Trail 13

Upper Tampa Bay Trail

Hillsborough County

STATS:

Date: Thursday, June 19, 2008

Temp: 83 - 85 degrees F

Distance: 15.2 Miles

Calories Burned: 566

Average Speed: 12.2 Maximum speed: 22.8

Ride Time: 1 hour, 14 minutes and 33 seconds, starting at 13:07 -- finish 14:30ish

Cool things I experienced along the way:

This trail had many aspects to it -- very urban with some rural feel to it, even going under a train trestle! there wasn't too much wildlife, just the usual around Florida -- as many lizards as a picnic would draw...

I got a late start because it was rainy in the morning and I also stopped by to see a new person on the planet -- Hailey Adams, 8 day old daughter of Jordan (Jay) and Corrine Adams. It was great to see the new family and catch up a bit!

The trailhead had a great park, which was empty when I arrived. I'm sure it's busier on the weekend and when it's not as hot.

There was a lot of great signage on this trail. Very nice!

Oops! Looks like I started out the wrong way!

Looks like it's going to be another beautiful ride!

The road is adjacent to the trail for this short piece.

I'm glad to have some shade today!

Great amenities!

More great signage. Says what's ahead and the distance to it.

Mile Markers are noted by in the arrows. MM8.

Another great playground at a trailhead.

You know you're in the city here.

A cool bridge to bypass crossing the street!

Views from above.

Coming back down off the bridge. It's 'scalloped' to aid those climbing the ramp and to slow down those ascending.

MM 4

The trail divides here and there's a hill on the right.

See, Wayne? Florida does have hills!!!

Just when I was wondering why I was thinking about whether I'd remembered to take out the garbage before I left, I realized why it came to mind...

This isn't a hill!!! Welcome to the landfill. Try not to take a deep breath!

With all the great signage, there was one very important one missing down the street! I went the wrong direction to the next intersection and decided to turn back the other way... <whew!>

This was cool... it went under the road and then a train trestle with a couple of sharp turns. You really had to slow down going through here. 3 boys had come screaming out of there as I was approaching. I'm glad I'd stopped to figure this out, since going the other way would have taken me to a trailhead!

Exiting the underpass.

Another bridge almost immediately!

This one went over water!

I stopped here because I was hearing the unmistakable sound of a gator croaking!!! It sounds like a very loud frog. I couldn't see him or her, but I certainly knew it was there!!

View of the road bridge from this bridge. Yep... lots of bridges around these parts!

Back to the trail!

The trail winds along the Hillsborough River. Very nice!

There were some signs about the ecology and wildlife of the area.

Again.. can't say enough nice things about the great signage!

Big trailhead with nice facilities next to the next underpass.

Don't need to stop, though...

Gotta keep peddling! I have another trail to do yet today!

And it's a beautiful day for a ride!!!

And I guess I have cell phone coverage too! (Check out the skyline.)

The cell phone towers are by the high school! Looks like a nice bike path in the street too, but I'll just stick to the trail, thanks!

Ahhh... looks like the ending trailhead is just around the bend!

Sure enough! And yet, another great sign!!!

Okay... on the way back, you can see me waving in the reflection of the signs!

(Well... you have to look hard!)

MM Zero! Gotta go back now!

The river is even more beautiful going back!

This rollerblader is the very nice older gentleman that was getting a nice cold drink at the trailhead. We had a short chat about living life to its fullest and enjoying every day. How nice!!! And how nice of the trail folks to have cold water jugs at the trailheads! I carry my own, but it's great to be able to 'fill up' when you need to!