Conquering the Cross Florida Independent Time Trial
Riding across a state is one thing, but doing it on a Singletrack Samurai Route is entirely different. The Cross Florida Independent Time Trial goes from east to west, starting in New Smyrna Beach, FL, and ending on the western coast of Florida on the Gulf of Mexico. However, this is not a straight path. The route weaves through some of Florida's most biodiverse ecosystems. While this is one of the faster routes set by Karlos, it still features a hefty mix of gravel roads, singletrack, and the ubiquitous sandy roads. There are also numerous rail trails and bike paths at the start of the course that makes for an enjoyable car free experience.
My goals for this adventure race were simple and threefold, arranged in an order that kept me motivated. The first goal was to finish in under 24 hours; I figured that if I did the bare minimum things right, I would achieve this. The second goal was to win. I intended to use those behind me as motivation to stay ahead. However, as you'll learn later, this plan got disrupted early on. My third goal was to beat Mike Root's fastest known time from last year's CFitt grand depart of 22 hours and 9 minutes. On top of that, I secretly had a pacing strategy for 20-21 hours.
Coming into the event, I felt fit. I had just completed a significant training block, but my life stress was high, which had derailed my efforts at past events. Despite this, it was my race, and I was racing against myself, much like everyone else. My aim was to embrace the adventure, face the challenge, and do my best without causing harm or conflict.
My adventure began at 7:03 in the morning at New Smyrna Beach. Eager to start, our group headed out of town and onto the first Bike Path. Knowing that this path was fast and that we had quite some distance before reaching the first Single Track, Chuck Lennon, at approximately mile 68, I settled into my aero bars. I maintained a steady Zone 2 wattage and took off at a pace of 20-21mph. No one followed, and I maintained this speed until I reached the Chuck Lennon Singletrack.
Upon arrival, Karlos informed us of a reroute. I spent the journey memorizing his instructions: "Raccoon Run goes left, but you should go right. Then, at the Hub, get on Screaming Hawk to Head B, and then onto the road." I followed these instructions, but while on Screaming Hawk, I started seeing members of the group whom I assumed I had left about 20-30 minutes behind.
A quick selfie with Jason and Joe before returning to pace.
Eventually, I bumped into Joe and Jason. We decided to continue in the direction of the trail and head onto the road. I believe I covered more of Chuck Lennon than anyone else that day, so I was content. It was a pleasure to catch up with Joe and Jason before continuing on, and I’m never turning down the opportunity to do more singletrack!
Back at it.
Around Mile 100, the temperature was approaching the 90s and the foliage provided little shade. Considering the recent cold weather in the Upstate/WNC area, I wasn't acclimated to the heat and started to struggle. I made a quick stop at the Circle K at Mile 100 to hydrate and refuel. I drank a lot, refilled my pack and bottles, and resumed my journey. I had overtaken Jessie and Rasch before the stop, but they must have passed me while I was refueling. I soon caught up with Rasch and overtook Jessie. Rasch offered some encouraging words, which helped me snap out of my heat-induced slump and I continue forward.
Miles on miles of this.
I wish I could provide more details about the distance between my stop and the Locks, but I can't. I continued my journey, managing my energy and staying hydrated. Shortly before arriving in Palatka and overtook a couple of CFiTT'ers who started the day prior (Ken and ??). They were anticipating my arrival, and it was great to get the cheer on. My focus was on regaining my strength and preparing my body to continue into the night.
Sunset over the Locks
I arrived at the Locks at sunset. Perhaps my favorite part of the course was crossing the Locks and riding the road next to the river. The setting sun, the tunnel of trees, lilies on the water, and the peaceful, stunning ecosystem surrounding me were breathtaking. A little further on, I passed the Ocklawaha River. The Forest Service was performing routine burns in the area, so the combination of smoke, sunset, and mirror-smooth water created a remarkable scene to end the daylight hours. I wouldn't see the sun again until after I finished.
Smoke & Water over the Ocklawaha River
I reached the 88 Store at mile 175 of the route just as the last light was fading. This moment was motivating because I recalled that Mike Root had taken a photo in the dark the previous year when he set the Fastest Known Time (FKT). Feeling hungry and tired, I entered the store and purchased a can of Spaghettios, Beanie Weenies, chips, a couple candy bars and more fluids. After consuming a not nearly antiquate amount of calories, I filled my bottles, lubricated my chain, and set off again.
Still light, but barely at the 88 Store.
To ensure I had sufficient energy for the Marshal Swamp/Santos Single Track Section, I maintained a moderate pace and focused on nutrition. Upon reaching the Marshal Swamp Trailhead, I took a brief bathroom break and refilled all my bottles one last time before hitting the singletrack.
Entering the singletrack, I experienced a sense of zen unlike anything I’ve really experienced before. Despite having covered 220 miles, I wasn't tired. My alertness was heightened, yet oddly detached. I moved quickly but not hastily, smoothly but not with complete fluidity. During one of the road crossings, I hit my pedal hard against the pavement edge, rendering one side completely unusable. This made parts of Santos challenging, as I could only clip into one side of the pedals. (One would think clipping in to one side would be a 50/50 chance, but it felt like it was a 1 in 10 chance I’d snag the pedal right and clip in… frustrating to say the least!)
Despite this, navigating these singletrack sections at night - which had been my biggest fear going into the race - was an incredible experience. I enjoyed every mile, except perhaps the last few on the Tricycle Trail when I was ready to finish.
After leaving Santos, many warned me that I wasn't finished yet. This turned out to be true. The sandy, fire break "road" immediately after Santos and the subsequent sandy hike-a-bike roads proved challenging. Ten miles from the finish, I struggled to maintain any power. I was exhausted.
In addition, I encountered issues with my Garmin Pedal. After hitting it on a rock, I suspect it stopped reading power correctly after Santos. I didn't want to stop and calibrate it, so I pressed on annoyed by the fact that I could barely get it to stay over 200w.
Finally, I reached the last bike trail leading to the finish, where I could dip my wheel into the Gulf. I tried to get there as quickly as possible, not checking the time because I didn't want to know. All I knew was that it was still dark, and I was i the lead.
After stopping my Garmin and taking a photo (actually, it was a video as I was too exhausted to distinguish between video and photo on my phone), I finally checked the time. It was 4:40 AM, and I had done it. I knew I had to finish before 5 AM to beat Mike Root's remarkably fast and record-setting time from 2022. I achieved my goals, but with a hint of hesitation. I think I could have made a faster time. My ride wasn't the smoothest; I faced several issues, but that's all part of the adventure. Without these challenges, would I even be doing this?
The best photo I could get while standing with my toes in the Ocean.
Sitting at the edge of the Gulf of Mexico, I wondered why I had pushed myself so hard. Despite the difficulties, I end these journeys grateful for the experience. It's a pleasure to be among those like-minded enough to undertake such ludicrous endeavors. Some faces are becoming familiar, and I always meet new people seeking a great biking adventure.
Everyone ready to take on the 300 miles of sand and scenery.
I rode a bike without a brand name, without sponsors paying me. But as I told my wife after the race, she's my biggest sponsor. I'm forever indebted to her for enduring my antics and shuttling me to these wild adventures!
Ride Stats
297 Miles (some how I got more miles… probably due to a couple turn arounds in Santos)
5000 Feet of Climbing (all in Bridges I assume)
Just shy of 15mph avgerage with about an hour of stop time I figure (my Garmin kept auto pausing during the sand hikes)
2 Mechanicals (the pedal issue and getting a vine wrapped up in my disc brakes…. thankfully I stopped soon enough!)
13,828 calories burned according to my power meter, Which is probably low.
1100g of Carbs via Mix in 7L of water
7x 1L Gatorades
2x Redbulls
1 can of Spaghettios
1 can of Beanie Wennies
2 Snicker Bars
1 bag of BBQ chips
Countless possums, several deer, a scary owl in Santos, but no Gators… they must be endangered in Florida.
