I have not done a long ride in a while, so I decided I’d head out on Friday for a longer ride to Anna Maria Island and back. I planned a route that would take me into some new territory – a neighborhood called Cortez that I have never ridden through, and an area called Palma Sola where I’ve only ridden in a small corner.
The weather report called for hot and humid conditions, with potentially strong thunderstorms in the afternoon. So I chose to leave the house very early – around 5:30 AM. It’s still dark around here at that time, so I spent the first hour or so of the ride in the dark. I really enjoy riding in the dark – everything is still and quiet, its cool and I feel as though I am riding in my own little bubble of light. Traffic is very light early in the morning near home, the headlight gives me a nice view of the road ahead and my tail light provides plenty of warning to approaching motorists.
The one drawback of riding in the dark is that it affords very few opportunities for photos. But the route I traveled is familiar to me as well as you, leading me though neighborhoods along mostly small quiet streets into down town Bradenton. Once in Bradenton, I travel along the Manatee River where I can see the pretty sunrise to the east.
The ride continues west though Bradenton. West Bradenton along the river is a great neighborhood to ride through – big, old houses on large properties and very quiet residential streets with little or no traffic. It’s a popular cycling route, and I see a number of other cyclists out for a morning spin.
Along the north-west corner of the ride are two interesting places to stop and look around. The first is the DeSoto National Memorial.
In May 1539, Hernando de Soto and an army of over 600 soldiers landed in theTampa Bay area. They arrived in nine ships laden with supplies: two hundred and twenty horses, a herd of pigs, war dogs, cannon, matchlock muskets, armor, tools, and rations. They were executing the order of King Charles V to sail to La Florida and “conquer, populate, and pacify” the land. By all accounts this mission was an unmitigated disaster. They marched from one village to the next, taking food and enslaving the native people to use as guides and porters. Hundreds of lives were lost on this calamitous four-year, 4,000 miles (6,400 km) journey. The mission of the De Soto National Memorial is to preserve the controversial story of this exploration and interpret its significance in American history.
Only a couple of miles from the Desoto National Monument in the Robinson Preserve. Robinson Preserve includes 487 acres of coastal saltern, marsh, and mangrove habitat. These systems attract a variety of rare wildlife, presenting observers with an opportunity to see roseate spoonbills, wood storks, white pelicans, bald eagles, and least terns in their natural environment. There are several miles of trails that can be ridden through the preserve. It’s a fun way to see it, and the views of the salt marsh and the many water birds are fantastic. It’s like have a little mini-everglades right in my backyard (almost).
After the ride through Robinson Preserve, my route takes me to beautiful Anna Maria Island. Anna Maria is a small island that lies between the Gulf Of Mexico and the Anna Maria Sound. It’s a popular vacation spot, covered with small beach cottages and very pretty water views. If you are planning to cycle here, pick your time carefully, as the narrow streets can get pretty congested during busy times in the tourist season. Luckily, September isn’t really tourist season, and I got there after the end of rush hour, so traffic was light. I didn’t really explore Anna Maria on this trip, as I was heading just a few miles south to head back around the Anna Maria Sound through the tiny town of Cortez.
I did ride out of my way slightly to get to the Pier in Bradenton Beach. It was my first time here, so I stop for a quick break. Lots of waterfront activity – boat rentals, fishing charters, sightseeing tours, a restaurant, and most important – public restrooms!
After my quick pit stop in Bradenton Beach, I turn eastward and inland once again and head toward Cortez. Cortex is a tiny Gulf coast commercial fishing village that was founded by settlers from North Carolina in the 1880s. A post office has been in operation at Cortez since 1888. The community may be named after Hernán Cortés, the Spanish Conquistador. You can learn all this, and more, by reading the historical marker on the road by the bridge leading into the town.
I’ve been told that Cortez is actually a pretty little historical fishing village with some nice shops and restaurants. I didn’t really see any of that, as my route kept me on the main road through the area. But now that I know I can get there safely on my bike, I’ll be back for sure to check it out in more detail.
Finally my ride turns north again, heading through the neighborhood of Palma Sola. Palma Sola runs up along the east side of Anna Maria Sound. Large waterfront houses with stunning views. By this time in my ride I was getting tired and the weather was getting very hot. Instead of stopping to take photos, I just booked as quickly as I could back to Bradenton, where I could stop for lunch then head for home.
A very nice ride all-in-all. 65 miles total. I learned how to get to some places, and found some spots I want to explore in more detail. When I go back out that way, I’ll be sure to write it up so you can hear about it as well…..