|
|
| Santos
Trailhead
Belleview Terrain: Singletrack trails on a firm limestone base. Camping, but no hunting. Helmets required. Definitely worth a day trip from anywhere! Skill To Get There: If you're coming from the north take I-75 south to Ocala, turn left (heading East) at the first Ocala exit, US 27. A few traffic lights later, turn right (heading south) on US 441 and proceed towards Bellview. You'll see the Florida Highway Patrol station in the widening median, and turn right (heading west) on 80th Street (CR 328) at the traffic light. If you pass the FHP, you've gone too far. If you're coming from the south take I-75 North and head east on College Road or Silver Springs boulevard, which parallel each other to 441. Follow the above directions from US 441. If you're coming from the turnpike (or I-75) and want to save some time, exit on 301 at Wildwood and continue north to 441. You'll go through Bellview, pass a bicycle shop, and the FHP station. Turn left (heading west) onto 80th street at the traffic light. There are two well marked entrances. Take 80th Street (CR 328) for less than 1/2 mile to the second entrance for mountain bikers. There is a second entrance on CR 475a accessible from Ocala or Belleview if you want to skip the ride to the land bridge.
This is my favorite place to ride in Florida because it essentially offers everything! There are horse trails, hiking trails, and mountain biking trails. Trails for horses and mountain bikes are kept separate, rarely ever joining together. Trails are well marked according to user type and skill level. These trails are a very popular weekend destination because the trails are really well designed. They aren't random: red trails really are hard and yellow trails are good for families with little kids. It's a great place to hone technical skills for the advanced rider, but chances are these riders already know about the Belleview trails. They probably know where to find the 50 foot drops, technical ridges, and ledges. Therefore this review focuses on beginner or intermediate interests. The Santos trailhead, as it is known, has singletrack that is fun because you'll discover trails that meander through a variety of terrain under the shade of pine forests. All trails have increasing, decreasing, and constant radius curves. There are roots, sandy patches, and rocks, but they do not exist in such profusion as to exasperate a beginner. I have introduced seven first timers and beginners, from teenagers to AARP members, to mountain biking here and they all had fun. Is there a risk of falling? Sure. It comes with the sport, but the key is to judge a section of trail without blindly riding into the unknown. To help avoid the unknown, the 30 miles of trails are well marked with yellow (easy), blue (moderate), and red (difficult) blazes. Some blue and red trails have short, steep climbs and descents. Beginner trails are geared towards the novice with wide swaths of flat trail. However, they are not boring and straight. They meander in the woods making a fun ride. Summer riding isn't too hot, but mosquitoes are plentiful. However, if you keep moving--even at a snail's pace--the mosquitoes can't keep up and you'll be fine. Find a non-wooded or sunny area if you need to stop for a break. Mosquitoes don't like to be out in the open. Bathrooms, water, picnic tables, bike wash, and camping are available. By the way, the trails were put in and are maintained by the Ocala Mountain Bike Club.
The singletrack extends all the way to I-75 where you can see and cross the famous land bridge! Trail markings are clear, but you might have to pedal 100 feet or so after crossing a road to get back on a trail. Trails continue on the other side of the land bridge, allowing you to easily bike 30+ off-road miles without retracing the same trails! If you wish to see the land bridge and not bike so far, you can exit in Ocala or Belleview from I-75. Head east and turn on 475A. Parking is on the west side of the road. If you intend to hike this is a good starting point since there are fewer mountain bikers and horses.
The $3.4 million land bridge was opened in September of 2000 and is an important link in the 100+ mile Florida greenway. The land set aside for the failed cross-Florida barge canal was acquired by the state in 1993. The bridge, formally known as the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway Land Bridge, is now part of a linear park known as the greenway. Marjorie Carr helped lead the fight against the barge canal, hence the mouthful of a name for this bridge. The Cross Florida Greenway is a pedestrian only path.
|
