GCC will have its best picnic, the fabled Chilly Chili Cookoff, on Saturday, Jan. 24 at Oleno State Park.  Bike rides begin at 9:00, food will be serverd about noon.

 

Oleno State Park has several riding opportunities, including a 25 mile long  paved bike trail,  quiet country roads and gentle dirt trails.   The paved trail and the gentle dirt trails are excellent for riders of all abilities, including children.  There are also excellent hiking trails for those who prefer walking.

 

The paved bike trail goes to Ft. White, the south end of the Itchetucknee and on to Branford.  There is an excellent thrift store next to the trail in Ft. White.

 

The dirt trails inside the park are gentle.  One trail follows a road that has been used for 400 years, another trail is part of the Bellamy Road, the first Federal Highway in Florida built in 1826.    Chandler usually leads a history ride along these trails, however if someone else can lead, Chandler can concentrate on chili.

 

The main event, the Chili Cookoff, starts at noon at the picnic area by the Santa Fe River.  Chandler will bring a large pot of mild, chili made with turkey that is guaranteed to offend no one and a pot of beef chili that is also mild.  Please bring your best chili recipe, all chilis are invited including meat, vegi,  seafood and insect based chilis.  To round out the feast, club members are asked to bring a desert or side dish.

 

If the weather is cold, come anyway, food will be served unless there is severe rain.  Five years ago, it was below freezing and no one showed up to ride bikes.  However, starting at 11:30, club members began to arrive and we had a great feast.

 

Please bring friends to introduce them to the bike club. 

 

Ride leaders may want to organize rides from Oleno for that day.

 

One idea is to ride bikes in the morning, enjoy the feast at noon, and then enjoy a hike in the early afternoon.

 

Oleno State Park is 8 miles north of High Springs on US 441.  Entry fee for the park is $4 for a carfull of people, $3 for one  person in a car.