For the past 10 days I have been vacationing on the Western coast of Florida. I was in Ft. Myers, Sarasota and Lutz, which is a suburb of Tampa, (who-knew). I brought my ‘B’ bike so I would be able to ride as much as possible. One of the problems I have when traveling to a new city is figuring out where to ride. When I can, I ask friends for riding recommendations, however I cannot always find people who know the bike paths and the ins and outs of the cities I am visiting.
The best solution has been to use the web sites of local bike shops. I simply fire-up goggle and use it to find local bike shops. I then go to each shop’s web site in the hope of mining the best rides. Data mining for bike rides worked extraordinarily well. In Ft. Myers I found a long stretch of road where I could do my interval training. I Sarasota I rode along Long Boat Key, which is where the various bike clubs do their training (Long Boat Key had long stretches with low traffic and very strong head winds, 15-20mph) and in Lutz I found a great path next to the Sun Coast Hgwy. The path was 40 miles long and had side trips through nature preserves. The preserves were really cool because it was like riding through the forests of Jurassic Park. (One rider told me to be careful of wild boar, they do have a tendency to chase people. What a great way to increase my LT and overall power, taunt a wild boar then ride like hell. I will have to tell Robbie.) Each ride was mapped on a local bike shop’s web site. The shop also had local group rides and contact numbers. Needless to say I had a great time on the rides.
Finally this is my last blog for 2009. My goal this year has been to write 1 blog a week that highlighted my adventures as an amateur cyclist trying to get better. I plan to keep writing my blog but at a slower pace in 2010. My new goal is 1 blog a month. I hope you have found the blogs fun and informative. I have had a blast riding and writing. May 2010 find you on the road and riding strong. Have a great season in 2010. JAM
