About a month ago I came out and pre-rode this route with the usual weekend gravel crew. It is a course used by the annual Scratch Ankle gravel event which was the following weekend. If you read that trip report, the hammer went down at the get go and I only managed to click off a couple of images. Check out that report here. Today, I rallied a couple of retired buddies and we re-rode the course at a much more civilized pace allowing for many more photographs.
Florida is full of surprises! Things you would never suspect to find in Florida, hills, amazing forests, fire watch towers, and backcountry airstrips!
Mike and Bruce joined me today and learned early that this day was as much about taking pictures as riding bikes. “Ride over there and return slowly so I can shoot your picture!”
This route has a variety of roads including paved county roads, gravel, double track, and even a touch of single track.
Mike makes his way along this quiet road. Bruce is already up the road.
About half way into the 60 mile route, we stop and let our steeds rest in the shade.
The second half of the ride has a bunch of water crossings. I stop for pictures and Bruce powers through.
Shortly thereafter, Mike gives it a go. I chose the “carry the bike” method as I prefer a dry drivetrain. Both Bruce and Mike express their disappointment in not riding the crossing.
Later in the ride Mike shoots Bruce while I shoot Mike and Bruce.
Nice photo Mike!
As we finish up the ride, we come upon this very cool section and I manage to just get the phone out as Mike crests the hill.
I quickly swing around and capture Bruce.
Not to worry, Mike misses the turn at the top and ends up behind Bruce and I. It was a great day with a couple of hard charging retired dudes. The route was mostly good with a couple of nasty sand sections which I have already mostly forgotten!
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