The course is very similar to last years with the trails dry
and improving daily. The 60 is a tough ride, you will earn that Fat Point beer
at the end.
The course is set up to have several challenging sections
followed by easier areas allowing for some recovery. You will start from the
Pavilion, after a brief neutral section you will ride a grassy double track
until you pass a picnic table and go around a gate to reach the Border Road
extension which is 2 1/2 miles of gravel road. There are three gates which all
have a bypass on the left side. No need to open or climb the gates, there might
be cattle in the area so if you open it close it. A left turn and a swing gate gets
you onto Doe Hammock which is a grassy section connecting to the south
Powerline, a 3 mile gravelly section, another short grassy road followed by
asphalt and then a right turn back onto the Powerline after going around the
gate. The most challenging section of the race follows between mile 12 and 20
where you will ride the River Trail and the Stockade Trail. This will test your
power and ability to find the right line. Local riders know that at the Carlton
it pays to look for a better line sometimes the right path is just a foot or
two to the right or left of your current track. Next will be 4 miles of gravel
road and before you know it you will be 25 miles into it and at Tom and El
Jeffe’s Oasis SAGG Stop.
After a little bit of recharging, you are off down the Venice
Arcadia Grade which is a fast double track road going through the area of last month’s
bear sighting. The end of the VA grade is called the mile of HELL, enough said.
Right turn onto the North Powerline is a mix of grass and gravel and near then
end is one gate that you will have to climb over. You’ll ride further on and
take a right turn onto the mowed track running along Big Slough. If you cross a
rusty metal bridge you missed your turn. The section along the Slough is very scenic,
look up! LEFT onto the South Powerline but only briefly, you cross the bridge
then take an immediate right turn down the bank and into the Myakkahatchee
Environmental Park. Go over a small ditch crossing then into the park proper
where there will be park visitors so be mindful. Cross the wooden bridge and
follow the creek on the right side. There is a water source near the parking
lot (white pipe sticking out of the ground). You will be riding a grassy/sandy
trail then you cross Tropicaire Blvd so go slightly toward the bridge and down
the bank across the street.
You have 2 miles of ATV trails next which were very nice this
week but can get sandy. There are two trails that run parallel to each other
watch for illegal ATV and Motorcycle riders. Follow the trail UNDER the freeway
and then take a left onto some paved but poorly maintained roads for the next
2 miles. Back onto the ATV trail for a short distance then across the
Myakkahatchee Creek and up the sandy bank. You will reach a road, go past the
house then turn down the right of way on the left side of the house till you
get to the dam. You can ride or walk this section because it can be slippery at
the bottom. Go left onto the gravel access road and a right at Sumter Blvd, ride the
sidewalk. At mile 43, the intersection of Price and Sumter, you will find
several options for resupply (Publix, restaurants, 7/11, etc.). After that
break, ride more sidewalk down Price Blvd. until you cross the Myakkahatchee Creek for the last
time on a pedestrian bridge. After the bridge, cross Price into the
parking lot of the Sport Complex and ride past the buildings and then go left behind
the Middle School which takes you to a grassy/gravelly road.
At Pan American, the 5
mile road section begins. These are back roads with little traffic the busier
roads will have a bike lane. Pan American will take you to Avanti and
eventually to S. Biscayne Take a right on Trionfo, past the Warm Mineral Spring
Complex to De Leon Drive and De Miranda Ave till you reach HWY 41 but only for
a short section. Next is the entrance of Deer Prairie Creek Preserve, a mile
and a half of gravel with a water crossing. Go left onto a grassy double track
followed by more gravel then another road section will get you across HWY 75.
The end is near as you reenter the Carlton Reserve with one more gate to go around
with more grass and next thing you know you will be smelling the grill and finishing.
This course will play well with
riders that work together so take advantage of the sections where drafting can be
a big factor. Cross bikes would work best with this tactic but there is a price
to pay and you will get beat up in the bumpier sections. A 29r will ride
smoother but will be hindered on the fast rolling sections. Also stay on the
route the temptation to cut out tough sections or take shortcuts can be pretty
strong but it’s cheating in my eyes. If you can’t do the ride as designed maybe
you need to find another sport where cheaters get rewarded.
Eric
GPS file for 60 follow the link:
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/11349507
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/11349507
