Southeast - Withlacoochee State Trail Ride Sunday Oct. 4, 09

This is still about seven or eight weeks out but I was wondering if anyone else that posts on this forum planned on doing this ride. I have never done this one before but from what I have heard it is a good event. My daughter and I have signed up to do the 60 mile ride and will add 2 & 1/2 onto it to make it a metric century.

To get complete information on the ride go to:
www.railstotrailsonline.com

You can download the entry form from there.

This might be a good opportunity for some of us Florida riders who post here on a regular basis to meet up for a hand shake. Just a thought...

Hope to see some of you their on Sunday Oct. 4

:cheers:

I am still undecided, watching my pennies very closely as the boat biz is a disaster at the moment. Latest report I have read is that 75% of the people in the boat business are out of work right now. I don't doubt those numbers at all as most of the boat builders have pretty much closed up shop.

I'll let you know if I do decide to ride that day, although I probably could not keep up with you and your daughter, especially over 62 miles!

Sounds like fun. Let me see if I can work it out and maybe even bring a friend or two from Highlands. How fast do you and your daughter ride? Around here I see the leaders of our group at the start and sometimes later if I short cut:D

Unfortunately, the trail runs north and south, no way to shortcut! I average around 13-14 mph and stop every 10 miles or so for a break. I think Slo Spoke is a bit faster than me. Does that make me Super Slo Spoke Timm?:lol:

I am still undecided, watching my pennies very closely as the boat biz is a disaster at the moment. Latest report I have read is that 75% of the people in the boat business are out of work right now. I don't doubt those numbers at all as most of the boat builders have pretty much closed up shop.

I'll let you know if I do decide to ride that day, although I probably could not keep up with you and your daughter, especially over 62 miles!

I am sure the poor economy has put a damper on the boat business as it has a lot of other industry and I am really saddened by the poor situation that a lot of people are being placed in. I retired 2 years ago and felt that I was in a pretty good position to make it to the end of my time but things have changed over the last couple of years and my investments are only paying about half of what they were prior to the downturn. This has not caused me to go out and seek reemployment at this point but I would not rule it out in the future.
Anyway my daughter and I average about 13-14 miles per hour and also stop about every 10 miles for a break so no one has to worry about us riding off and leaving anyone. Any way I hope you can make it.


Sounds like fun. Let me see if I can work it out and maybe even bring a friend or two from Highlands. How fast do you and your daughter ride? Around here I see the leaders of our group at the start and sometimes later if I short cut:D

Red we average about 13=14 mph, we ride for enjoyment not speed would love to meet up and say hello if you can make it. Let me know if you plan to be their.


Unfortunately, the trail runs north and south, no way to shortcut! I average around 13-14 mph and stop every 10 miles or so for a break. I think Slo Spoke is a bit faster than me. Does that make me Super Slo Spoke Timm?:lol:

Boatdesigner, my daughter and I call ourselves team slo spokes and we are the only members of the club so you are more than welcome to join the team. We have no rules and no dues no meetings except to ride, the only requirement is that you enjoy riding your bike. By the way I really envy you living over their where you do so close to the Withlacoochee

:cheers:

Jim, I thought you went faster than that! It is nice living near the trail, although I sometimes see the pics other people post of their locales and wish I had a little more variety. The roads here are not good for riding, so I'll have to travel to some other places to ride. I was thinking of doing the Horse Farm Tour this fall up in Ocala, we'll see if I can afford it. I'll let you know if I will be riding the trail ride.

I was thinking of doing the Horse Farm Tour this fall up in Ocala, we'll see if I can afford it. I'll let you know if I will be riding the trail ride.

That route is beautiful.

Jim, I thought you went faster than that! It is nice living near the trail, although I sometimes see the pics other people post of their locales and wish I had a little more variety. The roads here are not good for riding, so I'll have to travel to some other places to ride. I was thinking of doing the Horse Farm Tour this fall up in Ocala, we'll see if I can afford it. I'll let you know if I will be riding the trail ride.

My days of speed have been gone for about 25 years. While I admire those who can ride 25/50 mile at 20+ mph, and have been able to do that in years past, and I enjoy watching events such as the tour and other races, if I need to be some place in a hurry I will take the car. I ride primely to spend time with my daughter and keep myself in reasonably fair condition. I like to look at the surroundings as I ride and I don't think you can do that when high mph is your objective. I like to ride often 4/5 sometimes 6 days a week and my average ride is around 30 miles per ride with an occasional 50 mile every now and then. I like to stop and have lunch or a cold drink about mid way and meet new people (Panera Bread in Lake Mary is my favorite). I have friends that ride fast and are after me to work on improving my speed so that I can keep up with them, but it just is not my thing. Hence the name Slo Spoke Jim

Tina (my daughter) and I have talked about doing the horse farm tour as well.
:cheers:

Should be up that way with 3-4 others to participate in this Rails to Trailes ride again this year. Look forward to seeing you and your daughter on the trail.

Maggi and I usually do this ride every year with a group of tandems, though I'm not sure we'll make it this year. the Souhtern Tandem Rally (http://www.southerntandemrally.com) is the following weekend in The Villages, we're on staff for it, and may well be busy with that.

However, if you see a gathering of two-fers around the start/finish about 8AM and one of them is a bright red Trek T2000, stop by and say hi!

This is a beautiful ride that I usually do for 2 events each year. Around March they have the clean air ride. The rides are very well attended. The main concern is to be very aware of all of the riders around you. There are many who want to do this ride 2 abreast at a moderate pace. The trail isn't that wide so if a fast pace line is trying to pass and another is coming towards you it can get a little scary, but is very manageable if you pay attention. Enjoy your ride.

Oh one more note: Year before last we rode the Horse Farm ride in Gainesville and loved it. We live in the Bradenton/Sarasota area and consider crossing the bridges to be "hills". The Horse Farm ride had rolling hills that went through some very beautiful countryside.

Oh one more note: Year before last we rode the Horse Farm ride in Gainesville and loved it. We live in the Bradenton/Sarasota area and consider crossing the bridges to be "hills". The Horse Farm ride had rolling hills that went through some very beautiful countryside.

We have talked about doing the Horse Farm ride as well. Perhaps we will bump into you...(well not litterly bump into you:lol::lol:)
:cheers:

We will definitely ride the Trail in October. Look for the tall guy wearing the FSU jersey and I like to wear my UF one just to add a little fun. Hope to see you there.

This is still about seven or eight weeks out but I was wondering if anyone else that posts on this forum planned on doing this ride. I have never done this one before but from what I have heard it is a good event. My daughter and I have signed up to do the 60 mile ride and will add 2 & 1/2 onto it to make it a metric century.

To get complete information on the ride go to:
www.railstotrailsonline.com

You can download the entry form from there.

This might be a good opportunity for some of us Florida riders who post here on a regular basis to meet up for a hand shake. Just a thought...

Hope to see some of you their on Sunday Oct. 4

:cheers:

Just wanted to bump this back to the top to see if we can generate some more interest. Looks as if a few people that hang out here are planning to attend. Hope to see some of you their on the 4th.
:cheers:

Hmmmm....maybe I'll join in on this.

Hmmmm....maybe I'll join in on this.

miamijim, I have never done this ride before but I have ridden the Withlacoochee Trail and in my opinion it is the best trail in FL. Please keep in mind that it will be very crowded that day. I am told that you can start from any location on the trail so that should help thin the congestion out some what. Anyway I am looking forward to the ride and hope to meet some people that post on this form.
:cheers:

My wife and I are supposed to be in Orlando around the end of Sept or beginning of Oct. We have friends and family in Crystal River and Homosassa -- both near Inverness. Is Inverness the starting point? If not, where will it start?

My wife and I are supposed to be in Orlando around the end of Sept or beginning of Oct. We have friends and family in Crystal River and Homosassa -- both near Inverness. Is Inverness the starting point? If not, where will it start?

Ron, I have been told that it is an open start. But to answer your question Inverness is the main focal point. The North Apopka Ave. Trail Head to be exact. Start time is from 7-9 am with a continental breakfast and lunch is from 11-2. The trail is 46 miles long and is very scenic in my opinion, it is very rural and flat with small little towns along the way and very few intersections.

While you are in Orlando and want to ride let me know and I will guide you to some of our local trails. West Orange, Seminole Wekiva, James Van Fleet, ect.
:cheers:

For those who plan to do the Rails to Trails Bike Ride Oct. 4, here is one of the interesting things you might see This was taken about 5 miles north of the Ridge Manor trail head

More photos from the Withlacoochee Trail:
From left to right
Looking south on the trail @ Floral City
The General Store at Istachatta (now closed I think)
Fort Cooper (just south of Inverness)
Slo Spoke Jim & wall painting @ LBS in Floral City

The Istachatta Store is closed now. I'd watch out for the camel. I understand those things can spit! The trail does have some hills, but they are not real steep as the railroad bed was flattened for the choo choos. If you are used to riding down south, I'd guess you'd find it hilly. If you are used to riding in the middle of the state or up around G-ville, it is pretty flat.

Registration for the ride is in Inverness, I don't know if you have to check in if you have pre-registered. I would think you have to stop in and pick up your t-shirt.

The Istachatta Store is closed now. I'd watch out for the camel. I understand those things can spit! The trail does have some hills, but they are not real steep as the railroad bed was flattened for the choo choos. If you are used to riding down south, I'd guess you'd find it hilly. If you are used to riding in the middle of the state or up around G-ville, it is pretty flat.

Registration for the ride is in Inverness, I don't know if you have to check in if you have pre-registered. I would think you have to stop in and pick up your t-shirt.

I thought I remembered that you had posted that the general store had closed. I really hate that, I thought the place was kind of neat. The bike shop in Floral City is run by 2 great people and they are very helpful. I hope they are still open. There is a great deli just around the corner from bike shop that puts out a great sandwich. Wallace Brooks park is a great place to take a break when riding. Can you tell how much I like this trail :lol::lol::lol:

You don't have to check in unless you need to pick up your shirt. We might start from some other trail head and ride the bikes to Inverness to avoid the car crunch that I am sure will be present.
:cheers:

The Istachatta Store is closed now. I'd watch out for the camel. I understand those things can spit! The trail does have some hills, but they are not real steep as the railroad bed was flattened for the choo choos. If you are used to riding down south, I'd guess you'd find it hilly. If you are used to riding in the middle of the state or up around G-ville, it is pretty flat.

Registration for the ride is in Inverness, I don't know if you have to check in if you have pre-registered. I would think you have to stop in and pick up your t-shirt.

Seems to me you have to check in to get your goodie bag, but it doesn't take but 30 seconds if you're preregistered.

As for hills, there is an additional 8 mile off-trail loop added in each year towards the north end that's much hillier than the trail, (a la Gainsville Horse Farm ride). That's to give you a full 100 miles if you do that plus the whole trail, (46 + 46 + 8)

Maggi and I do this ride every year with a group of tandems, but regrettably we won't be there this year. The Southern Tandem Rally is the weekend after over at The Villages, so we'll be preparing for that if it's possible for us to go anywhere. (Been a rough year!)

There's a big wooden ... something ... gate-posts-with-no-gate-made-from-logs thingy at the southern end of the start finish that's always a good place for people to meet up. (See pic of thingy and me below!) Most people seem to start out to the south, so we go north. If you do the north end with the 8 mile hilly loop, you've got 40 miles in by the time you get back to start finish.

If any of you don't want to go that far/ride the hills, when the bunch turns off the trail for the loop, keep going straight to the north end. The loop rejoins the trail a little below the north end, and their route will send them there as well. So you can regroup there, and your ride will be 32 miles. There are well stocked sag stops and adequate facilities set up every year we've done it. We'll miss it this year. You guys have fun.

P.S. The camel is cool! First time we saw him, his butt was to us as we approached, but he was looking back towards us. I told Maggi, "Look at that UGLY horse!"

117062

Onegun that is some good information about the Withlacoochee ride. I took a look at the STR web site, that seems like a great event and I will bet you guys have a ton of fun. Anyone that could confuse a camel for a horse would have be fun to be around:roflmao2::roflmao2:. I don't have a tandem but I might just stop by one day and say hi. The Villages are just up the road from me. I hope to be riding the Pinellas trail this Tuesday and Wednesday with my daughter. If you spot two slo spokes out their give us a wave.
:cheers:

Slo Spoke, the bike shop is still there in Floral City, they specialize in recumbents. They close during the summer though and then re-open for the fall-winter-spring seasons.

Anyone that could confuse a camel for a horse would have be fun to be around:roflmao2::roflmao2:

:rolleyes: Easy now! He was still 50 yards away with his butt to us! You really couldn't see the hump! Honest!! I'm not THAT much of a city boy!


I hope to be riding the Pinellas trail this Tuesday and Wednesday with my daughter. If you spot two slo spokes out their give us a wave.

Where do you start from and what time of day?

:rolleyes: Easy now! He was still 50 yards away with his butt to us! You really couldn't see the hump! Honest!! I'm not THAT much of a city boy!



Where do you start from and what time of day?

Couldn't see the hump... that's your story and your sticking to... right.

We have had a little change in plans for the Tuesday/Wednesday ride and my daughter is driving over to Altamonte so we will be on the SWT and The West Orange.

Hope you guys are having a great Labor Day.
:cheers:

Well, I signed myself and hubby up for this ride. Not sure where we will start. Maybe up close to the north end and ride to Inverness and back. I'm looking forward to this.

LindaN in Ocala

Just to keep a ride on the trail interesting - http://www.trikkefunride.com/ There should be around a hundred trikkes on the trail as well.

Just to keep a ride on the trail interesting - http://www.trikkefunride.com/ There should be around a hundred trikkes on the trail as well.

Yep. They're always out there for this event. I think it is a bone-headed move to include them, but they are a "sponsor", and this is a "fund-raiser"!

Fortunately, those things are neither speed nor endurance machines, so you usually only see them in the first 5 miles or so.

Withlacoochee State Trail Ride Sunday Oct. 4, 09
Who's going and where do you plan to start?

Team Slo Spokes (my daughter and I) will be their, not sure if we will start in Floral City or Inverness.

:cheers:

My husband and I are going. We plan on starting in Inverness. Hope to get there before 8:00. Also hoping for some cooler weather. He rides a Gary Fisher MB and I have a navy Trek hybrid.

LindaN

per someones suggestion we will probably head north.

Started out at the southern end of the trail at 301, headed north to Inverness, registered and returned without a whole lot of notable activities. My perspective it was a great ride, same as it has been the past few years that I rode in.

Well, this was our first official "ride". We started at Inverness. We were there early and left Inverness and headed North. We went as far as the first SAG stop at Citrus Springs, turned around and headed back. It was fairly crowded and most riders were friendly. We went into Inverness but most everything was closed so we packed up and left. We rode 24.6 miles. Less than yesterday but the weather was much nicer.
I'm not so sure I'd do another of these until I get more experienced. I felt a little intimidated by all the racers.
LindaN

Sounds like you enjoyed it, please don't be intimidated by those racing. There will always be a speed crowd ou there, and everyone needs practice to build up any type of speed. I've just goeen used to chugging along at my own pace and let them fly on by.

My daughter and I arrived in Inverness about 7:30 am, we registered had some juice and sweet rolls and the headed out toward the north end. We turned around at the north end trail head and rode back to Inverness where we took a break and re fueled before heading south. We finished up with 71 miles total and were very happy with our ride.

Good points of the ride:
1. This is a great trail
2. Event was well organized
3. We did not encounter any rude riders.
4. SAG stops were well prepared
5. We will do this ride again next year
6. Weather was great

:cheers:

Rode the Century route with my Brother In-Law (his first century) and had a great time. The good points have been well covered, but there were IMHO a few downsides to this ride.

1- While the SAG stops were well stocked with food and (extremely) friendly people, they closed down much too early for the century riders. I know for a fact many were left without support during their last hour or two.

2- The route 50 overpass. This overpass is treacherous to say the least (I wonder how many thought the trail stopped there?). For some reason the paved section of this overpass has been removed and replaced with crushed limestone. To cross this overpass you must ride in the v-shaped drainage ditch complete with drain grates. One rider just in front of us had his wheel get stuck in one of the grates sending him over the handlebars and to the hospital.

3-Trikkes. Way too many of them on this ride- saw more than a few close calls. I know they're a big sponsor so I guess they must be tolerated.

4- Other than at the start point in Inverness I did not see any mechanical support along the route (Maybe I'm expecting too much?).

All in all it was a very enjoyable day and I'll return to do it again next year.

Rode the Century route with my Brother In-Law (his first century) and had a great time. The good points have been well covered, but there were IMHO a few downsides to this ride.

1- While the SAG stops were well stocked with food and (extremely) friendly people, they closed down much too early for the century riders. I know for a fact many were left without support during their last hour or two.

2- The route 50 overpass. This overpass is treacherous to say the least (I wonder how many thought the trail stopped there?). For some reason the paved section of this overpass has been removed and replaced with crushed limestone. To cross this overpass you must ride in the v-shaped drainage ditch complete with drain grates. One rider just in front of us had his wheel get stuck in one of the grates sending him over the handlebars and to the hospital.

3-Trikkes. Way too many of them on this ride- saw more than a few close calls. I know they're a big sponsor so I guess they must be tolerated.

4- Other than at the start point in Inverness I did not see any mechanical support along the route (Maybe I'm expecting too much?).

All in all it was a very enjoyable day and I'll return to do it again next year.

c.miller64, glad you had a good time.
Some of your points are spot on, the overpass at Rt 50 is horrible in my opinion, I can't for the life of me understand why it can't be paved.

I did not see any mechanical support other than at Inverness and the bike shop in Floral City. I don't recall any information that said they would have support so it might be a good point for them to look at and consider next year.

My daughter and I arrived back at Inverness at about 3 pm they were taking down the tent. When we passed thru Floral City that one was gone. The one south of Floral City was still open when we passed it but was some what depleted. I never count on SAG support close to the end of ride time, we carried water with us and did not use it until the final north bound leg.

We did not see many Trikies on the north end early but lots of them on the south end. Theu did not present any problem to or for us.

We will still be their next year nun the less.
:cheers:

c.miller64, glad you had a good time.
Some of your points are spot on, the overpass at Rt 50 is horrible in my opinion, I can't for the life of me understand why it can't be paved.

I rode that part of the trail about 10 years ago and it was paved at that time. It makes no sense at all that it's not anymore. On top of that, having signs instructing bicyclists to ride in the drainage area is lawsuit waiting to happen.



I did not see any mechanical support other than at Inverness and the bike shop in Floral City. I don't recall any information that said they would have support so it might be a good point for them to look at and consider next year.

I just went back and looked at the flyer for the event and you're correct, there wasn't any mention of mechanical support. I may have gotten this mixed up with the upcoming Horrible Hundred ride that I'll be participating in.

With over 1000 riders there probably should be some kind of support (Maybe I'm just spoiled from past events I've participated in).



We did not see many Trikies on the north end early but lots of them on the south end. They did not present any problem to or for us.

Most of the close calls we saw involved cyclists passing Trikkes while other cyclists were coming in the opposite direction. 3 wide with one of them a Trikke is an accident waiting to happen. Hopefully there weren't any.



We will still be there next year non the less.


Same here.

Regarding trikke speed and endurance. The trikke has no gears so it stands to reason a bicycle or bent will be faster, however many trikkers do 15 to 18 MPH. Addressing endurance, a growing number of trikkers have done a century or more. Jimmy Evans did 2,400 miles cross country on a trikke, not to bad for an HPV that isn't considered serious by some.
I'm 72 and trikke over 30 miles on a regular basis.

Regarding trikke speed and endurance. The trikke has no gears so it stands to reason a bicycle or bent will be faster, however many trikkers do 15 to 18 MPH. Addressing endurance, a growing number of trikkers have done a century or more. Jimmy Evans did 2,400 miles cross country on a trikke, not to bad for an HPV that isn't considered serious by some.
I'm 72 and trikke over 30 miles on a regular basis.

I think all that's wonderful! Uhhh ... "keep on trikking"??!! :)

However, bikes and these trikkes simply don't mix on major rides! This isn't a predjudice of any kind, it's just a simple fact. On a narrow pavement with lots of traffic, things that go in a stright line don't mix well with things that have to go from side to side.

The vast majority of roller-bladers stay off the trial on days when there is an announced bike ride. If skaters announced a skate on a given trail I would likewise avoid riding it on my bike that day.

It's a safety issue as well as a common courtesy. A fact that apparently both the sellers and riders of these trikkes don't get.

The side to side movement on the trikke can be done within 3 feet. I was at the Withlacoochee ride in October and there were no problems other than the odd comments some of the female trikkers heard from a few cyclists. Since the bicycle is faster there are some riders that do not give warning that they are passing. I have been trikking since 03 and have not had any problems on the trail with cyclists, most are courteous and say, "on your left".
However there are some hardcore cyclists that think they own the trail and only those with bicycles are allowed. I have seen groups that ride 3 across a narrow trail and consider themselves the kings of the road, fortunately this is not common.
Most trikkers ride in a single line to the right, it's the serpentine motion that makes some think they need 6 to 10 feet to propel the thing. There's too much crap taking place in the world these days, we are all into HPV's, so lets respect each other.

The side to side movement on the trikke can be done within 3 feet. I was at the Withlacoochee ride in October and there were no problems ... I have been trikking since 03 and have not had any problems on the trail with cyclists, most are courteous and say, "on your left" .... I have seen groups that ride 3 across a narrow trail and consider themselves the kings of the road ....
There's too much crap taking place in the world these days, we are all into HPV's, so lets respect each other.

I thought I was being respectful, (and courteous)! Look, these things are 3 feet wide already, and even if your side-to-side motion is limited to 3 feet, that's six feet of a 10 or 12 foot pavement you're taking up all by yourself. That's the same amount of space that 3 competent cyclists will take up when riding three abreast and that, apparently, is considered rude by you. So what does that make the trikke rider?

Secondly, although I didn't ride the Rails to Trails ride this year, I have ridden it many, many times in the past. And I have seen many "problems" with these things, i.e., packs of riders suddenly coming up on them and having to jam on the brakes, etc. At different places even a single rider trying to pass a trikke with another single rider coming the other way can be sketchy. And although I have not seen a true "accident" yet, 3 years ago I saw a group of 3 or 4 riders have to leave the trail in panic mode to avoid an accident with one.

Thirdly, no one is talking about normal trail use. I pass trikkes all the time on the Pinellas trail, and yes, a courteous "on your left" is all that's necessary to pass. No problem, and everybody has the right to use the trail. But this thread is about the annual Withlacoochee Rails to Trails ride .... according to their web page, "An Annual Bike Ride in October" ..... one single day where there are 1000's of cyclists on the trail all at once.

Fourth, you don't hear the comments because most, (including myself until now), are either too courteous to make them to your face and/or don't want a confrontation. But as a cyclist, I hear the comments every year, every time we're near a group that has to pass a trikke. Trust me, at least 50 or 60 percent of the riders think you're being extremely rude and inconsiderate by showing up on this particular day. You have 364 other days to "trikke the trail", so why not allow cyclists to have a single day to ride with no additional hazards?

Additionally, as I said before, if you trikkers put on a ride on a trail, I would studiously avoid it as a matter of safety AND courtesy, because AGAIN, cyclists and trikkes don't mix on a narrow roadbed with heavy traffic.

Lastly, respect is a two way street. If you don't show it to others, you don't deserve to receive it. But it is the trikkers that are being disrespectful by "invading" this ride, not me for mentioning it.

The respect comment I made was not meant for you, but all that use the trails.
Your comments have been read by a few trikkers and noted. I cannot disagree with you regarding trikkers and a massive amount of cyclists on the trail together.
I will pass on your comments to the organizers of the Trikke Fun Ride.