🌴Suncoast Outdoors🥾

EVENT FULL

On a recent visit, our hikers lopped and trimmed palmetto fronds and overhanging branches on sections that needed a touch up.
They noted a section overgrown with brushy scrub which could not be effectively trimmed with their limb cutter type tools. So we will be out there with a string trimmer and long bladed hedge trimmers to cut this back.

This section of the trail receives very heavy traffic from the general public.
Let's get it finished up!

Wear long sleeves, pants, gloves, eye protection & proper footwear. Bring plenty of water.

YOUR RSVP TO ATTEND A "SUNCOAST OUTDOORS " SPONSORED EVENT IS YOUR EXPRESS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING AND UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE OF FULL PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND LIABILITY FOR ALL ASSOCIATED RISKS.

If you are curious about using a compass, here is a fun "class" and exercise we can do to learn basics. My compass skills are very elementary but I have enjoyed sharing this with our hiking groups, and homeschool kids in years past.

• You will just need a baseplate compass, nothing fancier than in the photo. A small note pad and pen to do some simple math might be helpful, unless you can do these in your head! I will have the maps.
• We will be in an unmaintained natural area of the park. So dress and prepare for an off trail hike. Bring water!
• The course was built some years back as an Eagle Scout Project. There are several courses of varying lengths. We will do the one mile, which is the shortest.
• We'll have a "classroom" session and you will head out in small teams 2-4 with staggered starts
• The exercise should take 2.5 hours or so, unless you get lost in the woods.
• There is no fee for this event.
• YOUR RSVP TO ATTEND A "SUNCOAST OUTDOORS " SPONSORED EVENT IS YOUR EXPRESS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING AND UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE OF FULL PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND LIABILITY FOR ALL ASSOCIATED RISKS.

If you bring a guest who is not currently a member of Suncoast Outdoors, you have assumed such liability for that guest. Your guest is free to join our group and register individually, thereby releasing you from any such liability.
Possible risks from participation include, but are not limited to:
Injury from a trip & fall, venomous snakes, stinging insects, venomous spiders, wildlife encounters, heat stroke, hypothermia, noxious vegetation, weather related injury, insect or airborne transmissible virus and disease, smoke inhalation, wildfire, falling trees, drowning

This ride has a MAJOR road crossing. Please read before signing up.

HELMETS. REQUIRED!
NOTICE: When you ride with Suncoast Outdoors, you understand and agree that you ride at your own risk to your person and property.

We will be cycling twenty miles total; ten miles out and back.
All skill levels are welcome. The average pace is 12 MPH but you can ride faster or slower, it's up to you. It would be beneficial for a group ride if you can maintain 12 MPH on average.

We will be cycling a section of the Van Fleet Trail. We meet at Van Fleet Trail - Polk City Trailhead. There are bathrooms in the park across from the trailhead.

We will go ten miles out and ten miles back for a total of 20 miles. We'll break at the 10-mile turnaround, but you are welcome to stop as needed for water. Just keep your breaks short. This trail is straight and flat. In the ten-mile stretch, we cross one MAJOR road. At the Deen Still Road Crossing, you will STOP and cross this road very carefully. Deen Still is a busy road, especially for huge trucks; you need to cross with care going out and back!

Deen Still is where the Florida Trail leaves the road walk heads down the trail and drops into Green Swamp.

The trail is Quiet, lovely, green, and flat trail. We have spotted wildlife each time we ride this trail. There is NO potable water on the trail. You must bring your water and plenty of it, it's hot out! If you do not have water with you to take on the trail you will not be able to join the ride, sorry. Bring fueling snacks for energy too.

All skill levels and bicycles are welcome, please be comfortable with a 20 mile ride. Helmets are REQUIRED! Please check your bicycle before arriving. Pump your tires up, adjust your seats, etc. before arriving. Thank you!

Additional information about the trail...
https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/managers-message-148

I understand that bicycling involves certain risks which I am prepared to fully assume for myself. I will follow all the traffic laws. I agree to waive all claims I may have against this meetup and host for damages or injuries sustained as a result of participating.