Fanning Springs to Chiefland and Sturgeon

May 5, 2012 Started in Fanning Springs and rode to the end in Chiefland. I had to test out all the bicycle presents Jeremy & Randy gave me for my birthday! Loved my odometer! The trail is nice and flat--but oh it was hot! The trail is mostly sunny; but there is alot of mottled shade as well (50/50) Now that summer is here and it's in the 90's we need to either ride very early in the morning or late afternoon. We rewarded ourselves with ice cream at the Yum Yum Shoppe in Chiefland! That round trip was only 18 miles so we rode on to the Suwannee River Bridge where we sat for quite a while watching the sturgeon jumping out of the water! That was cool! 24.5 miles today 409.5 miles thus far!

Palatka/Lake Butler Trail

April 8, 2012 Started in Keystone Heights, to Grandin, and on towards Palatka. We thought there was a mile gap in the paved trail. So when we hit the Etonia Forest, we continued through the pinestraw, grass, and gravel. It was really tough going! After going quite a ways we decided to turn back. Good thing! When we got back we drove and found that the entrance to the forest was the end of the paved trail! I guess one day it will go through. It's a pretty trail and nice and flat. There were lots of gopher tortoise holes and you could often see one with its head sticking out! Turns out we did a three mile round trip within the forest. 33 miles today

385 Miles thus far!

Wildflowers, Leaves & Rain - Nature Coast Trail

Went back to the Nature Coast Trail, starting in Fanning Springs, riding to Cheifland. A very stormy looking sky! However, we've learned in Florida to go ahead and do things because it may or may not rain where you are. We had a nice, fast ride to Chiefland. There were beautiful wildflowers along the trail, especially approaching Chiefland. There were also falling leaves from the oaks everywhere lining the trail and coming down like snow. We completed the round trip, 18 miles, and wanted to go a few more. So we started toward Old Town, and got to the Suwannee trestle bridge. It started sprinking so we turned around to go back at a very rapid pace. Randy was running short of breath so we stopped 2 1/2 miles from the end at a covered bench. As we waited, the rain only got harder and harder. After about 20 minutes it let up a little so on we went. We never rode so hard! It was cold! It was pouring on us and it was very hard to see. We finally made it back to the car and.....of course...the rain stopped!! All the trails we've ridden on thus far have had nice clean bathrooms. However, the facility at Chiefland was NOT!

24 Miles today
352 miles thus far

Withlacoochee State Trail - Southern Third

The final leg of the 46 mile Withlacoochee State Trail! We didn't know that there was parking at the very southern end at US301. We drove to Ridge Manor where there are rest rooms, a drinking fountain, picnic tables and ample parking. From there we went 6 miles south to the end at US301. Then up north again past Ridge Manor and on to Lake Townsend for a 31 mile round trip!
A hot 85 degree day--but oh so windy! There were times I had to stand up to pedal against a very strong head wind--alot of effort expended! The trail is very flat and nice. Very rural and mostly sunny. We saw a gopher tortoise, raccoon, and sandhill crane. This section probably had the least crossroads of any of the trails thus far. We didn't see restaurants nearby the trail, so when we were finished we drove from Ridge Manor 10 miles south on US301 and had a wonderful dinner of cuban marinated pork, yellow rice, black beans and plantains at Matter of Taste in Dade City--a very nice place, especially upstairs, in a pretty small city.

31 Miles today!
328 miles thus far.

Withlacoochee State Trail - Middle part

This time we began in Inverness and rode 15 miles south. Almost didn't go with the predicted rain; but in Florida you just have to take a chance--and it was a beautiful day. This part of the trail has more inclines (albeit slight) going south; so the road home is easier. In the beginning (first 3 miles) it's mostly in the sun; thereafter a mix. More people on this trail than we've seen anywhere thus far. But there are few crossroads and pretty rural Florida. About 7 miles from Inverness is Ferris Groves where you can buy wonderful fresh produce--this time of year they had citrus, strawberries and tomatoes. But for a biker, the fresh squeezed orange juice really hits the spot. This part of the trail goes by Lake Townsend park which has nice bathrooms, a playground, picnic tables and shelters, and a volley ball court. There are lots of places to stop along this trail especially in Floral City.

30 miles today
297 miles ridden thus far!!

Withlacoochee State Trail

This is the longest paved bicyle trail in Florida; 46 miles. This was my favorite!! About 50 miles southwest of Gainesville the trail begins just south of Dunnellon. The trailhead is new with nice rest rooms and parking. The first 5 miles of the trail are in the open sun. Most of the trail is in the woods but you can hear the traffic (not too loud) on Rt. 41 which it parrallels. Mile markings are clear on the pavement. All of the trail goes through what seems to be nice, safe areas. There are some road crossings but not excessive--long stretches with none. I loved it when it passed the "bottle tree forest of colors"! And a giant pink elephant. But my favorite was when it passed over Lake Apopka--it was beautiful--benches and a gazebo; lots of bikers sitting and reading. We went as far as Inverness where there was a beautiful park on the lake.

Inverness was 16 miles from the start.
Miles today 32
267 miles ridden thus far!

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!