🌴Suncoast Outdoors🥾

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Day of event April @ 813-486-3713

Bike Ride & Lunch at the newest Florida Cracker Kitchen restaurant Paddy’s Porch (previously Shamrocks).
I am excited to try another Florida Cracker Kitchen restaurant. Especially this one. The Shamrock Inn has been a stable restaurant in Floral City since 1975 and sits just a few tire rotations from the trail. We will park in the designated parking area and walk to lunch after our ride. Lunch is not a requisite of the ride.
Let's cycle the Withlacoochee State Trail. This will be 12.5 miles out and back for a total of 25 miles APPROX.
We will meet at the Withlacoochee State Trail in Floral City at 8:45 am. and hit the trail as soon as we can. This section has some road crossings, particularly crossing Gobbler Rd, Eden Avenue, and a few crossings in Inverness. Once we leave Inverness and cross over into Hernando, then it becomes a little more rural again. However, we must stay alert for cars coming from Highway 41 as they tend to not be ready to stop. We have one major crossing which is at CR486 and HWY 41. This intersection requires us to turn west on CR486 and use the designated crossway. This is Lake Hernando Park (aka CR486 Trailhead). There are restrooms here so it’s a great stop and turnaround location, although we do cross a busy street to take our break.
Please take caution during all road crossings.
This section of the Withlacoochee State Trail is more populated because we are out of the forest, but it's still a lovely section. But you will encounter wide open sections that offer no shade, so be prepared for the sun.
Please come prepared and ready to ride. Helmets are required. All bicycles and riders are welcome. But you must be able to complete 25 miles. Additionally, your bicycle must be in good working order, tires inflated to the required tire pressure before you arrive. Tires lose tire pressure. Do NOT count on the air pressure. Check your air pressure before arriving at the trailhead.
There is no water on the trail, only at a few trailheads that have restroom facilities. Bring water, snacks, and fuel. If you do not have water with you, you will not be riding with the group. Water is a requirement! Thanks for your understanding.
Helmets Required!
NOTICE: When you ride with Suncoast Outdoors of Tampa, Florida, you understand and agree that you ride at your own risk to your person and property.

## Details

WARNING! We will be experiencing summer temperatures and humidity. There is a risk of heat stroke and exhaustion. Please do not take this lightly. You must bring 2 liters hydration AND be in adequate physical condition to do this. If you have medical conditions that may affect your ability to safely work outdoors, please do not take the risk.

Let's get to work! Suncoast Outdoors members greatly enjoy the use of this dual use single track (bike/hike) trail system along Morris Bridge Rd. It was built by and is maintained by SWAMP Club and Hillsborough County. We have been partnering with them for the past 2+ years.
Trail work may include:
• Cleaning and raking up fallen debris
• Trimming back overgrowth and deadfall
• Repairing hog damage, climbs and other damaged trail sections
You will need

• Loppers/ handsaws, insect spray
• Proper work clothing including gloves and footwear
• Tools may be available for loan

Lunch will be provided. IF YOU ARE COMING FOR SURE, text your PubSub sandwich request to Dave at 813 952 8762. Feel free to be specific about filling, bread, toppings, veggies etc. Dave is very accommodating.
Day use fee is waived for volunteers. You will sign a county waiver. In doing so you are covered under Hillsborough County workers comp in the event of a work related injury.

It is a former phosphate mining area that is being reclaimed by nature! When you are trekking around it is hard to imagine that at one time, not that long ago, you'd be hearing the incessant sound of heavy machinery, and smelling the pungent odor of diesel fuel.

Now the former mining pits are scenic ravines, filled with lush vegetation and water. The old mining roads are grassy, wide trails, with beautifully canopied trees adorned with Spanish moss.

This is one of the better venues for larger groups. The paths are wide and under shady canopy much of the time. You can hang out and visit side by side in small groups if you like.

The trails are generally dry as a result of their being largely up on the ridges of the pits. Sometimes there is some standing water on the first mile from the trail head. The whole walk has quite a bit of shade, with the exception of a one mile open prairie loop....dubbed the Serengeti by an old friend who loved this trail.

Bring 3 liters of water/hydration, ground cloth for sitting, whatever personal items you need, i.e. sanitation kit, snacks, insect repellent..

Water and restrooms at ballfields. (not guaranteed to be open)

Lenny
813 838 6834
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