Bike Deer Prairie Creek, The Northport Connector And Hidden Neighborhood.

Let's meet at the south entrance to Deer Prairie Creek Preserve off rt. 41 just south of Venice Ave. We will meet in the parking lot. We will bike the dirt trail north through the park which ends at what is now the Northport Connector of the Legacy Trail. We head south on the paved connector to trails end off Price Blvd. After a short water break we will bike north on the connector to where Forbes Rd. ( now part of the connector) meets Half Moon Rd. There is a small, interesting web of roads off that area that includes a lot of houses built on stilts. This area is in the flood plain of Deer Prairie/Myakka rivers. Thus the stilts. We can see the river as we bike. After exploring this area, depending on the heat and the energy lever of the bikers we can either continue up to the Carlton Reserve or head back along the connector and pick up the dirt trail back to our cars. Because of the 8 +/- miles of off road riding a hybrid bike is best. Or at least a wide tired street bike. Not a skinny tire Tour De France road racer. Bring lots of hydrating fluids, sun block, bug repellent, high energy snacks and bike helmet. We will take brief water breaks as needed. Potties at both north and south entrances to Deer Prairie and restrooms at Carlton Reserve. If you head south on rt. 41 past Venice ave you do a U-turn past the RV park and the going north on 41 the dirt road will be a right turn before you reach Venice Ave.