Little River Spring with its run flowing in to the Suwannee River.  Photo taken 8/27/2000
 
Monday May 29, Strays will gather at Little River Spring north of Branford for a 28, 38, or 52 mile ride. Strays rides are for current GCC members only, not for unsigned guests.
 
For those Strays in early training for the Santa Fe and Horse Farm Centuries, the longer rides are recommended. Since these rides are completely on the Branford and Oleno-Ft. White bike trails (except for the first 2 miles on CR 240), no map is needed. However Strays planning to do the longer rides should arrive at Little River earlier than the 28 mile group, with plans to complete the ride by noon, based on your ride speed and the distance you choose. The 28 mile ride will be to Itchetucknee Springs, the 38 mile to Ft. White and the 52  mile to Oleno.
 
Warning: Do not come on this ride without a spare inner tube and a patch kit. Branford trail is notorious for its level of broken beer bottles along US 27. The likelihood of a flat at some point in the ride is not remote. And be aware that there are sand traps at about half a dozen points along the Branford trail where the paved trail crosses lime rock roads. The soft sugar white sand has been as deep as 8 or 10 inches in some places and can throw even a fat tire bike to the ground.
 
The 28 mile group should meet at 8:45 am for a 9 am sharp departure. This way we will be leaving the park while the other ride groups are assembling. We will not be waiting for stragglers who are not ready to ride at 9 am, as this will make all of us late for the food.
 
There will be several places to use the rest room or visit a convenience store along the way. Opportunities exist in Branford, again at US 49,  at Itchetucknee Springs Park,  in Fort White and at Oleno Park.
 
Post ride the hungry will rush to the Sonny's barbecue provided by GCC to demonstrate our competitive eating style. Try to get there by noon or the sharks will eat your lunch. Don't forget to email Chandler so he can know what sort of meat you prefer, and to help him get a count. Bring a side dish if you can.
 
Speeds 6 - 28 mph, depending on terrain. Average speed has typically been 13-14 mph in recent times.
This ride is about as flat as a pancake.
 
No pacelines, no racing, no wheel sucking, just a fun social ride.
 
Helmets are REQUIRED on all Strays rides, mirrors recommended, headphones forbidden.
 
If you haven't been on a ride with the Strays before,
you will need to read this information regarding
Safety Protocols.:   http://gccfla.org/strays.html
 
Any other questions:
 
Rob Wilt
GCC VP
380-0561
(All calls are screened, if you identify yourself
as a club member and I am home, I will pick up)
 
 
To get to Little River Spring from Gainesville:
From the Intersection of NW 39th and I-75 proceed north on I-75for 9 miles and take the exit to High Springs. Proceed to High Springs on 441, take US 27 out of High Springs to Ft. White and Branford, turn north at the light in Branford on 249 and proceed  for about 3 miles to CR 240/248. You should see a sign pointing to Little River Springs at this point. Proceed about another 2 miles west to the spring on CR 240. Total distance, about 45 miles.
 
Please leave the parking spaces closest to the spring for the other GCC vehicles. Some will have heavy gear they have to unload to set up for our picnic.