Red Road to Loveland Road, Blue Road to Card Sound Road
Which did I like best?
Farm Life Road
Well, my favorite road was one without dogs! No, really, my favorite road was Farm Life Road (S.W. 162 Avenue), for it's once rural charm and for Castellow Hammock Park, located at 22301 S.W. 162 Avenue. I recently learned from early EBC members Margie and Nick that the extensive damage done to the park buildings by Hurricane Andrew has been repaired and Castellow has since reopened - it was worth the 9 year wait!.
I sometimes used to take a "mental health day" from work and load the bicycle in the car to make the 15 mile drive down to Castellow. I'd then ride 20 or 30 miles and end up spending a hour or more at the park after the ride, just siting there taking in all the sounds of nature (usually the sound of a nearby bird or two), and in the really early days of Castellow Hammock Park (dedicated in 1975), there was a tree break of Australian pines next to the park that would just sing when the wind was strong enough.
There have been many times when things have not gone well in my life, and at those moments I think of these memories and they help take the bite out of whatever it is I'm dealing with - I'm really greatful that I have them to think about.
Farm Life Road was a great place and one of my favorite memories!
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Even though it is a residential city street (Coral Gables), I have some great late-night memories of the road.
In the early days of the club, a number of the original members lived near downtown Coral Gables. Cycling home from a meeting, I'd ride south on Granada Boulevard towards the University of Miami and South Miami.
If the meeting happen to run late and I was riding home well after sunset, especially during the winter months, the scent of night blooming Jasmine would fill the air and I'd feel like I was riding over the quiet Coral Gables roads on a carpet of perfume (something like Aladdin but without the lamp) - and with a full moon lighting the road it couldn't be beat!
What a great memory!
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Although this was largely a residential street, even 25 years ago, it still rated as one of my favorite roads for it's peacefulness. During the Fall months, the smell of blooming sea grape was a subtle, but kind reminder that the holidays and cooler weather were on the way.
Before the housing boom within the current-day Town of Pinecrest, stands of Florida pine could still be seen at several locations along the route, especially along the southern end of the road.
In it's earlier days this road was also know for it's light traffic volume, and, a good route for cyclists beginning a long trip down "the east side of the highway" towards Homestead and points south. The reverse could be said on the return trip - the taller buildings of Dadeland could be seen from several miles away - almost home!
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