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marching
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Heading to FL- anybody ride @Santos?
12/15/16 at 4:38am
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Subject says it all, I'm heading down to FL and I'm stopping in Ocala to ride at Santos MTB Park- has anyone gone before?

Thanks in advance.
  
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DK
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Re: Heading to FL- anybody ride @Santos?
Reply #1 - 12/15/16 at 2:31pm
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I've thought about it every time I ride through there on the way to my in-laws.  Just never been able to convince my wife that taking my bike on a trip to spend time with her family is a good idea.  Have fun!
  
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Re: Heading to FL- anybody ride @Santos?
Reply #2 - 12/15/16 at 3:41pm
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Well, you're heading in the right direction. It's -3 degrees up on the mountain today at Snowshoe. I'm glad I'm off today and tomorrow! I hear Santos is a great place to ride! Have a fun ride if you get the chance.
  
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Re: Heading to FL- anybody ride @Santos?
Reply #3 - 12/15/16 at 4:16pm
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Yup.  Its a great trail system.  A good bit of diversity and something for everyone.  Make sure you ride the Vortex section.
  
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Tom F
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Re: Heading to FL- anybody ride @Santos?
Reply #4 - 12/15/16 at 4:51pm
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Doc00t wrote on 12/15/16 at 4:16pm:
Yup.  Its a great trail system.  A good bit of diversity and something for everyone.  Make sure you ride the Vortex section.


Yup. Lots of good stuff there! Only place I've ever ridden that a pair of vultures were watching me ride a shelf around a sink hole.
  
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Re: Heading to FL- anybody ride @Santos?
Reply #5 - 12/15/16 at 5:37pm
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Santos will not disappoint!
  
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renoirbud
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Re: Heading to FL- anybody ride @Santos?
Reply #6 - 12/15/16 at 8:45pm
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I have ridden there a 3x.

The Imba Epic route is 52+ miles, I rode it on a SS 29 geared 34/19, would have preferred 34/18.  The further you get from the trail head near the campground the better the trail gets.  It is very cool that there is a significant bridge built just to expand the trail for the bike trail (and the horses).  This route is not technical at all.

On the perimeter of the vortex section are short trails that are absolute gems, there is some short climbing.

In the Vortex are are skinny's, ramps, progressive table top lines, progressive dirt jump lines, wooden drop offs etc...

One of the signature features behind the spiral ( you will know when you see it), are two wooden features that you roll down.  On the bigger one, brake check before you hit the first hump.

One day is not enough Smiley

  
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Re: Heading to FL- anybody ride @Santos?
Reply #7 - 12/16/16 at 12:55am
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Oh the irony.  I just rode 42 mile epic today.  The good news is if you don't want that long of a ride there are several trailheads to break up the loop: Santos, Vortex, Barns, Landbridge, Christmas, and Shangri-la.  The epic loop is an easy rated trail with more and most difficult trails you can add.  The majority of those seemed to be in Santos and Vortex sections.  Vortex has some advanced man made obstacles including a monorail like skinny.  Shangri-la has the most technical default trails.  The terrain is widely varied.  There are tight, twisty pine covered sections, fast open sections including forest roads, and some roller coasters.  There are several highway crossings.  I am going back Saturday or Sunday to ride the other trails.
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Re: Heading to FL- anybody ride @Santos?
Reply #8 - 12/16/16 at 12:58am
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Was there last weekend went for two days. ride santos, alfia, balmboyette and Carter road. Uptown charlotte to Sheraton in maitland Florida in 7:00 flat. My buddy said it would be too much in two days....but we did it. Smiley fun weekend.... Cheesy
  
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Re: Heading to FL- anybody ride @Santos?
Reply #9 - 12/16/16 at 12:37pm
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azcanc wrote on 12/16/16 at 12:58am:
Was there last weekend went for two days. ride santos, alfia, balmboyette and Carter road. Uptown charlotte to Sheraton in maitland Florida in 7:00 flat. My buddy said it would be too much in two days....but we did it. Smiley fun weekend.... Cheesy


Did you see Big Mamma at Carter road? I stumbled upon her years ago. Scared the crap out of me. As did all of the Armadillos scurrying around at Alfia.
  
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Re: Heading to FL- anybody ride @Santos?
Reply #10 - 12/16/16 at 8:16pm
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Armadillos everywhere. No big momma....
  
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Re: Heading to FL- anybody ride @Santos?
Reply #11 - 12/17/16 at 6:21pm
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When are you coming down?
  
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Re: Heading to FL- anybody ride @Santos?
Reply #12 - 12/17/16 at 11:23pm
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Just got back.  Everyone was right, it did not disappoint!  I rode most of the Vortex network first- the effort put into that area is impressive.  After riding about another 11 miles of Santos I had just scratched the surface.  Definitely going back.

@DK- figure out a way to carry your bike next trip to in-laws- it's worth the effort.   

Really glad I rode with a map, I would have been screwed without it.   

Everybody load up and go, tomorrow's weather is high of 80.

  
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Re: Heading to FL- anybody ride @Santos?
Reply #13 - 12/18/16 at 12:45am
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It was 85 today at Balm Boyette and Alafai.  Maps help at both though I think BB was easier to follow a  full tour.  Gatorback at Alafai is the toughest trail I have ridden and/or was out of gas.  If you can do only one then I think BB has the better flow and options but if you the want harder technical then it is Alafai.
« Last Edit: 12/18/16 at 12:46am by StevenA »  
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Re: Heading to FL- anybody ride @Santos?
Reply #14 - 12/19/16 at 2:51pm
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marching wrote on 12/17/16 at 11:23pm:
Just got back.  Everyone was right, it did not disappoint!  I rode most of the Vortex network first- the effort put into that area is impressive.  After riding about another 11 miles of Santos I had just scratched the surface.  Definitely going back.

@DK- figure out a way to carry your bike next trip to in-laws- it's worth the effort.  

Really glad I rode with a map, I would have been screwed without it.  

Everybody load up and go, tomorrow's weather is high of 80.




+1  I always bring my bike to Inlaws. EVERYONE will get along better if you get in your ride.  Smiley
  
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