I considered going back to Metro Diner, as that was an excellent breakfast, but going to Waffle House is like going home. They are super friendly and welcoming . . . and so close! I still got three eggs and a double order of hash browns . . . I was all set to head out for Cross City. Through the wasteland of southeast Gainesville! At least they have bike lanes almost everywhere.
I had constructed my route to Cross City so I would spend as little time as possible on FL-26, the main road there from Gainesville. FL-26 has bike lanes, but it's a four-lane divided highway, and I just didn't want to be bothered with that much traffic. So I made my way from the "Butler" properties to a secondary road that would take me through what I hoped would be a quiet residential neighborhood. I mostly succeeded.
Looking back on the malling of southeast Gainesville. Everything is Butler this or Butler that . . . with more parking lot than anything else.
After crossing I-75, I thought things would get a bit quieter . . . and they slowly did. But as I approached this intersection and saw my bike lane disappear, I decided I could ride the sidewalk.
And that turned out to be not a bad idea. The sidewalk became this "bike trail," which, while slower biking than the road, was more than suitable for me.
So for the next five miles, I was on a bike trail of one sort or another. Rarely was it what I would call a sidewalk. And the only issue was the blind approach to driveways here and there. This is a well-heeled neighborhood and heavily landscaped, so driveways are a bit hidden, and approaching cyclists are hidden as well.
After five miles, I was forced onto FL-26, but for only a mile. And then I turned left and followed a road south for a mile before turning right on this delightful road that would take me all the way to Newberry, about seven miles away.
This welcoming tree introduced me to this scenic byway. What a delight to be off FL-26.
After Newberry, however, it was back on FL-26 . . . for at least 11 miles. It's ridable with a healthy shoulder, and traffic had dropped off somewhat but was still a distraction. But it can't be perfect everywhere!
FL-26 with a wide shoulder that makes riding it comfortable, if not a tad annoying due to traffic.
After 11 miles, I was in Trenton, only about 20 miles to go! In Trenton, my course showed a slight right followed by a quick left. I knew there was a trail through these parts but wasn't sure if it was paved. Well, lo and behold, my path to Cross City . . .
The start of the trail, looking ahead towards Cross City. No name, no map, just pavement. No complaint. I just hoped it stayed this way ALL the way.
Where I stopped for a Honeycrisp apple I had bought yesterday at the ridiculous expense of $2.00 . . . but it was delicious! Only six miles to my lodging in Cross City.
The Putnam Lodge is located on the far side of Cross City . . . technically outside the city limits. It's the best lodging in town and is historic. I chose it because it had a dining room . . . but didn't do my homework, as it is only open Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. So I had to walk back across town to get dinner . . . being a Sunday, nothing else (except fast food) is open.
