The Saddle Tramps (Bees are welcome to join us) will ride Wednesday August 3rd, from the Jonesville Steeplechase Publix. We will ride north on CR 241S to NW32nd Ave, then west to NW 170th St, then south to SR26 (Newberry Road), then west to SW202 St, then north to NW46th Road, then west to CR235 which we will ride south back to Newberry Road and into Newberry for a short rest stop at the BP station. We will then ride south on 27/41 to SW46th Ave which we will take east to CR241S, then north to shady SW15th Ave which we will take east to SW143 St which will take us north back to the Jonesville Publix.

This is a ~27 mile ride with mostly smooth roads and very few minor hills. Maps will be available at the start. Restrooms are available at the Publix and at the restroom/water stop in Newberry. Meet at 7:30AM for a departure at 7:45AM so we get as much cool morning riding as possible. High temperatures and humidity are currently forecast in the low-90s later in the day, so bring plenty of water (at least 2 bottles!) and dress for hot weather. It would be a good idea to bring a few dollars to purchase a cold drink with electrolytes at the rest stop to stretch your water supply, and an energy snack, if you don't usually carry one.

Expect level-ground pedaling speeds between 13-17 mph, and an average speed of 13-15 mph on this relatively flat route. This is a no-drop friendly ride; nobody needs to stress themselves to keep up with the leader or faster riders, because we will stop and wait for everyone to regroup at each major turn. Helmets are required, suntan lotion is recommended, as some parts of this ride are in sunny open areas.

The Jonesville Steeplechase Publix is located on the west side of town at the intersection of CR 241S and Newberry Road; Newberry Road has bike lanes from Parker Road westward; CR 241S has bike lanes from Newberry Road northward. If you drive, please park on the southmost (Newberry Rd) side of the parking lot well away from the Publix store entrance. Water and restrooms are available inside the Publix after 7:00AM, and in High Springs.

If you would like to receive a preview map of the ride, or a Garmin .tcx file of the route, please email Ed at the address below.

This ride will be lead by Ed Gardner in the absence of our fearless leader Melinda, who continues to entertain herself on the left coast of the country, hoping the economy will not come to a screeching halt on August 2 leaving her stranded in a storybook land of blue skies, perfect riding weather, and intriguing roads -- without a bicycle.

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