The Hokey Pokey group will explore the Oleno paved bike trail on
Saturday, July 2. Riders should meet at the Oleno trailhead (see
directions below) at 8:15 a.m. for an 8:30 ride start.
Parking for the paved trail is outside the Park entrance, so you won't
need to pay entry fees.
Since this is a paved bike trail, riders can ride as far or as short
as they want. Since it is a dedicated bike trail, it should be
impossible to get lost. Chandler will lead a ride of approximately 22
miles.
The Oleno paved trail starts at the entrance to Oleno State Park and
goes to the town of Fort White, to the South end of the Itchetucknee River
and on to Branford. This is a paved trail that is separated from the
road. Total length of the trail is about 30 miles.
The tentative plan for the Hokey Pokies is to ride to Fort White and
back, total mileage about 22 miles. This portion of the trail has
some shade. While in Fort White, we will visit the
excellent thrift store, which is right on the trail. The thrift store has
interesting china and lots of knickknacks, not many clothes.
Chandler will also lead a ride(if anyone is interested,) to the
first Federal Highway in Florida, the Bellamy Road, built in
1824. This ride will go one mile south of Oleno on US 441 (a
road with cars, has a bike lane) and turn onto the old Bellamy Road, which
is limestone. Hybrids, comfort bikes and other bikes with bigger
tires are recomended. Riders can also drive their cars to
a parking area on the Bellamy Road to avoid riding on US 441. The
Bellamy Road is in its original construction inside Oleno State Park, and
there are several informational kiosks along the road.
Following the ride, riders may want to swim at Ichetucknee or explore
Oleno State Park. Riders may also want to dine at one of restaurants in
High Springs or Alachua.
Everyone is welcome to come on this ride (of course, you must
wear a bike helmet). Don't worry about being slow, no one is slower
than me and we never leave anyone behind.
The ride will be chaperoned by the ride leader who will ride at the
back of the group to make sure no one gets lost. The ride leader is
also a bicycle mechanic who can help fix flat tires and help with any other
mechanical problems.
Directions to Oleno Trail trail head:
On US 441: Take US 441 north
through Alachua and through High Springs. About 7 miles north of
High Springs, a sign will direct you right onto a side road. Go
about 200 yards on the side road and the State Park entrance road will be
on the right, the Trail begins on the left. Park there.
On I-75: Take I-75 north to exit
399 (Alachua) Exit on exit 399 and head north on US
441. Go through High Springs. About 7 miles north of
High Springs, a sign will direct you right onto a side road. Go
about 200 yards on the side road and the State Park entrance road will be
on the right, the Trail begins on the left. Park there. If you
have questions, please E-mail me. Chandler Otis Chanbike@xxxxxxx
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