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Dirt Rag Fresh Dirt
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12.30.2005
Florida Rocks
By: Jeff Guerrero
 If there's one thing I've learned in five years of mountain biking it's that you don't need mountains to have great mountain biking. Case in point—Florida.
I recently visited my grandmother in the Orlando area for the holidays, and took a couple days to sample the Sunshine State's singletrack. I posted a thread on our site and one on the Ocala Mountain Bike Association's website. I ended up riding two distinctly different trails, each led by two distinctly different individuals.
On the day after Christmas (also the second day of Hanukkah this year) I found myself riding in 65 degree weather. God bless Florida. OMBA member and active trail builder, Rob Ern, was kind enough to show me around the trails at Santos (about 1.5 hours north of Orlando). The trails range from lightning fast slalom runs through the pines to an ultra-technical medly of roots and limestone. Santos has an estimated 60 miles of trail thus far, and since the greenway stretches nearly the width of the state, there is no telling how many miles of trail can be built.
The following day I joined Jay and Surly Bruce for what they call a "training ride" at Snowhill, just a half hour east of Orlando. Even though I didn’t know the trails (and it showed) I felt right at home. Whereas the trails at Santos are either hard or easy and the vegetation is comprised of mostly oak and pine trees, Snowhill is like a run through the jungle where riders face a random barrage of obstacles. We managed to put in well over two hours despite there only being a claimed 7 to 10 miles of trail. At the end of the ride Bruce handed me a bottle of the finest orange juice I’ve ever had and a true Florida delicacy —chocolate covered potato chips. You’ve just got to try them for yourself.
Anyhow, here's some photos from Santos, and here’s some photos from Snowhill. The photos aren’t up to National Geographic standards, but you’ll get an idea of what it’s like. If you happen to be heading to Florida for a family vacation, I highly recommend bringing or renting a bike. Oh, and thanks again to Rob, Bruce, Jay, Larry and everyone else who I met in Florida. Afterall, the only thing better than the trails down south is the people.
Ed note: you can discuss this story in the Dirt Rag Forums.
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