Withlacoochee Trail info

[RonH]

Old man winter has finally worn us down. Looks like we'll be heading down to FL next month. We're about to sign the "contract" to stay at a condo in Hernando for 2 months.
I've ridden the trail twice before but never paid attention to where I can get water and food in the "rural" sections of the trail. When I need food (store stop?) where are the safe places to stop and safely leave my bike unattended for 3-5 minutes. I don't carry a lock. In fact, I don't even own a lock.
Where can I get water?

[RedC]

Old man winter has finally worn us down. Looks like we'll be heading down to FL next month. We're about to sign the "contract" to stay at a condo in Hernando for 2 months.
I've ridden the trail twice before but never paid attention to where I can get water and food in the "rural" sections of the trail. When I need food (store stop?) where are the safe places to stop and safely leave my bike unattended for 3-5 minutes. I don't carry a lock. In fact, I don't even own a lock.
Where can I get water?

It's been a couple of years since I rode it but there are stores, restaurants and even a couple of bicycle shops along the trail and we had no problem leaving our bikes outside whenever we stopped.. There is even a connection between Withlacoochee and the trail at Clermont and the West Orange trail outside of Orlando.. Have fun.

[RonH]

There is even a connection between Withlacoochee and the trail at Clermont and the West Orange trail outside of Orlando.. Have fun.

I moved to Atlanta from Orlando 20 years ago, long before any there were any of the present bike trails in and near Orlando. Got a link to trail maps and info on the connection?

[kjc9640]

Ron, the parks dept has Igloo water containers along the trail, but I have never used them. If you are going to be in Hernando Co. I am guessing that you will be riding from the south. There are some places at Ridge Manor where you can get water and food but you will have to ride out a short entrance road to Rt. 50 (also a good place to park and leave your car). The general store at Nobleton has closed I think but they have a post office their so I am sure you could get water. In Floral City there are a couple of small restaurants and Hampton's Bike Shop. The deli across the street and around the corner from the bike shop puts out a great sandwich. You have a lot of places in Inverness that are in safe riding distance from the trail. North of Inverness the trail parallels SR 41 a very busy road with C stores within safe riding distance of the intersections at CR 486 , Holder CR 491 and Citrus Springs .

I am curious about the connector between the Withlacoochee and the West Orange as well.

Ron take a look at the Clean Air ride (link below) and if you are going to be in town at that time lets meet up and ride together.

http://cleanairride.com/

[zzOtherlandzz]

I remember a couple of drinking fountains along the trail too... Well I remember filling up at one for sure... Can't remember where though.

[RonH]

Thanks for the info.
I saw that store at Nobleton. Too bad it closed.
The condo is in Hernando, about 5-6 miles north of Inverness. It's about 4 blocks from the trail (red circle on the map).
hernando.jpg
I can ride and my wife can walk. She enjoys walking. She said she might try riding since its flat there. If so we'll rent a bike (hybrid, trike, who knows what she'll try) at Suncoast Bicycles in Inverness.
We may be there for the Clean Air Ride. If so I'll post something about meeting up with any BF members.
I did the ride last year when we were in Crystal River, moving my wife's 87 year old aunt to a nursing home and cleaning out her house to sell. The ride was great fun but a foggy start.

[FL_MarkD]

I have eaten at the Shamrock Inn in Floral City and it was good. Nice place to stop for breakfast or lunch. Right off the trail, 100 feet East on Orange St and next to the bike shop. As I also remember there is a restroom/drinking fountain on the north side of the SR 50 overpass.

Mark

[lookinUp]

I remember a couple of drinking fountains along the trail too... Well I remember filling up at one for sure... Can't remember where though.

One is at the Floral City Trailhead. Another at the northern trailhead at Citrus Springs. There may be others as well.

[kjc9640]

I remember you being down here and doing the ride. It was foggy that morning. When you said that you were going to be in Hernando the only thing I thought of was Hernando Co. I forgot about the town of Hernando. So you will be starting from the North. I think your best bet to rent a trike would be to check with Regis at Hampton's Edge in Floral City. He is a good sized Cat Trike dealer as well as other models. I have been in Suncoast Cycles to look around but I don't know much about them. They are big supporters of the ride.

The bridge over Rt 50 is paved now so it is a good ride to the south end now if you don't mind looking at Wal Marts warehouse. And there are rest rooms and water at rhe Rt. 50 trail head and plenty of parking.

[RonH]

Thanks for all the info everyone.
Glad to hear the SR50 overpass is paved.

[punkncat]

Excited to hear the ride report on this from you Ron. One of my friends lives down in Palmetto, below Tampa, and the riding out on the "keys" is really nice. The wife and I have been giving strong consideration to moving down there to enjoy the milder weather. I fear summer though...

[RonH]

Florida summers are brutal. Most folks stay in the a/c between mid-April and mid-October. The electric bills are enormous.

Not sure how many or how often I can post pics or ride reports. The condo we're renting doesn't have an internet connection. We'll have to go to a fast food place or coffee shop with wifi to check emails or check in on BF.

[lookinUp]

Florida summers are brutal. Most folks stay in the a/c between mid-April and mid-October. The electric bills are enormous.

NOT TRUE!!! Most of us ride all summer long. Temps don't feel bad as long as you're moving. It's only when you stop you think you're in a sauna!

[kjc9640]

Summer can be hot in Florida but not unbearable. My highest mileage months were in the summer months. I just alter my riding times.

APR 962.10 miles
MAY 1006.80 miles
JUN 1102.00 miles
JUL 1120.80 mles
AUG 871.90 miles

[RedC]

I moved to Atlanta from Orlando 20 years ago, long before any there were any of the present bike trails in and near Orlando. Got a link to trail maps and info on the connection?

Sorry to be so slow in responding my wife and I spent all weekend trying to see who could be the sickest.. I'll get in touch with my riding buddy and get more info on the connections between the trails. I know when we were in Clermont for the Horrible Hundred we connected to the West Orange trail and went to the Bike Shop there and I'm sure he told me there was a way to get to Withlacoochie but I will verify and get back. When we were at Withlacooochie we stayed in the Central motel on the trail in Inverness. There was a restaurant on the motel property we enjoyed and one a few miles north on the trail but I don't remember the name of the restaurant but it was near one of the bike shops

[RedC]

Spoke to my riding buddy this morning and he says I'm full of it. No connection between Withlacoochee and Lake Minneola (Clermont) but there is a connection between Clermont and West Orange. Sorry for the confusion apparently I continue to get older not better

[RonH]

Ok, things have changed. I got a &%@#$* jury summons in the mail today for Feb 6 with the possibility of serving for up to 5 days. So I've emailed the condo owner to see if we can change the rental dates to mid-Feb thru mid-April. At least I'll be there for the Clean Air Ride. We were just hoping to get out of the cold ASAP.

[RonH]

Disregard the previous post. I called the jury office and they won't let me out of jury service; they just changed the date. I report on January 17.
After today's cold weather (currently 26 degrees on my front porch) I'm ready for some warmer weather and sunshine.
Guess I'll hit the trainer shortly.

[TrailViewMount]

Leaving a bike unattended is an invitation for disaster. Just a humble opinion. I enjoyed riding the trail in Inverness and Floral City. You can see info and photos on the Withlacoochee State Trail on my website: http://www.trailviewmount.com Enjoy.