Now I remember why I moved to Clearwater Florida.....

"iLiad" <[email hidden]> wrote in :"]news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

Because of the [censored] that run Dave Cleary off the road. The pinellas trail is here, 36 miles,
paved, and the major intersections have "bridges" built over them to travel across. It is a
rails-to-trails project. THe gentleman who spearheaded it had his son killed in a bicycle
accident. I wish every major city had such trails!!!!

Well, since Duh-W just cut all the money for such projects to nothing, probably not gonna happen.

Damn that does look like a nice trail

pinellascounty.orgoverview map.pdfOpen ↗

"iLiad" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Because of the [censored] that run Dave Cleary off the road. The pinellas trail is here, 36 miles,
paved, and the major intersections have "bridges" built over them to travel across. It is a
rails-to-trails project. THe gentleman who spearheaded it had his son killed in a bicycle
accident. I wish every major city had such trails!!!!

"iLiad" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Because of the [censored] that run Dave Cleary off the road. The pinellas trail is here, 36 miles,
paved, and the major intersections have "bridges" built over them to travel across.

36 MILES? Clearwater is that big? Sure beats the bike trail across the street from my home by 34
miles! Sounds like heaven on earth not fighting with tourists and their humungeous land yachts.

I am getting sick and tired of these "spare the air" days and that brown cloud of silicon
valley smog encroaching over the hill while fighting for 2 miles of bike path and being forced
to the street.

Chris Jordan Denial Acres (!) Santa Cruz, CA.

Quoted message said:

It is a rails-to-trails project. THe gentleman who spearheaded it had his son killed in a bicycle
accident. I wish every major city had such trails!!!!

Believe it or not, last I checked the funding was still there. Demo's and some other common sense
politico's voted it in DUmB YA lost this round Denny "MLB" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"iLiad" <[email hidden]> wrote in :"]news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

Because of the [censored] that run Dave Cleary off the road. The pinellas trail is here, 36 miles,
paved, and the major intersections have "bridges" built over them to travel across. It is a
rails-to-trails project. THe gentleman who spearheaded it had his son killed in a bicycle
accident. I wish every major city had such trails!!!!

Well, since Duh-W just cut all the money for such projects to nothing, probably not gonna happen.

MLB <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Well, since Duh-W just cut all the money for such projects to nothing, probably not gonna happen.

Are you sure Mr. Bush cut all that money? I got e-mails saying at the last minute we were saved.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Members of the U.S. House approved an amendment Thursday to the 2004

Transportation Appropriations Bill to keep federal funds earmarked for bicycle and pedestrian
pathways.<<

Don

jhzone.comviewinfo.cfmOpen ↗

I'm doing the Pinellas in late October. Is the Honeymoon Island spur included in the 47 mile total
for the Pinellas? If not how many miles does it add and how scenic is it?

By the way I used to ride with Ed Logan every winter until he moved from Florida's west coast to the
east coast. He's pretty good with the quotes.

Thanks Mike (polished GRR)

"iLiad" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I actually live in Dunedin, a little north of clearwater. The trail runs from St. Petersburg up
to Tarpon Springs. The trail is awesome. There is a causeway about 1/2 mile south of me that
runs out to the Gulf of Mexico and an island called "Honeymoon Island". I ride down there almost
every night.

Quoted message said:

"Lifestyle is everything. Sell the House!" Ed Logan - Palm Coast, Florida

forced to the street.

The biggest factor was my son's asthma. We have found out that the winter is the main factor in
triggering his particular asthma. It is a very serious condition, 911 calls, the whole bit. So we
had a choice to winter somewhere warm, like San Diego, or Florida.

The second factor was riding. I wanted someplace I could ride year round, that was bicycle friendly.
San Diego is nice enough by the beach and what not, but the cost of living was just too much.

Finally, the work here is fairly good for what I do, Network Security. Though I mainly travel for
what I do, I need to be close to an airport. But in the future that could change.

We are originally from Washington State, moved to Tennessee four years ago, then to Florida. I lived
in Alaska as well, as a child. So I have kind of had a bee line from Alaska to Florida. Tennessee is
one of the worst states for Asthma sufferers. And, surprisingly, Florida is one of the best.

<[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

The nicest part is the year round weather for riding, though I just

arrived

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

here so haven't actually rode year round yet.

What brought you down to that part of the USA?

And where did you move from?

Im just curious as Ive thought abt locating there as well

I'm not sure where they get their mileage from. I have seen some sites say 36 miles and others as
long as 48. They must be including the causeway in the total, and from the map link that someone
posted here, it looks like there is a spur of trail that isn't connected on the North East portion.
If you go from St. Pete' to Tarpon it is 36 miles.

The causeway is scenic. It is considered part of the trail, but there are a LOT of people walking,
etc. on it, and they really don't pay attention to their surroundings. So you have to slow up quite
a bit, but it is worth it for the scenery. For a 1.00 charge, you can continue on to honey moon
island. Total mileage one way is about 3.5 miles or so. If you go all the way to honeymoon island
you are probably adding say, 8 miles (round trip). If you go on a weekday the trail (and causeway)
is almost deserted, though I imagine that will change when the snowbirds get here. On the weekend it
can be fairly busy, but it is still easy to ride on.

If you are looking for a nice beach, you might consider adding clearwater beach as a way point. It
isn't terribly hard to get to from the trail, and there are bike paths the whole way over.

What are you riding?

"Michael Grimes" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I'm doing the Pinellas in late October. Is the Honeymoon Island spur included in the 47 mile total
for the Pinellas? If not how many miles does it add and how scenic is it?

By the way I used to ride with Ed Logan every winter until he moved from Florida's west coast to
the east coast. He's pretty good with the quotes.

Thanks Mike (polished GRR)

"iLiad" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I actually live in Dunedin, a little north of clearwater. The trail runs from St. Petersburg up
to Tarpon Springs. The trail is awesome. There is a causeway about 1/2 mile south of me

that

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

runs out to the Gulf of Mexico and an island called "Honeymoon Island". I ride down there almost
every night.

Quoted message said:

"Lifestyle is everything. Sell the House!" Ed Logan - Palm Coast, Florida

forced to the street.

I will be riding an Easy Racer Gold Rush with at least 1 other rider on an upright. We are planning
on touring 5 bike trails in central Florida.

Mike

What are the five bike trails in Florida, where are they located, and what can you tell us
about them.

Ian

"Mike" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I will be riding an Easy Racer Gold Rush with at least 1 other rider on an upright. We are
planning on touring 5 bike trails in central Florida.

Mike

"Ian Levit" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

What are the five bike trails in Florida, where are they located, and what can you tell us
about them.

Might be these, although they aren't all "central."

trailsfromrails.comflorida.htmOpen ↗

St. Marks was ok, not that scenic, but shaded. The town of St. Marks has an historic site, but
beyond that is basically a fish camp.

I like the Withlacochee. It is real rural Florida - in the middle of nowhere. Great recumbent shop
on the trail - Hampton's Edge. Rentals might be a possibility there. Shop sits under tall trees by
the side of the trail.

There was another trail to the east of that one that isn't on the map and I can't remember the name
of, Van Fleet maybe, yes:

floridastateparks.orgdefault.aspOpen ↗

I think the locals liked the Withlacochee because it goes through several towns.

Seems like there would be a lot of intersections on the Pinellas trail. IIRC part of it ran smack
down the middle of the street in downtown Clearwater on an old street car right of way. Didn't look
very practical at that point.

I haven't been on the West Orange Trail.

John Riley

There are a lot of interesections in parts. However, almost all the intersections are four way
stops. A few are two way with bikes not having to stop, and a few you have to stop. To our suprise,
about 95% or better of all motorists will give you the right of way and flag you through the
intersections as well. The way I look at it is, to be in a major city, and have 36 miles, one way,
of bike trail, I can handle a few intersections.

I've ridden it through clearwater and had no complaints as far as the trail went. Wasn't perfect,
but certainly was practical.

"john riley" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Ian Levit" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

What are the five bike trails in Florida, where are they located, and

what

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

can you tell us about them.

Might be these, although they aren't all "central."

trailsfromrails.comflorida.htmOpen ↗

St. Marks was ok, not that scenic, but shaded. The town of St. Marks has an historic site, but
beyond that is basically a fish camp.

I like the Withlacochee. It is real rural Florida - in the middle of nowhere. Great recumbent shop
on the trail - Hampton's Edge. Rentals might be a possibility there. Shop sits under tall trees by
the side of the trail.

There was another trail to the east of that one that isn't on the map and I can't remember the
name of, Van Fleet maybe, yes:

floridastateparks.orgdefault.aspOpen ↗

I think the locals liked the Withlacochee because it goes through several towns.

Seems like there would be a lot of intersections on the Pinellas trail. IIRC part of it ran smack
down the middle of the street in downtown Clearwater on an old street car right of way. Didn't
look very practical at that point.

I haven't been on the West Orange Trail.

John Riley

Check out my web page at:

geocities.comtrailride.htmlOpen ↗

I might just have to steal...errr...borrow your plans ;-) Looks like fun! Post back how it goes.

"Mike" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Check out my web page at:

geocities.comtrailride.htmlOpen ↗

Quoted message said:

We are originally from Washington State, moved to Tennessee four years ago, then to Florida. I
lived in Alaska as well, as a child. So I have kind of had a bee line from Alaska to Florida.
Tennessee is one of the worst states for Asthma sufferers. And, surprisingly, Florida is one of
the best.

OK... was just curious what took you to that area of Florida.

Im in Missouri....and used to work at a company here in Missouri that also has two sister plants in
the Sarasota area. Ive often thought abt going back to work for them but at the plants in Florida.

Isn't Sarasota close to where you are at?

Im a bike rider as well and it would sure be nice to get away from Missouri winters and such!

Sarasota is "close", about an hour and a half south I believe. I'm not sure how bicycle friendly it
is down there, though I wouldn't imagine it would be too bad. I can't wait to ride all winter long.
I normally gain about 10 pounds or more during the Winter and get out of shape, so it will be nice
to have one wardrobe for a while....

<[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

We are originally from Washington State, moved to Tennessee four years

ago,

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

then to Florida. I lived in Alaska as well, as a child. So I have kind of had a bee line

from

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Alaska to Florida. Tennessee is one of the worst states for Asthma sufferers. And, surprisingly,
Florida is one of the best.

OK... was just curious what took you to that area of Florida.

Im in Missouri....and used to work at a company here in Missouri that also has two sister plants
in the Sarasota area. Ive often thought abt going back to work for them but at the plants in
Florida.

Isn't Sarasota close to where you are at?

Im a bike rider as well and it would sure be nice to get away from Missouri winters and such!

Quoted message said:

Sarasota is "close", about an hour and a half south I believe. I'm not sure how bicycle friendly it
is down there, though I wouldn't imagine it would be too bad. I can't wait to ride all winter long.
I normally gain about 10 pounds or more during the Winter and get out of shape, so it will be nice
to have one wardrobe for a while....

Yes..... riding ALL year would be SO NICE!!! I agree!

And like you I seem to be able to exercise fine during the warmer months up here in Missouri.... buy
boy once winter sets in I don't want to do ANYTHING!! lol

I may very well take some vacation time off and god down there and check the area out and the job
scene as well