Coming in from DC

[Guest]

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[mpopetz]

Heya,

Coming in to visit my folks in the Tampa area for most of April and wanted to check out alafia.  Heard some great things about it and was looking for somebody to ride with and show me around.

I'm a decent cross country rider if a wee bit out of shape right now due to my newest son being born 3 weeks ago...but more interested in having some fun and checking out the place than hammerheading around to prove something.    Let's see...how to describe level so I don't hold back some better riders....I rode the S&M 100 a couple years ago and proudly finished DFL but finished.  Generally ride 3-4 hours at a stretch during the summer but probably am only up for 2 of hard pedaling at this point of the winter.  (yes..winter...I know a foreign concept)

I'll probably end up renting a bike as they want about 100 bucks each way to ship mine. 

Anyone interested in showing me around?

Cheers.
Marcus

[SandPine]

Welcome to the area....Are you in town now?  There is a group going there at 6pm today and probably every Friday.  I am sure there will be other days from others.  I will be there at 4:30pm today and taking it easy since I have not been to Alafia since October.  I am also on a SS for the first time at that place so will definately do all the easier stuff first. Let me know and I'll send you more details...

If you want to ride at other places in this area, check out the SWAMP calendar.  We have organized group rides every SUnday and Tuesdays.  Night rides coming up too.  http://www.swampclub.org/calendar.htm

[mpopetz]

sweet.  not rolling into town until Sunday.  Friday ride sounds pretty cool.  Night rides eh...maybe I'll bring my lights.    Isn't it dark awful late there nowadays?

Any suggestions on places to rent a bike?  Meant to ask that in my first post.

-mp

[SandPine]

I think we only have two night rides schedule for this month.  STarting at 7:30pm or so.  ONe at Boyette and one at Flatwoods.  You do need the lights a for those.  At the other rides like on Tuesday (morris bridge) and Friday (Alafia), we get done by closing time and before dark around 8pm.

Try these bike shops in the area (in that order):

http://ajsbikesandboards.com/
http://ridingbicycles.com/index.cfm
http://bikeworks-brandon.com/