Covering Pasco, Hernando, and Citrus Counties
Date: Sunday, June 8, 2008
Temp: 78 - 96 degrees F
Distance: 47.2 Miles
Calories Burned: 1602
Average Speed: 13.6 Maximum speed: 19.3
Ride Time: 3 hours, 27 minutes and 52 seconds, starting at 08:56 -- finish 13:30ish
The trail from Trilby to Citrus Springs is presently the longest paved rail trail in the State. The trail corridor runs through small towns, ranches, the Withlacoochee State Forest and close to the Withlacoochee River.
Cool things I experienced along the way:
Saw a cardinal, a bunny, crows, and foxes!!!
This trail had a lot of bends and seemed to be mostly on an uphill incline, but beautiful Florida scenery the entire way! Very rural and no rollerbladers, very few runners and only a small amount of cyclists. I virtually saw no one toward the end of my ride -- just one guy, who passed me during a rest stop. It was way too hot by then!!!
This Rail To Trail was very evident by all the businesses that catered to the trail folks. There were many restaurants and stores that would 'advertise' on the trail. Many of these businesses were there when the railroad went through here. Neat!
Heading into the area to set up camp the afternoon before the ride. This is a bridge I'd be biking over tomorrow!
Entrance to camp area
Information Center. Very high fire danger. No campfire tonight!
Withlacoochee State Forest
Campsite #24! The best site at the park!!!
This is a florescent green spider I found on my car window at the campground!
Okay... time to get going... Trailhead at Owensboro -- my starting point!
About 10 miles south of the campground.
Heading northbound to Dunnellon.
Let the games begin!
First wildlife on the trail -- a cardinal!
Slow down -- you're going to hit a turtle!
Typical look to this trail
Another turtle! The most I've seen an any trail so far...
Crossing over the Pasco/Hernando County Line
A cute widdle bunny!!
Farmland
Wal*Mart Distribution Center -- went on for about a mile!!!
Crows
Five Miles... 41 to go!
The bridge I saw yesterday... coming up!
The trail turned to gravel for the bridge to keep down your speed -- a surprise!
Well... okay...
Intersection near the bridge that leads to the campground
Cool
Views from the bridge
Downhill now!
Trailhead north of the bridge
Picnic area at the trailhead
Typical road intersections
Original Railroad Markers were abundant along the way
A wild grapevine growing alongside the trail!
I-75 bridge ahead
Campground entrance to trail
Mile Marker 10
Croon Road Crossing
11 Mile Marker
Seems all the crossings have a bend to them
Very good signage. The green bar on the map points out where I am
This is a cypress swamp that is totally dry. We really need some rain!
Leads to the Withlacoochee River
All the benches on this path were dedicated to someone. And sections of the trail were adopted by people to keep them clean and maintained. Nice.
Trail on the left -- street on the right.
Why did the hen cross the trail?
To run out of my way!!!
15 Miles... 31 to go... Somehow this is not helping my morale...
Lake Townsend Regional Park
Equestrians on the trail
This looked like a charming, European Farmhouse...
... but it was a bike shop/restaurant instead!
With the "Deadend Cemetery" !!!
Looks like leftovers from Halloween
Today's lunch specials... I was starting to get hungry! Too early for lunch, though.
It's located here!
With plenty of parking!
Enough of a picture break -- onward!
Hernando/Citrus County Line
Horse Farm
Where the road intersects the trail. Selling honey to the right!
Stopped here to refill a water bottle. I was going through it more rapidly than usual.
An oasis!
23 Mile Marker -- the halfway point! Still plenty of shade!
Just past the 23 MM, the town of Floral City -- a "booming" place!
A railroad station originally, in 1893 - 1949.
Country church.
Big lake near Ft. Cooper State Park
A newer sign was on the front of the building -- also misspelled!
Crossing Old Floral City Road. There were many motorcyclists riding that day!
Floral city water tower -- I wonder if there's a tap?
Florida Highway 44
Pretty lake with a fountain
Playground/park near the lake
Withlacoochee Caboooooose!
Note the turtles on the bench. I can see why it's their 'mascot'. Most turtles I've seen on any trail so far!
Interesting... looks like all the trails are connected... not so! At least not yet!
A FOX!!! There were two actually. One ran off to the left and this one crossed the road and disappeared into the woods on the right!
Bridge over this lake - niiiice!
Old overpass still in use
Turtle on the side and the shade has disappeared!
Oh, good! Still some shade!
Okay... I'm bored now -- tried to take a picture of my rear view mirror!
Rut row! How do I get to the other side?
Turn right and at the light! It was a short distance from the trail.
Yep... 'nother turtle!
Yep... shade it getting to a minimum now..
Noontime shadow
Hey... your friend is down the trail the other way!
Ahhhh... nice bench for a break!
No Florida trail is complete without the power lines!
Citrus Springs Trailhead entrance. Finally getting close to the end!
"You are here." (Blue line on map lower right.)
I wish I were 'there'! Not far to go now...
Just past the 43 Mile Marker -- 3 Miles to go...
Very little shade now and it's in the mid-90s. My water supply is running low and I'm running out of steam!
Seemed the entire trail was uphill now, with a headwind.
This dried up retention pond is not helping me feel quenched
I took a long break here and really thought I was going into heat stroke. Not seeing any shade ahead, this seemed the best place to stop.
One mile to go!
46.8 miles
(I'd back-tracked a couple of times to get pix)
Last road to cross
Yea! The long-awaited trailhead!
Whew!
47.2 Miles
Great timing on the rain. The roads are steaming!
A wet campsite!
But the view is still gorgeous!
Ahh... the pitter patter of rain on the tent. Think I'll take a nap!
Three trails to do tomorrow!