in quite a loud display as we arrived. While we enjoying the watermelon, we looked on as children were having camel rides in the square. Walking by vendors booths there were many inquiries as to "how do you ride those things?" and lots of strange looks. Meanwhile, an auctioneer barked off a sale over the loudspeaker. This crowd seemed to be even larger than last year's (no weather problems here!)

Not surprisingly, the return trip seemed just a little longer than anticipation had rendered the first half, but with just a few sprinkles to report, we really lucked out on stealing this one from the rain. What had looked like it would be a cancellation turned into a very nice time. Why, we even had a flat tire which was overcome by a quick tube replacement, a few shared stories, and a nice break.

Photos are in the Gallery.

37 miles and (probably more) smiles
O\vo~

Secret Spaces and Historic Places

This month's ride with the Yellow Belly Sliders High Springs Bicycle Society was built around visiting various points of interest around High Springs. Tom Hewlett, Senior Slider, explained the route and handed out maps with great detail. Then we split up into two groups, the "Sonics" and the "Toodlers."

While the Toodlers were being transported to a pair of points of interest, the Sonics pedaled hard to meet up at the same time. Our first stop was a carefully planned, very special visit to Crockett Springs (now privately owned) which was one of the first white settlements in this area. We were escorted and informed as we toured this historic site, actually named for Davey Crockett who rested here.



As the Toodlers were whisked away again, the Sonics settled back in to the traveling at hand as we made our way passed another early settlement known as Traxler and moved on to our planned visit at Larry Behnke's place near the phosphate mine. The way his property has been cultivated leaves you with a feeling of having visited a magical place. It is very peaceful and scenic and I am sure the best way to convince an overheated cyclist of the magic would be to offer them a swim in the Floridan Aquifer. Well, he did, so we did and it WAS perfect.

Keeping true to all the facets of magic, there was the obligatory discussion of the creature sighting that had become somewhat of a legend at Larry's since it was unable to be fully explained by the divers involved. As two of our group were enjoying their dip and Larry was relating the story, I couldn't help but notice a curious disturbance of the surface. Hmmmm...

A few short miles had us back in High Springs, again being carefully guided by well placed YBS routing signs, but there was more to come. We were sent along the old railroad road to the remains of the original "Round House" and then on out the banks of the Santa Fe River to see just how many yellow bellied sliders we could count.

A looming thunderstorm approaching from the south chased us back into town to load up and retire to the Hewlett's abode for refreshments, prizes, pizza and general revelry.

I've put my photos up in the Gallery. Please enjoy.

23 miles & smiles
O\vo~

Withlacoochee State Trail - Day 3

Again, we began milling about the parking lot at the Central Motel this morning for those that wanted one more ride before beginning long drives back home. The group began fragmenting as some riders went on ahead while others finished breakfast.
Then we were off for various points north.

Another completely perfect day was ours, just cool enough to be refreshing, with a light breeze. Photos are up in the gallery.



Everyone adjusted their ride distance and time according to their own travel plans and we said our good byes along the way. Tough to see all this fun come to an end, but we have to begin making plans for the next one. Thanks again, Phil, Bob, and José, for a very memorable weekend!

26 miles, parting hugs and smiles
O\vo~