Note: What the heck is the Battle of Olustee you ask? It is a somewhat unsupported unofficial ride of approximately 116 miles that wanders north of Gainesvile and Lake City, which takes place in January, when the days are really too short and often too cold for such frivolity. Some people can ride the Battle before the sun sets without any problems, but as Ethyl Merman sang in "Gypsy", "some people ain't ME." Therefore, for us non-A riders with older knee caps and smaller legs, we will stage two shorter "Skirmishes" instead of a full-fledged "Battle", breaking the ride into TWO separate rides on two different weekends. If anyone contemplating riding the Battle wants to preview the route by riding with us, you can begin next Saturday. If you sample the route with us, you may find out that the actual 116 mile Battle might better be avoided by diplomacy, when it arrives on the calendar. This is the second part of the two-part ride.

The Route: Is a rambling loop starting in Worthington Springs and returning there. Due to the details being somewhat complex to describe verbally, I suggest that for this ride you ask me for a map via email. The loop passes through Lake Butler, over Olustee Creek, the Osceola National Forest, the outskirts of Lake City, and small segments of the Sante Fe Century ride route near Myrtis Road, returning to Worthington Springs eastward on CR18. The loop will be ridden counter-clockwise, just as the Battle route will be ridden. This is a very scenic wooded route with little road traffic, so it should be an enjoyable ride.

The Ride: This is an relatively flat ride of ~73 miles, with few hills and mostly smooth roads, much of which is in the pine-wooded Osceola National Forest. Expect ride speeds of 17-19 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 major drops. Helmets are required, appropriate layered winter wear, and some onboard snacks are recommended since a significant portion of the ride is through pine-wooded forests with no residences or businesses, only a few forest campgrounds.

The Start Point: Will be at the Chastain Seay Park, just south of Worthington Springs on the north side of the Santa Fe River bridge. It is a LEFT turn off of Highway 121 going north, and is marked with the usual brown park sign as you are climbing up the hill into Worthington Springs just after crossing the bridge. If you get into Worthington Springs without turning off 121, you have missed the turn; go back south and look for the sign on the RIGHT as you approach the river bridge going down the steep hill to the bridge. There are restrooms and picnic tables at the park, but the restrooms MAY not be unlocked at the time of our departure; if necessary we will stop at the Dollar General store in Worthington Springs or in Lake Butler if anyone needs to "go" before we get to the National Forest leg of the ride. Worthington Springs is not the starting point of the full Battle of Olustee, but is on the actual route, and better suited for our shortened "skirmish" loop.

The Ride Aids: If you want a preview map of the ride or a Garmin .tcx file, email Ed at the address below. A map showing both parts of the two-part ride and Battle route can be provided as .jpg files. A copy of the General Plan for the Bee-17s has been posted on the GCC mail list and is available upon request from Ed.

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. Expect a cool start in the '40s, with an opportunity in Lake Butler to shed a layer of clothing at a gas-station/convenience-store restroom break before we enter the National Forest roads. Temps currently forecast to be in the low '70s towards the end of the ride.

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