Here are some ride notes for the 100 mile NFBC Azalea Ride on Sunday February 26.
Although this ride has been around for more than 20 years, the Shands Bridge crossing was getting too dangerous so last year (2016), we made a new route that goes west toward Stark and then SE to Palatka. We no longer cross the Shands Bridge. Because this is a relatively new route, few NFBC members have done this route before.
Thus I highly recommend looking at the map and downloading the route in to your GPS before Sunday. The maps and ride information can be found here:
http://www.nfbc.us/content.aspx?page_id=87&club_id=597416&item_id=601061
Some additional items to note:
1) There is about a mile of rough road on SR 16 located about a mile east of 215/Camp Blanding.
2) The shoulder/bike lane disappears & has reflectors approaching the 2 narrow bridges on 230.
3) It is easy to miss the start of the Palatka trail. Look for the sign for the Keystone Airpark/Airport on SR 100. The entrance to the bike trail is darn near exactly one mile east of there. Also just before the trail head there are signs for county road C18 & Camp Keystone.
4) There are additional convenience stores just off the bike trail on SR 100 if needed
A) Circle K at Twin Lakes Rd
B) A store at SR 26.
5) 309C is now open to traffic. (It was closed when we went through last year.)
6) The Shell station noted on the map on 17 (mile 82) is now called "Hall's." The (Shell) sign is missing, but the store is open.
7) We will eat lunch at the picnic tables inside Ravines State Park.
There is a Kangaroo Store at mile 71 but last year the sandwich selection at that store was not very good. It might be better to pick up a sandwich at the mile 51.4 store. The 71 mile store did have a good selection of drinks.
8) We will have at least an A group and B group and there will be a B group sweep rider.
The Azaleas are blooming and the weather is going to be great. Come out an ride with us this Sunday!
Start location: Cove Plaza, 1401 US 17, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043 ( There are no toilets at Green Cove Plaza so use the Speedway gas station across the street)
THE RIDE DEPARTS AT 8:30. We need to start on time so please be there and ready to go by 8:20AM.
Thanks!
Jonathan Tomassetti / 100 mile Ride Leader