Suwannee Greenway: Branford to Fort White

We did 27 miles on the Suwannee Greenway. We started at Branford next to the Suwannee River. The trail winds through a Gopher Tortoise Management Area in the woods, but then emerges to run beside US 27. It's pretty rough for that stretch; lots of potholes and tree-root bumps and piles of litter and trash. :>(( But after you cross the Ichetucknee River bridge at Three Rivers (the off road trail is interrupted here)it improves and is pretty once again.

We stopped outside of Fort White. We ended the trip back at Ivey Memorial Park next to the river in Branford, which is really gorgeous. The Suwannee flowing past, with a nice scenic spring feeding into it. All in all, it was a really good afternoon!

27 miles

235 miles ridden thus far!

Grandin to Keystone Heights

Began at Grandin, parking just off Rt 315 north of 100. Rode towards Keystone Heights. First part of the trail is mostly shady--to Twin Lakes Park where there are nice clean restrooms and water. The rest of the trail is equally shaded and sunny. There are a couple of pretty bridges which go over the land. Very rural. We met riders on the trail (Cheryl and Tom) who warned us not to stop at Putnam Hall. There are alot of businesses in Keystone Heights--Wendy's is right on the trail where we stopped for a quick bite (but no bicycle racks!) This is a rails-to-trails flat paved path. There are no mile markers along the way except for painted numbers on the pavement and no rest benches. This leg is 10 miles.

When we got back to Grandin, there was a just paved trail heading east which we rode on for about a mile. We had to stop when we came to construction equipment laying sod--but we understand it will open any day now!

Very pretty trail--would do it again.

21 miles today!
208 miles thus far!

Downtown Connector Trail - Gainesville

Not really sure where this trail starts vs Depot Avenue trail. Most of the trail is very pretty--but it runs along side tent city. Can't believe--these guys have real big tents all over the woods. It is a city. Anyway, the trail was nice a flat and through the woods. Part crosses Williston Road and there's a pretty bridge. It connects to the Hawthorne Trail at Boulware Springs.

Old Town over the Suwannee to Chiefland

Starting in Old Town we crossed the old Railroad trestle over the Suwannee, then on to Fanning Springs, and out to Chiefland. What a beautiful day for a ride. About 70 degrees--threatened rain at the end. This is one of our favorite trails. It's flat and runs through the trees. Towards the end there are alot of stop signs with street crossings.

4 Miles from Old Town to Fanning Springs
9 Miles from Fanning Springs to Chiefland

26 miles today
187 miles ridden thus far!

Marineland to Flagler

On New Year's Day 2012 started at the Marineland trailhead and headed south paralleling A1A. Most of the off road path is wide and along the road, but there are sections in Palm Coast which wind through the woods and is really pretty. There are alot of eating places along the way; several crossroads but not much traffic on them. Very flat and easy. Mostly in the sun. We stopped just before the Flagler City sign--11 m

iles from Marineland. This picture is at Sunset where we parked the car and started in Marineland.

Total miles thus far: 161!!

Christmas Eve on the Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail

We were afraid to park at Boulware Springs so drove a mile down to park at the LaChua trailhead at Mile 1 of the bikepath where the car would seem safer. Hilly and curvy to about Mile 3 at 60th Terrace (potential parking place). Flat and pretty to Hawthorne. In Hawthorne went about a 1/2 mile around the town and stopped at a convenience store for a drink and a frozen juice bar. Weren't too many people on the trail this day. Coming back between mile 2 1/2 to 2 I had to walk my bike up the curvey steep incline (now I must get a new bike!)

The trail is 15 miles and we started at mile 1, but added a mile in Hawthorne

139 miles ridden!