14 DAY REGULATOR CLOCK
I started to build this clock nearly two years ago and then life happened and the project was set aside. So, here we go again, hopefully all the way to the finish line. The clock will be constructed of walnut with a mechanism furnished by Klockit.
Monday, August 13, 2018
My first triathlon in five years is only four days away. My anxiety level is on the rise. I have been training as hard as my 80-year-old body would allow, but my mind and my body are not in agreement. No doubt they will argue all the way to the finish line.
Turns out it was mind over body after all.
This was a bright sunny ride from Floral City south through the communities of Istachatta and Nobleton; a ride through some of the best of “Old Florida.” The trail is mostly shaded and flat, perfect for hot muggy Florida weather.
The Florida Withlacoochee State Trail stretches 46 miles through the scenic wilderness of west central Florida. Much of the trail is shaded and the ride is smooth and flat. Several trailheads provide parking, restroom facilities and water. Comfortable rest areas are scattered along the way.
On this day, I pedaled twenty miles from the Ridge Manor Trailhead to Nobleton and back. Although my focus is training for fall triathlons, I can never resist stopping to take a few photos.
Philippe Park / Ream Wilson Trail
This scenic out and back ride begins along the banks of Tampa Bay in Philippe Park with a turnaround at Spectrum Field, the spring training home of the Philadelphia Phillies. This is a smooth, scenic and mostly shaded 18-mile ride over the connecting Bayshore, Ream Wilson and Kapok Park Trails. Bridges and tunnels take the rider over or under crossing highways. The one exception has rider controlled flashing lights for a safe crossing. The route is mostly flat with a few “Florida style” hills and one overpass.
The Starkey Wilderness Trail is a 6.5-mile paved trail connecting Starkey Park with the Suncoast Parkway Trail to the west. The junction with the Suncoast Trail is about 5 miles north of the Suncoast Trail car park at Florida Highway 54. Parking is also available at Starkey Park.
I did an out and back 23-mile ride beginning at the Highway 54 car park with a turnaround in Starkey Park. The ride is flat and smooth with some shade and lots of nice rest stops with covered benches or tables. Rest rooms and water are available in Starkey Park.
One unique feature of the trail is a display of the solar system with each planet illustrated on a sign and placed along the trail according to their relative distance from each other. The inner planets are just feet from each other while Uranus and Neptune are about a third of a mile apart.
A pleasant scenic ride.
The 42-mile Suncoast Bike Trail runs from Tampa to north of Brooksville paralleling the Florida Suncoast Parkway toll road. This Earth Day I rode the section between highway 52 and highway 54, a total out and back distance of 20 miles. Most of the trail is flat and straight with some hilly terrain north of Brooksville. Shade is limited as is protection from the wind which is often blowing in a north-south direction. Also, the ride frequently brought me to within 50 feet of cars and trucks speeding by on the other side of a chain linked fence.
Recent forest fires have closed the trail on a couple of occasions and left charred vegetation along the route. Water levels are low as evidenced by the dry stream beds and ponds.
This trail can be a pleasant ride or a good training route for the “go fast” biker.
The Courtney Campbell Bike Trail runs alongside the Courtney Campbell Causeway across the Upper Tampa Bay between Tampa and Clearwater Florida. The 10-mile ride is smooth and basically flat except for bridge sections which can be briefly steep. Shade is sparse so sizzling summer days can be a challenge. Ride early or late and carry plenty of water.
The ride can be extended by as much as 20 miles by crossing over to the Bayshore trail on the east end and riding to Philippe Park or over the Ream Wilson trail. These extensions do have considerable shade are very scenic.
Pinellas Trail Bike Ride
The Pinellas Trail runs for more than 50 miles through most of eastern Pinellas County. On this occasion, I rode a scenic section from Dunedin to Tarpon Springs and back. The twenty-mile round trip is mostly flat with only two major highway crossings. A tunnel and an overpass eliminate two other potentially hazardous crossings. A good trail ride year round with enough shade to make even a summer ride fairly pleasant.
An aging body complaining vigorously during every morning jog gave me the excuse for a new bike. Staying active and healthy as I age means listening to my body and adjusting to changes before any damage is done. Biking provides the aerobic exercise that I need without high impact to my knees and ankles. And a new bike along with the opportunity to ride the many beautiful Florida trails eases the trauma of yet one more sacrifice to father time.
Ancient Runner 