Stage 8 Withlahoochee State Trail
Yet another early start. Breakfast at 6am to be on the road by 7am. We drove west of Orlando to a rail bed that has been converted into a 46 mile paved bike trail, beginning in Citrus Springs and ending just south of Ridge Manor.
It was hot again and storms were threatening but we set off at blistering pace again. The trail was about 12 ft wide and perfectly flat and we beetled along through small town Florida, mostly forgotten or unknown by the legions of tourists and retirees who flock to the state.
We stopped at an Irish pub for lunch. ‘nuf said.
Wildlife spotted included VERY large turtles, blue herons, snakes and various unknown things which may just fancy you for lunch.
Jools had a flat and only 1 rider had the courtesy to stop. We changed the tube quickly as a storm announced its impending arrival with repeated outbursts of lightning and thunder. When ready we raced the storm in an effort to stay ahead of it. We covered 14 miles in around 45 mins – the last 5 miles in just over 12 mins. Great fun.
We reached Ridge Manor where the drivers waited to supply us with food and water only to be overtaken by heavy rain and thunder forcing us off the road after 41 miles.
It stayed like that all the way to Orlando.
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