Wall Springs Park[/caption]
Instead of just going out and riding 30 miles, I decided to add a mission to today's ride. We would hit several parks in northern Pinellas County and test our new point and shoot camera that replaced our former Panasonic. See... during our Ft. Desoto camping trip, our 
Checking the Maps[/caption]
Less than two months to our summervacation, and we realized we still have a lot of things to do to get ready. Since it is raining today and neither one of us feels like 'training' in the rain, we decided to do some prep work. 
The day starts out at 05:55 Friday as we leave our house and head off to work. The ride to work is a short 25 miles and since we are leaving right after work, we have all of our gear with us or as my work colleagues call it "our homeless kit." 
Yes, with our vacation being just around the corner it is time to step up the training. We know what you are thinking: "What in the heck are these people talking about?", "Training for vacation, are they MAD?" 
Lucky little dog![/caption]
Our little adventure group[/caption]
Although it is wonderful to discover far-away, exotic places. A lot of times it is just as nice and sometimes just as adventurous, to go on an overnighter bicycle tour right here in Florida. Since I was feeling a little jealous of Ron's little getaway last weekend I was really itching to go on a little bike-camp-trip myself. Of course it didn't take a lot of arm twisting to get Ron to go along, so we planned on a weekend bicycle tour starting right after work on Friday.
I rode my bike with panniers packed to work, where Ron and our friend Sam met up with me after work to pedal through Starkey Park, up the Suncoast trail to a primitive campground near the trail on SR 52. 
I have been itching to get out for an overnighter for several weeks, so I decided to pack up and do it. However, instead of driving home after work and grabbing the bike and then heading out, I took my gear to work, so I could ride straight from my cube! There were several reasons for going this route:
1 - It would give me more miles.
2 - I could spend more time on my bike. 
Inverness, FL[/caption]
Yesterday we teamed up with Sam (long long time family friend) and Jessica (our daughter) for a nice long 50 miles on the Withlacoochee Trail. In August they will be bike touring with us in Europe, so it only made sense that they start "training" for vacation now. Jessica's bike is a gift from us for all the hard work she has done over the past several years. It comes complete with a SON28 generator hub, B&M Lumotec light system, a Tubus rear rack, and a set of Ortlieb rear panniers. She is ready to tour!