Never Ending Cycling Chronicles

If you have Google Maps installed, click on the hyperlinked or the blue globe to see the Polk City Trailhead or the Green Pond Road Trailhead . I started at the Polk City Trailhead. Off of Interstate 4 exit 38 (Highway 33), follow the signs to the Van Fleet Trail. Travel eastward toward Berkley Road. Make a left onto Berkley and, after a small curve, the trailhead is on your right.

The Trail:

Temperature can be problematic depending on when you start your excursion. I started at 7AM on a Saturday morning and the temperature was 64°F which is about 10 degrees cooler than when I left my home along the Florida coast. For me, it was a chilly start to the day but, as my muscles warmed, it was a pleasant beginning to the ride. At other times of the year, you might want to consider bringing along a longsleeve jersey.

The Polk City Trailhead is a spacious affair with a wide open field being ringed by grass parking spots. There is a picnic pavilion and a water fountain right at the trail entrance. The trail map said there were restrooms but I did not see them. Perhaps a commenter could leave a mention of where the facilities are located. The next chance for water and restrooms is 10 miles distant at the Green Pond Road Trailhead.

Judging from the trail signage, it would appear that a horse trail parallels the trail along the eastern side. Though I didn’t see any signs of horses the day I rode the trail, it would explain the wide grassy swath along the eastern portion of the trail.

This section of the Van Fleet Trail is the most urban along the entire 29+ miles of the trail. The section is bordered mostly by small to large farms and pastureland. Trees continuously line the trail along most of its length.

Perhaps due to the more urban nature of this end of the trail, the wildlife seemed to be limited to squirrels and white-tailed rabbits. You can hear other animals rooting through the underbrush on either side of the trail – probably armadillos.

The only curve within the 29 mile length of this trail occurs within this section. Between mile markers 4 and 5, the trail turns from its heading of due north and takes a turn to the northwest. While I have read some comments about the straight nature of this trail, I didn’t mind it at all. There is enough to keep you occupied with the changing scenery and the constant scurrying of squirrels across the trail and birdsong filling the air.

Since I enjoy the natural aspect of almost any trail, you will find a small nature trail on the east side of the trail not far from the Polk City Trailhead entrance. If you have the time, it is worth the short walk through the trail to get a sample of what lies ahead.

While this portion might not seem very rural, this is the most remote of Florida’s rail trails. What you see along this trail is probably Florida in its most natural state.

While water (drinking water, that is) is not plentiful along this trail, they did place a lot of areas for resting and for relaxing to take in the natural surroundings. There are rest stations every several miles, from simple benches to covered decks that, I would imagine, are surrounded by water during the rainy season. Speaking of the rainy season, I would like to return to this trail toward the end of our rainy season to see the difference that makes in the trail environment. I visited toward the end of the dry season so the water table was very low.

There are more road crossings in this portion of the trail than the rest of the remaining trail combined. First up is Fusell Road. The road heading west seems to dead end into an equipment business but I’m not really sure. The road doesn’t appear to be highly used but, the morning I rode this portion of the trail, I could hear engines revving and the whir of heavy equipment of some kind.

Next up was Deem Still Raod. This highway seemed to be well used and, not knowing the posted speed limit, I would say the traffic was moving along this road at a good clip. Exercise caution when crossing.

Poyner Road was the final crossing before my turnaround. It is a typical rural Florida road. It is worn from obvious use but doesn’t appear to be a major thoroughfare.

Finally, around the 10 mile mark, I reached the turnaround point at Green Pond Road. This is probably the nicest trailhead along the trail and appears to be heavily used. It was bustling the morning I rode. There is water, pavilions and restrooms on the northern side of Green Pond Road. There was cattle grazing on the western side of the trail – one cow straining its neck to reach the tender grass on the other side of the fenced pastureland.

Overall this is a very nice section of the trail. It is straight (except for one gentle curve) and flat. The western side of the trail was a bit bumpy on the way back and appears to be showing signs of being uplifted where tree roots are growing beneath the trail.

Great ride! If you really enjoy being in the great outdoors and enjoy being away from the sounds of traffic or city life, then the Van Flee trail is the perfect choice.

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