I spend a lot of time cycling the roads and trails nearest my home here in Lakewood Ranch. So it is always exciting when a new route opens up that provides a different route from home. Recently, a new way out of Lakewood Ranch, into the areas north of SR64 has become available. This may be old news to the folks that are more plugged into the cycling community here in the Ranch, but for me this new route is kind of a big deal.
Category Archives: Street Rides
Emerson Point Revisited
When I arrived in Florida, the first long ride I tried was from my home in Lakewood Ranch out to The Emerson Point Preserve in Palmetto. I reported that ride here on The Recumbent Gourmet.
At the time (May), the weather was really hot, and I didn’t have enough time at The Preserve before I had to turn back for home. So yesterday, I decided to repeat that ride, and explore the place in more detail. Boy, am I glad I went back! The place is much larger, and much prettier, then I thought after my first visit.
Riding South From Linger Lodge
A quick post today – really only of interest to cyclists here in Lakewood Ranch. Every local cyclist I know has lamented that there is no way to ride south into Sarasota after crossing the I75 Freeway on Linger Lodge Road. But I’m here to tell you, there is a way. It’s not a great way., Many people will say it’s not worth the effort, but it is possible to cross the Freeway on Linger Lodge Road and then ride south toward Sarasota.
Loop Around Anna Maria Sound
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.
Ride to Nathan Benderson Park and Breakfast
It was a humid (for a change) morning in Lakewood Ranch when Mike and I decided to ride to Benderson Rowing Park. It is a 20 mile loop round trip with the pool waiting for us at the end of the trip.
Continue reading Ride to Nathan Benderson Park and Breakfast
A Ride to Lake Manatee
We decided to ride our trikes from our house in Lakewood Ranch to go to Lake Manatee State Park. Our 28 mile ride took us into the country past many cattle, horse, and goat ranches.
Hey! Where’s your bird?
August 12, 2015
On Wednesday, I decided to venture into some unexplored territory on my ride. I’ve wanted to explore an area called Terra Ceia, a small island north of nearby Bradenton that includes a lot of wetlands and a large aquatic preserve. I calculated it was about 50 miles to get there and ride around the island, so I arranged with Nancy to meet me for lunch at a restaurant close to the island. This has all the makings of an excellent day!
Ride Report: Lakewood Ranch to Emerson Point Preserve.
Emerson Point Preserve is a 365 acre preserve at the tip of Snead Island in western Palmetto. This morning I rode the approximately 45 miles round trip from my home in Lakewood Ranch to check it out.
I worried a lot about the route – since it does travel along one of the busy east-west corridors in Manatee County (State Road 64). I would also need to cross the I-75. Crossing an interstate highway is always a challenge on a bicycle.
Continue reading Ride Report: Lakewood Ranch to Emerson Point Preserve.
Newport Beach to San Diego (Torrey Pines)
August 1, 2011
As Mike explained in an earlier post, I (Nancy) had my first mini-tour experience in Ojai. Well, I didn’t get enough, so we decided to take a trip to San Diego from our home in Newport Beachto celebrate our 24th wedding anniversary. It is about 85 miles total. We decided to ride about 30 miles each day, so I set about looking for hotels that would work for us. I am a compulsive planner and want to make sure the hotels are really good (not just decent).