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| Welcome to the "Exploring with Clark and Pam Website" | ||||
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Wilderness Trekker Weekend Overview! Clark will be hosting a 2-day biking trip for the Wilderness Trekkers on March 29th and 30th with the base camp at Paynes Prairie State Park just south of Gainesville. In general, the Saturday ride starts at 9:30 from within the park and will involve a 31.5-mile leader ride, mostly in north Marion County. There is an alternate 40-mile leaderless ride that encompasses most of the same route, maps provided for this extented route. The Sunday ride starts at 10:00 and will be the Gainesville-Hawthorne Rails-to-Trails bike path. The Sunday ride will include a 36-mile trip and a 20-mile trip. The intent of the weekend event is a bike-and-camp extravaganza; after all, we are "wilderness" types; however, single day riders are certainly welcome. In fact, the reason for the mid-morning start times is to enable day riders arriving that morning to join in. Click on the links above for daily activities and even more details regarding the rides and the weekend. Also, return to this website prior to the weekend to see if there are any changes or additional information that people may have let me know about since this published time. If you have additional questions, comments and of course you must RSVP, please contact Clark at "cagola1 at aol.com" or evening phone at 407 855 5351 |
If
you intend to camp at Paynes Prairie, you are too late as the park is
full. However, there is an alternative. There is a campground that is 21 miles away in Williston called Devils Den. They said they have tent camping all the time. You judge for yourself as they have a website and some pictures. Actually the place looks quite interesting because it at a springhead. Devil's Den As the event leader, I am camping both Friday and Saturday nights at Paynes Prairie Puc Puggy campground, arriving sometime around 4:30 PM. In the past, I have checked the on-line reservation system for a given state park and have actually acquired a reservation after someone had relequished theirs. Probably first thing in the morning is a good time as people decide and act in the evening to cancel. Each camper is responsible for their own reservations. Many of you might not have the opportunity to get out of town early enough on Friday. Never the less, you can start your camping after we return from the Saturday bike ride. However, please give yourself plenty of time to check-in way before the 9:30 departure if you plan on staying over on Saturday. Camping check-in will take you a little longer than if you are coming for the day, so leave early to take care of the camping check-in process at the gate. |
| Leisurely, Moderate or Strenuous? All levels of cyclists are welcome and can be accommodated on both rides. If 31.5 miles seems too intimidating, we can make arrangements for you to join the group along the way. Also, if 11 to 15 MPH and just 40 miles is too wimpy, I have suggestions for additional travel routes to allow you or your special group to hit the roads smokin' . The intention of the weekend is to get folks out into an area of Florida typicially overlooked, while at the same time, cycling with friends and returning to a social gathering. As leader, my intention is to take in the sights and refreshment that this remote part of our wonderful state has to offer. If you want additionial information to accommodate your level of cycling, just write me and I can answer and provide proposals. |