RedC

Although I've seen them mentioned on here I had never been to/ridden in a bicycling event before this weekend. Sebring, Florida is south, central Florida in an area we grow oranges and raise cattles. We have good roads without too much traffic and a few rolling hills. In short, we have some great riding routes. We also have an old hotel (make that "historic") that has figured out how to sell out their rooms to people who want to ride bikes. The local club (of which I am a member) marks the routes and helps with registration. This weekend was the Highlands Bikefest and the first one I attended. Had a great time, can't wait to do it again.

Anyone else participate in these events?

jesspal

There will be a tour de cure in Broward in February, if you are looking into riding another organized ride.

Missbumble 

I have riden in Bikefest GA - a 3-day event and aboiut 7-10 charity rides in GA. I love them - the comradery,the route someone else marks,rest stops etc. They are a ton of fun. A great way for a single woman to not have to worry about anything on a bike. If anything were to happen someone is always around though a lot of the time I am often alone at my pace... I may start early and then watch the pack go by in a whoosh!


This summer I am off on a week long trip (or so) across GA..called BRAG.

Mr. Beanz

I've done several orgnaized rides. Traveled up to 7 hours, other states, even Mexico to do rides. After so many hotels, fees, travel expenses, it gets old. Then one begins to wonder why one can't do rides without having to pay.

Most of the last organized rides I've done were organized by forum members and friends. Everything from vehicle support to BBQ's and such!

But this new year, I may do 2 or 3 organized events.

trippn1

RedC,

I wanted to ride in your event but I was on call this weekend, so no riding for me. I live in Bartow which is just north of you. I plan to do the next ride down in Sebring. Bartow has a ride coming up in the spring. I use Active.com to find ride events. I will ride Tour de Cure in Venice on March 1st.....We need to get together and ride sometime.

RedC

PM me and we'll see when we can get together. I bought my bike in Lakeland so I've gone through Bartow a number of times.

1bluetrek

Hey Red, I dont have any fellow riders near me so I really look foreward to organized rides so I can visit with other cyclists. Check out my slide show for pics of two of my favorites, the Tour de Cure in Redmond Wa. and the 8 Lakes Leg Aches in Spokane.

chewybrian 

I rode a few Florida centuries this year; always had fun. It is well worth $40 or so for the marked route, a couple key road blocks, drinks, snacks, breakdown support... Most of all, it's just fun to get out + ride with like-minded bikers. Here's a link to some Florida events, if you haven't seen it:

https://www.floridabicycle.org/fbtc/

Jupiter, 1/10, is my next event; not far from you, I suppose. Man, you really do live in the middle of nowhere, when you have a huge bombing range down the street! Say hi to the cows.