Santos to Land Bridge Circuit, Mountain Bike Ride -

You may call it spring fever or you can say everyone was just sick and tired of cancelling trips due to the terrible cold and wet weather we’ve had all winter. So, once again on this Sat. there was a 70% chance of rain and most of us woke up to that familiar sound that makes you want to roll over and go back to sleep. But, after checking my e-mail there was only one cancellation. So I went thru the motions and drove over to Santos Trailhead to see how many “no shows” there would be only to my surprise everyone showed up, dressed for the worst and ready to do some serious riding.

We had a fairly good size group of 9 people. Dennis and I were contemplating splitting it up into two smaller groups to avoid every one getting sprawled out all over the Greenway and possibly loosing someone. But we started out as one large group first to see if we could keep up a pace that everyone was comfortable with, and surprisingly pretty much everyone kept up. It helped being on the yellow (easiest) trail and a major majority of the group had done this trail at least once before and were familiar with it’s’ twists and turns and occasional log jump.

The rain was a consistent drizzle, but for the most part we were protected by the trees. It did seem to get a little heavier before it finally stopped. But not much complaining from this bunch of troupers. I couldn’t say how many got to enjoy the scenery since out heads were mostly down to allow water to drip off our helmets and to avoid getting hit with wet branches. We stopped occasionally for a break, or to make a directional decision. Dennis decided, spur of the moment, to check out a classic rust bucket in the woods. One good thing about the rain – no spiders in Spider Kingdom! Dana was also breaking in a new bike which needed occasional adjustments. Consider that bike officially broken in!

It finally stopped raining by the time we got to the Land Bridge Trailhead where we took a break before venturing on to the Land Bridge. There we hung out for a little while, took some pictures, adjusted Dana’s bike again, and procrastinated just a little bit more before the long trek back. As we made our way home we could have sworn the sun was trying to break thru. You can so easily forget how close to civilization you really are on these trails. The woods are strangely quiet after a rain and the smell is so fresh and earthy, with the exception of a couple of horse farms along the way.

After several hours, and one more adjustment to Dana’s bike, we finally made it back to the Santos Trailhead with aprox. 23 miles under our belts. And thank you OMBA for their ingenious planning of putting a couple of hoses at a bike rack for washing bikes (and riders) after a muddy ride. Some of us changed immediately into dry clothes, while others enjoyed some hot tea and cocoa compliments of Dennis. Soon afterwards we all drove over to the infamous Pasta Faire for an early, but much deserved dinner. It’s nice to sit and relax and enjoy good conversation with the group about the ride and various other trips, past and future. Thank you every one (Clark, Tom, Patrick, Dana and their friend Rich, Rich Miller, Mary, and Dennis) for making an otherwise miserable, rainy day into a fun, enjoyable and memorable adventure.

Your host: Carol Noll and co-hosted with Dennis Smith

Pictures: Rich Miller

Santos to Land Bridge Circuit, Mountain Bike Ride - The group of 5 of us converged at the Santos parking lot of the Cross Florida Greenway, the most popular put-in for mountain biking along an enormous stretch of deep woods biking. Patrick and Dana were to meet up with Dennis, Corey (Dennis's 14-year old grandson) and myself. We timed it perfect when a Toyota JF Cruiser pulled up and the driver ask for directions. It turn out to be the new members, Patrick and Dana.

There were low lying, almost snow clouds, still hanging around with a low 50 degree chill. But the cold-front was to make its way on through as the morning progressed and we should be riding under sunny blue skies by mid-day. Actually the cold front brought rain the day before giving the trail the ideal compactness and no dust conditions.

With everyone appropriately stocked, clothed and anxious to get rolling, we pulled out just a bit past 9:00 and hit the "easy" trail staying right the whole way out to the Land Bridge. The attraction of this place is it's uncommon Florida beauty of heavily oaked forest, imperceptible undulating hills and the professional layout of the bike trail itself. Very little is straight and the challenges, even on this easy section, are plenty to make for a day of thrills - sharp maneuvers around downfall, limestone rock beds jutting from the blanket of leaves, roots and logs to bounce across,the tight squeezes between pairs of trees and the continual mental attention required at every moment.

The group was a well fitted team of good riders able to make the 23-mile distance and keep a fair pace; a pace that did not take away from the absorption of the beauty to behold along the way. We stuck together and worked as a pack. Corey, being only 14 years of age, was quite the fit rider and maturely joined in the conversations and basically had no problem "running with the big dogs". Dennis Smith is extremely familiar not only with the Greenway trails, but is an extremely knowledgeable and capable cyclists. Actually, Dennis augmented my hosting beyond my own knowledge and had been extremely instrumental in advising me on details such as eye-wear, spider issues and breakfast and dinner rendezvous. Oh, and he suggested these bike gloves that covered the finger after observing my regular fingerless gloves. At first I declined, then I changed my mind and took him up on the offer and picked out a decent fit. About 3/5th of the way out, leading the pack in an average speed, we approached some purposely placed mounds of dirt. Just little mole hills to give you the opportunity to pop up at the right speed. Unsuccessful in my hot-dogging it on the first mound, I put more into it on the subsequent mound 20 foot apart. There was a problem though. My concentration on the mound diverted my attention to the tree that I subsequently whacked with my right hand for which I was immediately slammed to the ground. It all turned out well, and made for additional conversation for the duration of the trip.

We made it to the Land Bridge before noon. This is the bridge that crosses I-75 and is adorned with vegetation such that as you look down the trail, you have no idea you are above a 90,000 car a day freeway. It is a bridge I saw get built in the late 80s or early 90s and had driven under scores of times. This was my first approach. I think everyone was curious about what lay further down the trail across the bridge, but at this half way point, we knew we were stretching our physical comfort and had to face the return trip.

Upon our return trip, we stopped off at the Vortex, a former quarry with 25 to 30 foot cliffs and numerous smaller down slopes and generally a place that separates the brainy from the brainless. Actually, quite skill cyclist can put on a formidable show of daring duo. It's always worth taking time to visit the Vortex and heck, you never know what you might see - or even try.

I could see it in both Patrick and Dana's eyes and in their enthusiasm and talk, that the trip was exceedingly thrilling for them. I was in that position just weeks before when Carol lead the group at the Annual Gathering. This thrill of riding through miles and miles of deep forest and meeting and beating the challenges, it's like a mountain climb and reaching the parking lot at the end is like experiencing the summit. To think back on your accomplishments and taking in the sights and savoring the thrill; it is a similar savor of the view of being above everything around you. I suspect they will be back out on the trail very soon. The Greenway is like none other in Florida.

Dennis guided us to an Italian restaurant for a 4:00 PM dinner of delight and a good 1600 calories. Awesome food, great folks to ride with, and a wonderful day to take in the wilderness. I am thankful of time with friends and the experiences I had gained.

Host: Clark Getz
Co Host: Dennis Smith
Pictures: Patrick

Santos to Land Bridge Parking Circuit, Mountain Bike Ride as part of the 2009 Annual Gathering -

We couldn’t have had a better day as far as the weather goes. It was warm and sunny. Nine people had originally signed up for the trip but Judy got called back to work. So eight of us started out on the yellow trail from the Santos Trailhead in Ocala. Yellow being the easiest of the trails. Our goal – the Land Bridge Trailhead. Approximately 11miles - 22 miles round trip. Even though it is considered the easy trail, if you’re not used to off road biking, it can be quite challenging with rocks, roots and narrow, twisting passages that meander through the woods. We took our time as we made our way along the single track through various forests of Oak, then Pine, and once through a grassy field with scattered Pine saplings. There wasn’t much as far as animal sightings go. Don’t think a snake falls under that category, and certainly a John Deer doesn’t count (Tom).

As we got half way out, a couple of people decided they’d had enough. And, kudos to the people (Susan & Ed) for going back and getting the truck to pick up the riders and their bikes. The remaining four of us went on and made it to the Land Bridge Trailhead just in time for a much needed break. We ate, refilled water bottles, and rested briefly before starting our long journey back to Santos.

On the way back we ran into the other half of our group as they were loading up into the truck. At this point one more person decided to take this opportunity to go back as well.

Then there were three – Clark, Tom and I made it back to the Santos parking lot in one piece. Total time was about five hours and around 23 miles. You have to consider when riding off road the miles feel like you’ve gone twice as far as if you were on a paved road.

I believe after the tiredness, sore muscles and blisters went away, most of us can say we had a good time. Some of us have even gone back for more. Some things to keep in mind if you decide to ride the Santos Trail System is be prepared, know your ability and certainly don’t expect to conquer these trails first time out. As beautiful and awesome as a trail can get, you will get caught up in it, so much so that you will lose track of time, get lost, misjudge and fall, and of course when you least expect it, in the most remote of areas, you will get a flat tire. It’s the nature of the beast. Please don’t let any of this discourage you because there’s always a next time and these trails will keep you wanting to come back for more.

Trip host – Carol Noll