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.