Below is a note from Maria Bailey, a fellow Women Who Rides and a member of the “Wheelin’ Women”. Maria shares their story of riding 385 miles in 6 days. Way to go ladies!
Wheelin’ Women, No I’m not talking about lady truckers, but about 12 women (11 bicyclists and 1 Supply and Gear van driver) who spent a week in motion on bicycles. We were participating in the 2nd Annual Florida All Women’s Bicycle Ride (April 20-25). This group of women rode from south of Tallahassee (St Marks) to Punta Gorda, Florida. After logging 385 miles in 6 days we were greeted at the Acme Bicycle Shop with champagne and roses. The owner of the shop, Karen Freeman organized and led the ride.
The riders were a varied group with ages ranging from 29 to 73 as were their bicycles, from aluminum to ultra-light carbon composites, from upright to recumbent. Three riders participated in last year’s ride but the majority was composed of first-timers. One rider came from Vermont, and the SAG driver, Carla who is Karen’s sister came from Ohio, and another joined us from Bradenton. Our reasons for taking this challenge were as varied as we were. Some rode for the health of it, some for the fun of it and some to prove to themselves that they could meet the challenge to go the distance (without men to help). Our diversity seemed to be our strength; the wide variety of personal differences helped us form new and strong bonds of trust and friendship.
The ride was well organized with route maps, motel rooms, snacks and drinks provided. One of the most welcome additions was camaraderie shared before, during and after each day’s ride. Even the weather was factored in! Somehow we never got rained on. How did you do that, Karen? The mornings were always cool and clear followed by lots of sunshine during the day. We were favored with tailwinds more than headwinds. How did you do that, Karen? The typical daily routine included breakfast at 7AM followed by tire air pressure checkups, loading up on water and nutritional foods, applying sunscreen and reviewing the day’s route map. Group photo opportunities of the “Wheelin’ Women” were plentiful. The evening schedule included, happy hour, swim time at the pool and a dinner outing topped off with ice cream if we could find it.
Prior to the ride, Acme Bicycle Shop offered bicycle maintenance and tire repair workshop for us This greatly eased the stress associated with fixing a flat tire. During the ride when a flat happened, it was with “racing team pit crew” speed that the problem was quickly remedied. In action, one handled the wrench; one handled the pump; another tire and we were quickly back riding. Riding with this group was a joy, pedaling, sharing conversation with episodes of singing and laughing in between.
We all shared a sentiment of amazement at what we had accomplished. 11 ordinary, middle-aged women traveling 385 miles by riding bicycles six days in a row. This is how we did it:
Day 1 - Crawfordsville to Perry. Here we met Kristy’s father Rich Halverson who is the Regional Florida Bicycle Trail manager. He and his wife had driven down from Georgia to see us off on the historic Saint Mark’s Railroad Trail. Later, we saw a pair of deer along the roadside.
Day 2 - Perry to Chiefland on the “Nature Coast State Trail”. In Cross City the mayor, Kenneth “Tank” Lee welcomed us to his city and rider Kristy’s grandmother brought us home made chocolate chip cookies. While in Cross City we were interviewed and photographed by the “Dixie County Advocate” and the “Dixie County Times”. We felt like celebrities, and even more so when we read the glowing reports.
Day 3 - Chiefland to Inverness on the “North end of Withlachoochee Trail”. In Williston we visited a peanut factory outlet. Chocolate Peanuts are health and energy food aren’t they? This day rewarded us with many hills. The only good part of a hill is the down part when you can give the legs a moment of rest.
Day 4 - Inverness to Tarpon Springs on the South end of Withlachoochee and the Suncoast Trail. This was a big mileage day where we covered 85 miles. On the Withlachoochee Trail we helped a Gopher Tortoise cross. Kristy got a big kick from him for her efforts. Would it be strange to note that we all had really big appetites that night?
Day 5 - Tarpon Springs to Sarasota on the Pinellas Trail. While in Tarpon Springs we spent the morning shopping and sightseeing the sponge-docks. After a brief stop to visit Karen’s friends, Joan and Jim, we spent the afternoon tackling the steep grades leading to bridges over the many roads that crossed the trail as we neared St. Petersburg.
Day 6 - Sarasota to Punta Gorda on the Legacy Trail and the Venice Waterway Trail. Our last climb over the Peace River Bridge was a cakewalk compared to what we had done the day before.
With the leisurely pace of the ride, the many stops for photos, the views of the beautiful Florida surroundings and the new found camaraderie of my sister riders, this ride was something that I will never ever forget. To help us never forget, we all got together and exchanged our digital photos, giving us each an opportunity to see the ride through another’s eyes. I think we are all looking forward to the next Florida All Women’s Ride. Can we go to Key West next year?
Maria Bailey
Skip Navigation
