Orlando Bike Rides

Last weekend 8-08-09, I was out of town for my sons baptism at our old church in Jacksonville, Florida. What a glorious day!!! I hooked up with my old ride in Jacksonville – Velobrew from the Open Road Bike Shop. There was a nice gang of about 60 riders. The ride is typically a fast ride for about 35 miles. We started out cruising south on San Jose Blvd from Lakeshore area. We kept it tight for the first 5 miles rolling at about 22 mph. Right before the turn on Beauclerc there was jockeying for position and at the turn you do not want to be at the back because they start rolling and by the time you take the turn they are on stride at about 26 mph. They continue at that speed for the remainder of that road until there is a left turn on Scott Mill Road where the group again takes off and on this stretch maintain about 30 mph and riders start falling. You really have to be aware or you could be playing catch up and burn up your gas quick.  There is a slight slow down transitioning onto Mandarin Road where the goal seems to be drop as many riders as possible. Group is down to about 40 on the Mandarin Road turn and the pace quicken to 30+. On the west end of Mandarin Road the group gets into a grove at about 25+. The group regroups at the turn that goes onto San Jose Blvd again to cross the Julington Creek bridge at 25+ the ride continues through JC swings back around and doubles back to Open Road Bike Shop. Great ride. Not a real opportunity to meet people on Saturdays because of the intensity but their Sunday ride is a really friendly ride last I knew it was about 65 miles but at a consistent 20-22 mph speed. Everyone gets an opportunity to pull if they like and just a good opportunity to meet the fellas. Thanks Velobrew Cycling Club  and Open Road Bike Shop.

Three (3) rides depart from Lakemont Elementary School (901 North Lakemont Avenue in Winter Park) Saturday, at 7:30 a.m:

(1)     the 41-mile Oviedo Loop – three (3) groups: the first (25+ mph) goes straight through; the second (23+ mph) goes straight through; and the third (20+ mph) stops at the 7-11 halfway to tell jokes;
(2)     the extended Oviedo Loop – 56 miles; usually, very, very fast.  If you get dropped, you will be left.
(3)     the Fort Christmas Jaunt - (65 miles) going off the back of the third group of Oviedo Loop riders, turn right at the fire station east of UCF and assemble.
For Sunday, show up at Lakemont Elementary at 7:30 a.m. – the group decides the route!

On Saturday, 7/18/09, morning I woke early with the expectation of cranking out a good workout.It has been a while for me something always comes up when I plan on riding. In addition I just found a group in my neighborhood East Side Cycle Club. I woke up at 6:00 AM for the 6:45 meeting at Avalon Park YMCA checked my gear ate a granola bar and rode my bike over to the local gas station to put a little air in my tires. I had my water bottles filled, food for my tank and rock hard tires for the road, everything was in good shape. I rolled up on the group at the Avalon Park YMCA. Met a couple of guys as I am brand new to the group. We rolled out heading north on Avalon Park Boulevard at a moderate pace warming up for the ride. As I turned the first corner I noticed a little wobble in my back tire and immediately knew it was my tire losing air pressure. I informed one of the members of the ride and he asked if I could make it to Fort Christmas. I did not make it on Colonial Drive (50) my tire blew out and the group kept on trucking as I was left changing my tire. After a few minutes I was back on my bike but unfortunately I did not know the route so started my own ride. I approached Lake Picket I saw a group roll past and I thought it was the group I started with and started cranking. After a few miles I caught the group of 6. I asked one of the riders where the rest of the group was and they told me they are a group that came from UCF (University of Central Florida). They also said my group was riding in the other direction. I turned around and headed down roads I did not know until I finally arrived on Highway 50 (Colonial). I headed home after a good solo ride. More to come on my bike adventures.

The Windermere Sunday Ride

Start time: 8:10am
Start location: Windermere Elementary School
Distance and pace: Varies, depending on what group you end up with.

One of the most popular rides in Florida, the Windermere Sunday Ride is a staple of Central Florida Cycling. The first 6 miles of the ride are usually very nice and social but, at the turn at Marsh Rd, the racers open hammer. Marsh Rd is always very fast and it’s usually where the group will break up into several packs of different skilled riders. About 1 mile before US27, the racers will turn right at Hancock Rd en route to their brutal hill workout of approximately 75 miles. Most of the rest of the groups will continue on to US27 and on to do their own rides. One of the most popular routes is the now famous Groveland Loop. A flat and very fast ride for those not too crazy about the hills.

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced racer, the Sunday ride has something for you.

The Windermere Wednesday Ride

Start time: 6:00pm
Start location: Windermere Elementary School
Distance and pace: Approximately 45 miles at speeds of no less than 25mph

The Windy Wednesday Ride is on of the fastest and hardest rides of the week. This is not a ride for the faint of heart. And definitely not a ride for beginners. This is a ride for those who think they have what it takes to hang with the big dogs. The ride is an all-for-none hammerfest of pure pain and misery over 45 miles of what we call The Fruit Loop. So if you have the legs, lungs and guts, come on out for some fast fun!

The Windermere Thursday Ride

Start time: 6:00pm
Start location: Windermere Elementary School
Distance and pace: Approximately 45 miles at a recovery pace

The Thursday ride covers the same route as the Wednesday ride, but at much more relaxed speeds. The group likes to call it a ‘recovery’ ride. Most of the group stays together and tries to adhere to a ‘no drop’ rule. It’s a perfect ride for anyone looking to get a great mid-week workout in. As of late, this has become one of the biggest rides out of Windermere (next to Sunday of course).

The Windermere Saturday Ride

Start time: 8:00am
Start location: Windermere Elementary School
Distance and pace: 55-75 miles at an average of about 20-22mph

The route and speed of the Saturday rides varies, depending on who shows up. It’s a much smaller group than on Sundays. Usually Saturday is a good training day to get in long base miles or hill training.

Scheduled Rides

weekly training rides

**Saturdays, 7:00am departure from the Avalon Park YMCA

A Group: 40 to 50 miles, 20mph+ average, 23/24mph pulls

B Group: 30 miles, 18/19mph average, 20mph pulls

Hal Scott Preserve rides – all-terrain cyclists

**Wednesdays, 6:30pm departure from the Avalon Park YMCA

A Group: 25 to 30 miles, 20mph+ average, 23/24mph pulls

B Group: 20 miles, 18/19mph average, 20mph pulls

YMCA Y-Tri Group: 20+ miles, group non drafting

We’re ALWAYS in need of weekly group captains so please contact Jim @ 407 902.6686 or Gordon 407.489.0918 if you’re planning on riding and can be a group captain.

**2009-07-18 07:30:00 Anderson Amble

Category: A
Distance: 60
Contact: Ben Anderson – 321-945-7090
Directions: West Orange Trail – Florida Turnpike to SR-50 (Exit 272); West on SR-50 to Oakland Blvd (2nd light); right on Oakland Blvd then immediate left on SR-438; 0.5 mile on left

Map to Start: Click for Google Map to ride start****

**2009-07-18 08:00:00 Sylvan Lake Park

Category: B C
Distance: 41/47
Contact: Bob James – 407-304-6319
Directions: Sylvan Lake Park – I-4 to SR-46; West on SR-46 3.1 miles to Lake Markham Rd; left on Lake Markham Rd for 0.7 mile; park entrance on left

Map to Start: Click for Google Map to ride start****

**2009-07-18 08:00:00 Lake Monroe Loop

Category: D
Distance: 25
Contact: Phil Mings / 407-491-4835
Directions: Lake Monroe Marina – Exit SR-46 off I-4 in Sanford (Exit 101C); East on SR-46 to US-17/92; left of US-17/92 towards Lake Monroe; bear right to lake; right on Seminole Blvd; park in Municipal Lot across from Sanford Marina

Map to Start: Click for Google Map to ride start****

**2009-07-18 08:00:00 Cady Goes to College

Category: S
Distance: 20
Contact: Ruby Gaidry – 407-830-6229
Directions: Cady Way Park – At University Blvd & SR-436; go West on Scarlet Rd; left on Ranger Blvd; right on Cady Way; 0.25 miles on right

Map to Start: Click for Google Map to ride start****

**2009-07-18 08:00:00 B3 Breakfast Ride

Category: T
Distance: 30
Contact: Tito Santiago – 407-275-3261
Directions: Dean Road at Blanchard Park – From SR 436 (Semoran Blvd) go east on SR 50 (Colonial Dr) for 4.2 miles. Turn left (North) on Dean Rd for .5 miles to Blanchard Park on the right.

Map to Start: Click for Google Map to ride start****

**2009-07-19 08:00:00 Lake Yale Loops

Category: A B
Distance: 40/50
Contact: Bob James – 407-304-6319
Directions: Gilbert Park – US-441 North through Apopka; left at CR-500A (Old 441); left on Liberty Ave (2nd flashing traffic light); park is 0.25 miles on right

Map to Start: Click for Google Map to ride start****

**2009-07-19 08:00:00 Lake Lucie

Category: T
Distance: 30
Contact: Jack Elliot – 407-365-6338
Directions: Rock Springs Publix – US-441 North to Apopka; right on Park Ave (CR-435) for 2.3 miles; Publix is on right; park along Park Ave./Rock Springs Rd. edge of parking lot.

Map to Start: Click for Google Map to ride start****

This blog is specifically for bicycle riders in Orlando area. I moved here and could never find an a site that listed all rides. If you ride with a group or want to post here details of your ride so those that are new or visiting can easily find a place to ride.