Meet at the Highlands Shopping Center Circle-K, 2175 E. County Road 540A, Lakeland, Saturday September 6th. Rolling at 7:30am to beat some heat. Parking south and west of the Circle-K is best, and in the Publix parking lot also. Look for Rob’s dark blue Jeep Wrangler for ride sign-in. Note – this ride may have a small entry fee (appx $20 per rider) to cover a potential city permit – TBD. Watch the Discussion page for future info. Pending at the time of this ride post.
Join the club on this appx 40 to 43-mile mixed surfaces ride. Gravel bikes recommended. Moderate pace with stops. 60 percent unpaved/ 40 percent paved (paved sections = roads shared with vehicles). Some of the paved roads are hilly. The ride will start on paved roads then lead into Lakeland Highlands Scrub Preserve as we complete the full route heading eventually around Lake Hancock, farther east. I’m leaving some surprises for the ride, but some of the properties we’ll pass through will include Circle-B Bar Reserve, via double track, gravel roads, and narrow passages, some lined by water on both sides, offering great wildlife viewing, and also the Panther Point Trail along the wild east side of Lake Hancock through Marshall Hampton Reserve. This section of the route is rugged and remote. One of the coolest bridges I’ve seen on a bike trail is on this side of the lake. The route will afford great views of Lake Hancock and will also cross Saddle Creek via the flood control structure at the Lake Hancock boat ramp. A small portion of the paved Ft. Fraser Trail is also included.
If you are not comfortable sharing the road with vehicles this is not a good ride for you. Bright tail lights are mandatory for safety/ visibility. Garmin Varia rear radar recommended. It’s HOT folks! Bring plenty of hydration, snacks, sun screen, bug spray, tools, tubes/ tubeless repair. This is a guided ride but riders should be self-supported. Thanks to Dr. Matt Werd and Joe Schneider for route assistance. Ride guide Rob DeGraaf is a Senior Environmental Scientist, past Author of Fat Tire Favorites, Florida Off-Road Bicycling guidebooks, and a past director of the Florida Off-Road Bicycling Association (FORBA).
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