First time at the Baldwin Trail (Jacksonville)

[AshtonEMT]

I went out there today for the first time. I'm surprised at how tired I am; I'm not beat, but I could definitely take a nap about now. It was nice to know that you weren't going to get run over; that aspect alone made the ride a little more enjoyable. I think I'm into this cycling thing. Are there any places similar to this in town? I never knew this place existed until last week.

[chewybrian]

I don't know about other places in Jax, but you can check this site for other trails in nearby cities.

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/gwt/guide/regions/north/north.htm

Jax-Balwin is a great trail. So is Gainsville-Hawthorne. They are all worth a visit.

Check out Hanna Park in Jax if you want to go off road--what a great park for bikers! They have miles of trails inside the park, from gavel roads to high-skill level single tracks. You can rent a cabin for $40 a night, rent a boat for the lake, go to the ocean, go mountain biking, and never leave the park. Enjoy.

[AshtonEMT]

I've spent tons of time at Hanna Park; it's deifinitely an awesome place to ride a MTB. I've heard nice things about the Hawthorne Trail; that'll be the next one I check out. I was hoping there was something else similar to the Baldwin Trail a little closer than Gainesville. Thanks brother.

[fluke]

Oooo. I used to live in Jacksonville, FL. :) I moved here to Kentucky last summer. For a nice quiet place to be check out HANNA PARK in Mayport area (at the intersection that goes to base - Mayport road and Wonderwood, you'll see a sign for Hanna Park going down the road. Fee to get in is very low and the area is beautiful.


EDIT TO ADD: lol I guess I should type a little faster. Hanna Park truly IS a nice place. :)

[jaxgtr]

They are suppose to be building another one from Big Talbot Island to Fernandina Island sometime in the future, but will probably take 10 years years. The JTB trail is a nice 29 mile route. What makes it nice is that you can ride it 4 times and do a century for the most part without having to worry about cars and there are benches all along if you need a rest. The trees are really nice to help keep you cool when the heat and sun are really on. The only issue really is water although they do have a couple of place along the trail about 6 miles and 12 from the east trail head that I believe have water, although I've never stopped at either to check. If I do a second run, I usually bring water with me to refill my bottles. Just make sure you don't get stuck out there at night, issues with kids and vandalism to cars has been a problem in the past. If you want to meet up out there sometime, PM me and will get together.

Another good point is that you can use it as a staging ground to do some longish rides to the Okefenokee swamp that is about a 102 mile round trip. There are quite a few maps at the North Florida Bicycle Club that use the trail as part of the ride. Here a link. http://www.nfbc.us/Rides/Maps/tabid/109/Default.aspx

[AshtonEMT]

Thanks Brian, I'll definitely give you a buzz.