droobieinop

Gainesville and Clermont are both good places to ride. Especially if you get some ride maps from the big century rides.

Here's a link for the Gainesville Cycling Festival.
https://gccfla.org/gcf/index.html.
This was a great ride, with mostly good roads, some challenging "hills" and that incorporates part of the Gainesville-Hawthorne Rail Trail.

Here's the Horrible Hundred.
https://www.horrible-hundred.com/hhevent.html
Two of our '09 group went back for 2010, that's us in the red, white and blue AB kits from '09 start. When I first did this in 2009, I had no real idea what to expect. I mean, how can one person tell another, "there's this hill called Sugarloaf. It's a bit steep but, its short." What's that mean?
So I made the turn onto Buck Hill Rd and my heart sunk as I watched people walking up. One guy on a recumbant trike looked like he was going backwards.

As I got closer I realized it was really a guy in a hand trike just gringing away. I gave some words of encouragement and rode on towards the top. Thinking I was conquering Sugarloaf, I turned to someone, who seemed to be with the hand trike, and said something cheesey like, "Tell me that was the BIG DOG?" his reply? "Nah, you're just getting started." I had 2 more to go on Buck Hill before hitting Sugarloaf about 70+ miles in. But, once you think it can't get any worse, there are the hills in the neighborhood and Hospital Hill.

Anyway, I'm sure we're all glad to see you enjoying yourself down here. It's good to hear about good experiences when we get so much bad press. Not that its not deserved or the driving public and gov't. But generally speaking, the clubs are strong and welcoming. As are nearly all of the shops and cyclists. Unfortunately, motorists and pedestrians on bicycles don't mix very well, and most "average motorist" can't tell the difference between us.

Enjoy and be careful.

ID64

Thanks again. So, far I did only one ride in Miami : https://connect.garmin.com/activity/66558354

It was fun, very hot indeed. I am not sure how you guys ride here in the Summer time. I saw a lot of cyclists o the road, which is kind of surpising at 2 PM on a workday I will try to ride at least one more time here before I switch back to cross country skies back home Traffic in Miami is not that forgiving as in Orlando, took me almost an hour to get from Sunny Beaches to Key Biscyane area.

Cheers!

ID64

Todays ride:https://connect.garmin.com/activity/66592809

Really enjoyed that one

ID64

After todays ride went to Bike Tech. Nice store and nice people. Got a new helmet

Thanks!

ID64

What is after Lakes by the Bay? Rough neighborhood?

Velo Gator

Yes, very much so.

Velo Gator

Sweet! It's definitely a nice shop.

Velo Gator

Nice route. There was a time when they wouldn't let cyclists ride down the Rickenbacker (the large bridge) because they were getting hurt going too fast.

ID64

My new helmet. Had to get something to bring it with me from FL

ID64

Todays ride:
https://connect.garmin.com/activity/66777333

Got together with local guys and did their route together. Amazing!

Walter

Haven't ridden in Miami in a long time. I grew up there though and riding to the beach and along A1A was always a blast. Used to ride to Coconut Grove but the Grove has changed so much that I'm not sure it would be worth the effort now.

BarryJo

I really need to get back down to Fl. for a number of reasons.
I miss the Sunday San Antonio ride.
Heck, I even miss riding the MUP along the Suncoast Hwy.

This winter in New England has been long and miserable.

FLvector

^^Did San Ann this morning. Had about 20+ for a great ride.

Did the Suncoast Pkwy on Thursday after work. Not a bad route for a MUP.

Send a pm if you get down this way.

ID64

Last ride in Florida I hope that can say - THIS MONTH. https://connect.garmin.com/activity/66961474

Heading back to the real winter tomorrow. I cant imagine using rollers again! Hopefully, we'll have an early spring this year.

Thanks all for all your support! Cheers!

dmann

How was your stay at the Doubletree? I'm thinking of staying there this May when we head down for my daughters graduation from UM. Back in 09 when we stayed out on Key Biscayne, I rented a decent bike from Mangrove cycles and had a blast riding the loop up and over the biggest hill in Miami and dodging the occasional wayward lizard!

ID64

It was pretty good. We stood at the condo not the hotel part so I can't really tell about actual hotel service. One thing for sure is that try to avoid the restaurant downstairs - overpriced and average food and service.

dmann

Thanks, we are looking at a condo unit also, via Prestige vacation rentals. I just wanted to get your feel for the area and facility. Sounds and looks like you had a good time

ID64

YW. It's a nice area, one more thing - Sushi restaurant down the road is big NO NO Service is terrible there.