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Alturas – All-TerrainMeet in grassy lot west of Lee’s Country Store, 3540 E. Central Ave., Alturas, FL. Saturday December 13th, 8:30 a.m. roll time. Restrooms at Lee’s Store (buy something and be friendly).
Join the club on this approximate 35 to 40-mile “all-terrain” (mixed surfaces) ride. Gravel bikes, All-Road bikes, or Cyclocross bikes recommended. Moderate to fast pace with stops. If you are uncomfortable sharing the road with vehicles, this is not a good ride for you.
Alturas, meaning “high land” in Spanish, has its roots dating back circa 1913, and is located in the Polk County hinterlands between Bartow and Lake Wales. The ride will include gravel/ dirt roads, rural paved roads and grassy trails. Depending on the weather leading up to the ride, some sections may be soft/ sandy. The route is appx 50% gravel, 50% pavement. The ride is definitely hilly by Florida standards, with appx 1,000 – 1,200 ft of cumulative elevation change. There are several good-sized climbs and fast paved and unpaved downhills. The route will include historic Alturas, rolling countryside and farmland (citrus, etc.), and provide views of at least a dozen lakes.
Note - Tail lights are required for safety. Mirror and Garmin Varia (radar) also recommended. Riders should be self-supported and accustomed to long rides in remote areas. No facilities except at Lee’s Store. Bring hydration, snacks, sun screen, tools, tubes and other flat repair.
Ride Guide Rob DeGraaf is a Senior Environmental Scientist and past Author of Fat Tire Favorites, Guides to West-Central and South Florida Off-Road Bicycling books, and a past director of the Florida Off-Road Bicycling Association (FORBA).
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
3540 E Central Ave, Alturas, FL 33820, USA, 3540 Central Ave, Bartow, FL 33830, United States
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.
