The Tour de Felasco is an off-road bicycle tour, held each year on the second Saturday in January. Featuring 50 miles of rolling terrain
(plus optional
mileage for a metric century), cyclists experience the best single-track trails in the area, plus special trails within the park open for cycling
on the day of the tour only. Challenges include rolling hills, long distances, creek crossings, and log bridges.
Hosted by the Friends of San Felasco Citizen
Support Organization (CSO), the tour is the primary fundraiser for the park.
Note: Helmets are mandatory. Pets aren't allowed.
Registration
Registration opens October 1 at 8:00 A.M. Registration fee includes park entrance fee, t-shirt, sag stops, hot lunch, and pre-ride
and post-ride snacks. Registration fee is either $50, which includes a cotton t-shirt, or $60, which includes a performance wicking t-shirt - your choice.
This ride accepts 500 riders, and typically fills in early October.
Only pre-registered riders are accepted. No day of event registration.
No refunds after December 31, 2010. The event proceeds rain or shine.
Rider Support
Four sag stops provide cold water, sports drinks, and an assortment of snacks.
A hot lunch of vegetarian chili and chicken noodle soup, plus cold chicken salad sandwiches, marks the midpoint of the ride,
and light snacks are available pre-ride and post-ride. Porta potties are provided along the route.
Volunteer bike shop technicians can handle minor problems, but you should be prepared
and have your bike in good working order before you arrive.
Sponsors
This event couldn't be held without the help of sponsors. If you want to be a 2011 sponsor, e-mail
info@sanfelasco.net.
For a list of 2010 sponsors, see
Tour 2010 Sponsors.
Schedule
Day of event Saturday January 8, 2011 schedule:
| 7:30 A.M. | Rider sign-in opens; pre-ride snacks available. | |
| 8:30 A.M. | Ride starts; you may access the trails any time after 8:00 A.M. | |
| 9:00 A.M. | Sag stop 1 opens (approximately 17 miles). | |
| 10:00 A.M. | Sag stop 2 opens (approximately 27 miles). | |
| 11:00-2:00 P.M. |
Hot lunch at ranger station provided (approximately 31 miles). If you want a shorter tour, you can exit after lunch.
You must use this shorter route if you are at the lunch stop after 2:00 P.M. |
|
| 3:00 P.M. | Sag stop 3 closes (approximately 40 miles). | |
| 4:00 P.M. | Sag stop 4 closes (approximately 44 miles). If you arrive before 2:30 P.M., you can choose the metric century option, which adds a 12.5 mile loop from sag 4. | |
| 5:00 P.M. | All riders must be off the trails. |
The tour finishes at the parking lot, where you sign out and pick up your t-shirt. Post-ride snacks will be provided, door prizes will be awarded, and event merchandise will be available for purchase.
Directions
The event begins and ends at the parking area of the north entrance of San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park.
Accommodations
| Days Inn | 800-329-7466 or 386-462-3251 | |
| Econo-Lodge Alachua | 386-462-2414 | |
| Quality Inn | 800-424-6423 or 386-462-2244 | |
| Travelers Campground | 386-462-2505 |
| Best Western Gateway Grand | 352-331-3336 | |
| Cabot Lodge | 352-375-2400 | |
| Econo Lodge West | 352-332-4426 | |
| Fairfield Inn | 352-332-8292 | |
| La Quinta | 352-332-6466 |
| Cadillac Motel | 386-454-1701 | |
| Grady House B&B | 386-454-2206 | |
| High Springs Campground | 386-454-1688 | |
| High Springs Country Inn | 386-454-1565 | |
| O'Leno State Park Campground | 386-454-1853 | |
| Rustic Inn B&B | 386-454-1223 |
Note: Camping isn't permitted in San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park.
Past Tours
For information about last year's tour, see Previous Tour de Felasco Events.
Guaranteed Entry to the Next Tour de Felasco
Anyone who assists in at least eight (8) volunteer work days this year is ensured of a rider slot in the next Tour de Felasco.
For information about volunteer work days, which are scheduled for the second Saturday of each month from 9:00 A.M. to noon, see Volunteer Work Days.