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Rodney, I will answer your question first. If you are coming South on I-75 you can come all the way to the exit at 50/98 which is the Brooksville exit and the area is called Ridge Manor. There are several hotels at this exit including a brand new Holiday Inn Express, and also McDonald's, Wendy's, and a Cracker Barrel. On Friday, you would then go East on Hwy 50 to Groveland and turn South (right turn) onto Hwy 33. It is 16.2 miles to Green Pond Road once you make the turn on Hwy 33. There will be a Van Fleet Trail sign one-mile before you reach Green Pond Road. Take a right onto Green Pond Road and following it until it crosses the Van Fleet Trail, and the Trail Head will be on the right just before you cross the trail. Or...coming South on I-75 you can take the Florida Turnpike getting off at Hwy 27 and then going South to Clermont. There are several hotels in Clermont including a Holiday Inn Express that a number of us stayed at during the Sunshine State Recumbent Rally in November. Friday morning, you would go West on Hwy 50 to Groveland (left turn), etc., etc., etc.

David, you're next. Coming down I-75 and then on the Turnpike, you can take the Hwy 27 exit South to Clermont or you can stay on the Turnpike until you get to the Winter Garden exit which will put you right on Hwy 50 and then go West to Clermont.

Anyone coming from the Winter Garden area, take Hwy 50 to Clermont continue through Clermont staying on Hwy 50 to Groveland, which is 4.6 miles from Clermont. In Groveland, go South (left turn) on Hwy 33 to Green Pond Road, which will be 16.2 miles from Groveland. Take a right turn onto Green Pond to the Van Fleet Trailhead (see note above to Rodney).

This is a picnic lunch ride since there is really no place to eat near any of the trailheads of the Van Fleet. Polk City has two small restaurants and a few fast food places, but nothing that could handle a group our size for lunch. As Mikey pointed out in an earlier post, all Publix Supermarkets have Deli's that can create a great picnic lunch in a few minutes. If you're coming from Winter Garden from Clermont, there's a brand new Publix on the right hand side if you're going West on Hwy 50 between Clermont and Groveland. Ride Leaders will provide cold drinks, bottled water and dessert. Thanks to those of you that have responded that you are planning to attend. Right now we probably have at least 30 riders that have indicated that they will be there. Lets hope for "good weather."

Jerry