Thursday, December 25, 2008

A holiday bike ride





So, it's Christmas, and I do wish one and all a very wonderful holiday season and hope that each of you has the best of everything in the year to come.

Today I got out of bed had breakfast and by 8:00am was on my bike doing a trail ride on the Marjorie Harris Carr cross Florida green way. I had as my objective, a trip to the man made land bridge over I-75 with a starting point of the 49th street trail head. That would be a ride of a few miles, I gave myself lots of time so that I wouldn't be pushing too hard, being out of shape like I am.
So the ride started out okay, got into a little sand right off that was a little tough going but once I was through that it looked like smooth sailing. I of course did note the signs that indicated this was a "more difficult" trail. Considering the fact that Florida is pretty flat I didn't figure that things would get too tough, of course right after I decided I had been right about that . . . there was a steep climb, not a big climb just steep. right after the climb I started riding over roots that crossed the trail, not little roots, these are like 6" - 8" in diameter. Rough ride, but I soldiered on. Now the trail started to twist and wind through the forest, one second traveling South the next West, then east, no North, um We, er South. I'm getting a little turned around here, sure glad the sun is out so I know which direction I am traveling. Hey where did all this overcast come from!? Well at least the trail is smooth, level and . . . whoa where did that dip come from? granted these weren't really deep dips, 3' - 4' maybe as much as 5' the real issue with these is the fact that they drop in steep, and climb back out almost vertically. Did I mention that I am not in the best physical condition!? Anyway, it was a fun ride, The forest is a cool place to go, quiet, green, (I think it was about 75 degrees while i was out there riding my bike, very pleasant.)
Check out the pics from the ride . . .


This low bridge could really cause issues if you aren't
watching where you are going!


Here's my bike waiting on me.



This is the forest I was riding through.



I came across a lot of these narrow places!


and then there's this little obstacle.