| Ride Stats |
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Distance:
71.28 miles
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Altitude Gain:
2,257 ft
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Avg Speed:
15.30 mph
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Route:
Okeechobee Trail
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Avg Grade: 0 %
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Max Grade: 0 %
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Max HR: 0 bpm
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Avg HR: 0 bpm
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Terrain: Road: Flat
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Bike: Look 585 Carbon Road
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Club: Schuyler County Cycling Club |
| Weather Conditions: Sunny 77 F WNW wind @ 18 mph |
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Had a roll over day as I transitioned from nightshift back on to days and opted to use the time to check out a little more of the Lost Trail that circumvents Lake Okeechobee. Did a litlle internet research to try to find out if any more sections of the trail had been upgraded to pavement. At least thirty miles of the hundred plus miles had been paved when I was last here a few years ago. Found some bad news as the trail was reported closed as the flood control dike on which the trail runs was being reenforced. Had a couple reports of some sections being open and others where riders had been kicked off. I had ridden thirty miles down the west side of the lake last time I was here and decided to explore the east side today. Temperature was warm but wind was again brutal. Started out poorly as the trailhead in Taylor Creek was fenced off in the southern direction. Had to travel five or six miles down highway 78 before I found an access point. Shoulder was wide and traffic was mild and covered the miles fast with the tailwind. The next trailhead was open and climbed up to the top of the dike and rode on a paved section of trail for the next fifteen miles. The lake is wide enough that the other side is not visible and with the wind pushing large whitecaps the lake could have passed for the ocean. Dike is above the treeline of palms and scrub brush and so there was no shelter from the wind. The way out was a following crosswind and riding was easy but thought I might have to dedicate a little more energy on the return trip. Had to come down off the trail to use a bridge to cross a river near Indiantown and found the trail was under construction on the other side of the river. The trail wasn't fenced off though and passed through the idle construction equipment and continued on the trail. The pavement had ended but the surface of hard packed sand was still ridable. Had to dismount a couple of times and portage through a couple of sections that had been dug up and soon tired of riding the sandy surface. Unfortunately had to ride another fifteen miles as all the trailheads were fenced off and I was trapped inside. Could see the road from the trail but was separated by a canal and sections of swamp where the trail wasn't fenced off. Opted to ride the sand rather than risk wading through the gator and snake infested swampland. Had planned on only riding sixty miles today but had to go thrirty five before I was able to leave the trail at a lakeside park in Pahokee. Had a crunchy bar to celebrate escaping the trail and started the long ride back into the wind. Avoided the trail and stayed on the highway where the wind wasn't as bad being in the lee of the dike for most of the way back. Checked the map and found out that I had only made it two thirds of the way down the east side. Plan to ride around the lake at some point before I leave but it will make for a long day as the loop is reported to be between 110 and 140 miles depending on detours. Enjoyed the ride in the warm sun but could have done without the wind.
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