Bike Florida, Inc.

The bicycle caravan group stopping over at the Osteen Diner for lunch Nov. 20th are a part of a statewide organization originating out of the University of Florida and headed by an executive director, Linda Crider, a professor and a bicycle enthusiast. This group was just a part of a Bike Florida movement and consisted of a loop that started in Palatka to Titusville and back to Palatka in one day, approximately 50 miles. They averaged 10 to 15 miles a day this trip and included bicyclists who share the expenses and come in all ages and shapes. On this trip, a 78 year -old biker came down from St. Augustine on his bike and met the group at Palatka. They travel with a support vehicle tagging along to provide help if needed and the trip is premanaged so their stops for food and lodging are prearranged and planned ahead. The support vehicle carries a professional film maker and a professional photographer. There is a web site for this coop: bikeflorida.org. Anyone can become members if they have the time, a bike, the muscle and the funds to share expenses.. They ride in single file and wear bright splashy outfits, especially shoes that can grip the pedals, travel country roads, and see historic and native sites that's not seen from a whizzing by car driver. The excursions also serve as models of bike safety and travel pleasure,