Upper Tampa Bay Trail

Today was a beautiful day for a ride and we have decided to begin our trail commentary with the Upper Tampa Bay Trail in Hillsborough County. (off of Montague/Hillsborough Avenue)

Herr Maus accompanied me on this short & brisk ride. Total of just under 14 miles round trip, about 7 one way. We started out at the Old Memorial Trailhead and turned around at the Peterson Road Park trailhead. The best news includes the possibility the north end of the trail will continue and link up with the southern end of the Suncoast Trail and the southern end of this trail continuing into the Upper Tampa Bay Park.

This morning was brisk, about 40 ish in the shade. Yes, we wore shorts, which gave us the extra motivation to start spinning.

The trail itself follows a channel from Tampa Bay, some stream beds, past a rest station at Waters Avenue, crosses Sheldon, past the dump, the Citrus Park Mall and the Big Cat Rescue Center. Through some neighborhoods and even past some peacocks!

Its surface is well maintained, vegetation and wildlife galore. Total trip time was just over an hour including some time to read the historic plaques in the area. Since the trailhead is off of Old Memorial Hwy, there is a preserved section of the road and downtown Tampa is 15.5 miles away.

Good times with Herr Maus and Herr Frugalmeister.

Chiefland Bikefest

My brother Herr Professor and I participated in the Chiefland Bikefest back in November. It had been over 25 years since I participated in a quasi-supported tour and it was the Professor's first time.

The organizers were prepared for the first day of riding and the ride was very pleasant, long for me, but pleasant nonetheless. The planned rest stops were thought out and snacks were plentiful. Nice cool day to ride from Chiefland to Cedar Key. All told about 66 miles according to the Professor.

We followed SR 345 to SR 24 in Rosewood on clean two lane roads and out to the island. A quick rest and back to Chiefland through the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Reserve.

The following day was following the Nature Coast bicycle trail from Chiefland to Cross City. Beautiful day for a ride, through forest, farmland, over the great Suwannee River (I know what you're humming now!) and along US 19/98. Support for that day's 44 mile ride was less than expected, but hey I was riding with my brother and we stocked up before we left. We only wish our other brother, Herr Maus was with us. Perhaps next year!

Accomodations were provided by the Market Place RV Park as was our delicious breakfasts from the snack shack in the Flea Market. Folks it was delicious. Good ride, good weather and good times.

I'll post more and/or link to the rails to trails program during another entry. There is a yearly allocation of over $4.5M to purchase and preserve these trails so more of these trails can be converted.

Thanks for checking in and keep riding. Reduce that carbon footprint of yours!

The Stable

Welcome! I wanted to provide a bit of a history lesson and hopefully some lessons learned as I begin to rehab two bicycles in my stable.

Our stable at the Frugal household number 6 bicycles.
- 1999 Giant Acapulco hybrid (Henry); which has been my main bicycle for many years
- 2000 Cannondale Adventure 400 (Cyril) outfitted to be a road touring bicycle
- 1995 Cannondale 400 Mountain Bike (no name yet); one of the two bicycles in rehab
- 198? Royce-Unionish folding bicycle (Fred), single speed and in it's second life
- 1972 Raleigh Twenty folder (Oliver); the other rehab project

I'll post pictures of each bicycle shortly and will probably link them to their own page.

As we live in the Tampa Bay area, there are many converted trails available to explore. I hope to provide some detail and experiences as we tour along. I hope to provide anyone who lands on this blog some information that will assist them getting out and exploring along at 12 mph.