Inverness, FL < — > Hillsborough River State Park, FL

Dick Marr, leader of our group, the Withlacoochee Bicycle RIders, came up with the idea of over an overnight camping trip to Hillsborough River State Park. This would be a great shake down for our upcoming cross country bike ride. It would be a 60 mile one way trip with a couple of hills for fun :-)! We could check to see that we packed everything we will need on our cross-country trip as well as setting up and taking down our tents. Plus the 120 miles in 2 days would be another test of our readiness.

We started, as usual for our Thursday group ride, from Wallace Brooks Park and met for breakfast. The Group then departed north back to Wallace Brooks and Bob, Dick and I headed south for Hillsborough. Jerry, Mari and Mary and Rick hung around to see us off.

Some of the Withlacoochee Bicycle Riders Group

The hardest part of the trip was this hill. It doesn’t look like much from this angle, but it was bad.

"The HILL"

This is where Bob found out his gearing on his bike was not right for our trip. Good to find it now than later. He now has a different bike with the right gearing. Another bad thing about this hill was there was no shoulder and traffic came very close.

Dick in the lead, Bob right behind, going into Hillsborough State Park

Dick setting up his tent.

Dick's and my tent are up, Bob working on his. Bob since has added hooks to his tent which makes for a faster set up.

This first overnighter was a great learning experience, for me anyway.
Thanks, Dick!

Spot GPS Map of Our Route Below:

View First Overnight Ride in a larger map