Coffeenuering Challenge #5

4 november 2015

Meadow Pointe Blvd just south of SR54

The wind was coming for the east but I have already gone that was in Challenge #3. I wanted to go to Panera in Lutz. It is only 6 miles west of my home. In order to enjoy a scone guilt-free, I needed to ride longer. I planned my route to take advantage of the winds as much as possible. I knew I would have to return home against the wind so I planned the majority of my ride before I got to Panera.

SR54 at Bruce B Downs

I went east on CLR to Mansfield to Beardsley to MPB. Then I went north to SR54. I continued riding SR54 to Livingston. The bike lane stops at Lexington Oaks but there is a nice, wide shoulder. The bike lanes starts up again where SR56 comes in. SR54 is a busy and fast highway. I felt safe enough riding on the shoulder and bike lane.

SW corner of Livingston and SR54 looking towards Panera

Panera has a lone bike rack in the tall grasses. Panera was busy and it took a while to get my smoothie. The smoothie was runny and disappointing in that I drank it too fast. The scone was as good as expected.

1995 Trek 1220

The ride home was slow and windy. I rode along SR54 to Oak Grove. Oak Grove has no bike lane but there was little traffic.

Caramel Apple Thumbprint Scone and Wild Berry Smoothie

I turned east on CLR. There is no bike lane but it was repaved this spring and they added a narrow shoulder. The shoulder widens at the overpass then disappears completely. That was only for two miles then back into MP with its bake lane.

Meadow Pointe Blvd/CR54 and SR56

25.5miles 13.6mph