The Bee-17s will ride from the Jonesville Steeplechase Publix, Saturday, April 28th to Newberry via a 43 mile loop through Gilcrist County.
 
The Route:  Will start from the Jonesville Steeplechase Publix, going north on CR241, then west on NW 94th Ave, then south on US27/41, then west on CR232 (NW 76 Ave) to CR337, where we will turn south and then east and south again until it "T"s into SR26 (Newberry Rd), where we will turn east and ride into Newberry to the rest stop.  We will resume going south on US27/41, then turn east onto SW 46 Ave and go to CR241, which we will take north to SW 15th Ave and turn east and follow it until it turns north into SW 143rd Street, which we will follow back to the Steeplechase Publix.
 
The Time:  Meet at 8:00AM, ride at 8:15AM, Saturday, April 28th.  Expect a full ride time of ~3:00 hours including the rest stop.
 
The Ride:  This is a relatively easy ride of ~41.3 milesof mostly flat roads with a few hills.  Expect ride speeds of 15-19 mph with a target pedaling speed of 17 mph and an average speed of 16-17 mph.  This is a no-drop friendly ride for riders in reasonable physical condition; we will soft pedal as necessary to keep the core of the group together because riders on this ride are expected to be able to ride at the stated group speed; nevertheless we will wait for everyone to regroup at each major turn and after fun sprints, if necessary to prevent drops.  Helmets are required.
 
The Rest Stop:  Will be in Newberry at approximately 30 miles at a convenience store/gas station with restrooms.
 
The Start Point: The Jonesville Steeplechase Publix is located on the west side of town at the intersection of CR 241 and Newberry Road; Newberry Road has bike lanes from Parker Road westward; CR 241 has bike lanes from Newberry Road northward.  If you drive, please park on the southmost (Newberry Rd) side of the parking lot well away from the Publix store entrance.  Water and restrooms are available inside the Publix after 7:00AM.
 
The Ride Aids:  Route maps will be available at the start of the ride; if you want a preview map of the ride or a Garmin .tcx file, email Ed at the address below; anyone on my mail list is sent a map in the Ride Report for the previous ride.  General information about the Bee-17s is now available in the "Riding Groups" page at the GCC web site:
 
Weather:  In the event of questionable weather as we near ride time, a GO or cancellation notice will be posted on the list server approximately 1 hour or sooner before posted ride meeting time; if you don't see anything by then, the ride is most likely a GO; if you still have concerns or useful specific information about bad weather along the ride route, please give me a call. 
 
Note:  The Bee-17s are now an official GCC riding group.  Anyone wishing to "join" the group as a regular member can do so from their own Members Area page and will receive a Ride Report for each ride.  Non-group GCC members continue to be welcomed to join us on any posted ride they feel like riding without having to formally "join" the group.
 
Questions?:  Call Ed at (352) 332-5678 (cell) or egardner@cox.net