A profusion of lotus blossoms adorn Paynes Prairie. Seen from the second overlook. 16X. 7/29/06
 
Saturday August 5  Strays will ride out from Boulware Springs to Hawthorne and back for a total mileage of  32 - 35 miles. The group may stop at the overlooks if anyone is interested.
 
Ride leader for this ride will be Velvet Yates.
 
Meet at Boulware Springs dirt lot at 8 am for an 8:15 departure. 
 
Ride speed range 5 - 36 mph, varying with terrain.
 
Average speed in recent times has typically been approaching 14 mph. This ride is mostly flat, except for a couple of small hills near the Gainesville end of the GHT.
 
There will be a convenience store or rest room opportunity about every 10 miles.  The ride may visit Tim's Fast Nickel also.
 
After the ride. the hungry may eat at the Latin Cafe, Tim's Fast Nickel or another fine dining establishment.
 
No pace lines, no wheel sucking, no racing, just a fun social ride.
 
Helmets are REQUIRED on all Strays rides, mirrors recommended, headphones forbidden.
 
Safety protocols are always observed on Strays rides
New  riders  must  read  the  following  before  joining  us:
Any other questions:
 
Velvet Yates
 
      
To get to the Boulware Springs dirt lot:
From the intersection of Waldo Road (24/331) and University Ave (26), proceed East on University for about a quarter mile, the road forks, take the right fork, which is Hawthorne Rd. (20), in about another block take a right (going south) on SE 15th st., continue south for about 2.25 miles until you see the brown Gainesville Hawthorne Trail sign on your right. Pass the first entrance to the park, but enter the second entrance a few hundred feet further south.
 
Park either in the dirt lot or the paved lot down near the spring house. We gather for the ride at the picnic tables next to the dirt lot.
 
There is supposed to be a restroom available at the spring house, however it is usually locked in the morning when we try to use it. For those that need it,  there is a rest room on the right side of the trail about a mile out from Boulware just before you encounter Ranch Road.