This recently opened trail is short but a great indication of how much fun we are all going to have when Lake County’s system of trails is connected. And the experience of riding it is a reminder to myself that the longer I put something off, the harder it is to do – not riding my bike for a while turned in to 15 years of missing the wind in my face and the pleasant tremble of muscles that have worked really hard.
The Trail
The trail is just about two and a half miles from end to end, so it’s about a five mile walk or ride unless you set up a shuttle for yourself. The east Trailhead is in Lake County just east of Camp Challenge, and has portable toilets and handwashing stations. The west Trailhead is in Orange County on 435 just north of the 429 overpass. The trail roughly follows the 429, with the road visible at times and not visible at others. There are some truly beautiful oak trees along the route, a scattering of bat houses, and trail users have reported bear and gator sightings. I’ve personally seen hawks, osprey, cardinals, turkeys, squirrels, and many, many centipedes. It is a pleasant trail to walk, but what I really love is to cover those five miles on my bicycle.
Getting Older is Not For Wimps
The first time I rode this trail, I had not been on my bike in over a decade. I used to be a road warrior, often biking the entire length (and back) of the West Orange Trail. Once we moved to Lake County, it was not as convenient to ride, and what with my commute time and trying to establish myself in a new county, I lost interest. Before I knew it, fifteen years had passed and two sets of tires had dry-rotted on my bike while it hung, unused, in the garage. So when a friend who loves trails as much as I do bought a bike and invited me to accompany her on a ride of Neighborhood Lakes, I thought about how short five miles is and jumped at the chance.
Well, every muscle in my body wondered what I was thinking as I approached the halfway mark of Neighborhood Lakes, and I had to walk my bike at three points. The hard part was not the hills, finite challenges for which I could plan, but rather the insidious, gentle inclines that didn’t even really look like they were heading uphill. Thank goodness I was with a friend because conversation is a great distraction from burning thigh muscles. I persevered and finished the ride. I was even able to load the bike back into the car to get it home!
But I’m Not a Wimp
I felt so good after finishing that I made plans with my friend to ride again that evening. The evening ride was easier, and I only had to walk my bike once. We rode as the sun was beginning to set, so the shadows were long and the light was beautiful. There was a breeze that felt heaven-sent. We saw others enjoying the trail on foot and on roller skates. At the east end of the trail, a dad and his son were enjoying their remote-control car in the parking area. Clearly, Lake County is enjoying the benefits of this short trail…and Orange County, too!
Now that my muscles have recovered from their surprise, I do not expect to walk the bike at all, and I’ve got two rides a week on my calendar. As the trail expands and connects with other trails, I’ll be stronger and my endurance will have improved so that I can enjoy more and more of our County from my bike.