Never Ending Cycling Chronicles

The normal suggestions apply. A good pair of sunglasses, riding gloves to cushion your hands and, if you doing this during the heat of the day, sunscreen is advised.

Getting There:

I used the same starting point as the last section of the Suncoast Trail I reviewed. From US Highway 19, travel east where 19 intersects Hwy 50 (Cortez Boulevard). Travel north on Sunshine Grove Road (CR 493), east on Ken Austin Parkway. Pine Grove Elementary School is at the eastern end of Ken Austin Parkway. From the Suncoast Parkway (Hwy 589), take the Hwy 50 exit (Cortez Boulevard). Travel west on Cortez Boulvard and turn north onto Grove Road. Turn west onto Ken Austin Parkway and Pine Grove Elementary is on your right (north side of Ken Austin Parkway).

The Trail:

I arrived at Pine Grove Elementary on Ken Austin Parkway just before dawn. I was lucky to see a beautiful pre-dawn sky as I headed toward the trail’s intersection with Rester Road.

Not too long after you pass north of Bailey Hill Road, you reach the high point of this loop, both figuratively and literally. And, yes Virginia, there are hills in Florida. This portion of the Suncoast Trail boasts the hilliest portion. This was the most enjoyable section of the Suncoast Trail for me.

The only other major road you cross is Centralia Road. The rolling terrain continues through to the end of the trail. Being late summer at the time I rode this section, there was a profusion of flowers and I was able to snap a picture of this large fellow as he gathered pollen among the morning glories that lined this portion of the trail.

All too soon you reach the trailhead at US Highway 98. Other than a parking lot, there are no facilities at this trailhead. I have looked at the development plan for the Suncoast Parkway and they are going to extend the parkway north into Citrus County. As part of the plans, there is right of way set aside to extend the Suncoast Trail as party of the overall extension of the Parkway.

At the US Highway 98 Trailhead, there are high tension power lines that cross just to the east of the trailhead. I snapped a picture of this one because, for some odd reason, it reminded me of the animated feature “Iron Giant”. I am always amused by the signage that they place along cycling trails. I’m fairly certain that most people who take the time to bike on a trail, know the name of the trail.

As you head back south, you will encounter and interesting feature. It is configured like a road crossing and you will do a loop around a rise that looks like an unfinished overpass. Perhaps this is a future road? Perhaps someone familiar with the trail can post a comment on if this future expansion or a road that was planned and then shelved?

Continuing south, you will pass the last of the Toll Plazas along the ever-present Suncoast Parkway.

Climbing the same hills you climbed on the way north and passing the same beautiful scenery, this coastal cyclist enjoyed the hills and relative solitude (except for the traffic on the Suncoast Parkway) through this section of the trail.

In a nod to a local entrepeneur, if you are of a mind, please visit the Blackbear Bike shop online.

The longest climb along the Suncoast Trail bookends this final section as you crest the hill near Bailey Hill Road a final time.

Finally, almost 20 miles later, the trail curves around to meet Rester Road and the end of this final leg of the suncoast trail.

In my humble opinion, this is absolutely the best section of the Suncoast Trail. I look forward to returning to this section and, as soon as the extension of the Suncoast Parkway is funded, to review the expansion of the Suncoast Trail as it makes its way further north into Citrus County.

Happy Trails ~ John