Saturday, September 06, 2008

Today's Florida ride

Finally, a day with no rain in the forecast!

Waterfowl near YankeetownIt did get a bit hot (91.3 °F), but we're used to that here. I set out rather late, about 9:45 a.m., and returned home about 3:45 p.m. I came and went via Williston Road (State Road 121) which is nice but not terribly interesting.

South of Williston, I turned west on County Road 326 (nice road) and went out to Gulf Hammock. At the end of the road there's a boat ramp that looks just perfect for kayakers. The stream would take you out to Waccasassa Bay.

Then I took U.S. 19 south to Inglis and C.R. 40 west to Yankeetown. That Highway 19 is just too boring! It's a good, wide road, and fast, but duller than dust. I saw a giant group charity ride going north as I drank some water at a gas station in Gulf Hammock. Looked liked about 100 bikes, maybe more. A couple of the guys came in to get gas. When I asked them where they were going, they first said, "Uh, I dunno." Then one said, "Up and around Chiefland, then back over to Williston." That's a long way on 19 -- not a fun ride.

I ate a patty melt at the sandwich shop in the Shell station in Inglis after my loop around Yankeetown. I considered eating at the Hickory Island Restaurant across the road, but I wasn't all that hungry. Looks like a good place.

At Gulf Hammock, FloridaFrom Inglis I took C.R. 40 a short way to C.R. 336 North, and that took me to C.R. 337, which goes through and past Bronson. I'm marking 336 and 337 as super-nice roads in my book! Not many curves, but they run through the Goethe State Forest, so the scenery is not residential or industrial. Sweet! There's a curvy little road west of 337 that I'll have to check out some other time. Hiking trails too. Actually I was in the forest on my outward-bound leg too, but not as long.

In Bronson I turned east on Alt. 27 (big road, similar to 19) and rode that southeast back to Williston. It was hot, and I was just ready to head home before I got to feeling worn out.

Total miles: 160.4
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