Did 10.2 miles at Santos yesterday. Was pretty brutal. I rode Twister twice Speedway, Marshmallow, Canopy, Dr. Ruth, Cowbone and Dogbone, and also hit Vortex for some jumping.

Heading out to Santos tomorrow to go do some riding. Shooting for an all-day ride, with at least 10 miles total ride distance.
Santos is a moderately technical riding area with some minor drops and nothing too insane. There are some trails that are very twisty with moderate elevation changes. The Vortex freeride area has some bridges and insane drops, along with a BMX style course and some other practice areas.
The red trails are more technical than crazy- rocks, narrow sections, steep climbs. The blue sections are sometimes too easy, but provide some fun riding is you get the speed up.
I personally like riding at Alafia River Park better, but Santos is in such a nice area, it's hard to pass up an opportunity to ride there.

New Canon EOS Digital Rebel Xti

I bought a Trek 4300 hardtail as my starter bike. It was inexpensive enough that I didn't feel too guilty grabbing it. I have upgraded the pedals with some Mosh step pedals and also swapped out the rear tire with some Panaracer Fire XC's for some more bite in the turns... the original Bontragers sucked.
This bike has taken some punishment (as have I), and it's still going strong on all the original components except the seat and rear brake pads.
I was hoping to get a dual suspension bike before my trip, but I seriously doubt that will happen. I also don't anticipate any major jumps or drops where I will actually need that kind of setup; the hardtail is just fine for my speed. This picture was taken at Santos Mountain Bike park in Ocala, Florida. This place is an outstanding ride for beginners and advanced riders alike. A lot of easy trails you can do with the kids or physically challenged, or if you want to hit some big drops and do some technical riding, this is where it's at.

Mountain Bike Trip Planner

I have been planning this trip for close to a year, and today I blocked off my vacation time so I could make it happen. I have been going through a rough divorce, which still isn't done yet. I need something to keep my mind off the crap I have been dealing with. Although this trip is five months away, I can't wait and think about it every day.
After separating from my wife of 15 years, I took up a new hobby to help clear my mind: mountain biking. I live in Florida, and although the location and activity are oxymorons, there are still some pretty decent places to ride in the area. I have taken a liking to two places in particular that have "man made" mountains: Alafia River State Park MTB Park, and Santos (in Ocala) MTB Park. I have been "training" at these two spots since April 2008. I also do a lot of road riding at various trails in my area.
I originally came to Florida from California, and I always loved the outdoors. I did a lot of camping and exploring in my younger days, and I sorely miss the mountains living in flat Florida.
So I have decided to plan an "epic" mountain bike journey (epic by my stanadards...at 41 pretty much anything I can do that lasts around 2 weeks is epic).
Rough planning stages has me hitting some awesome riding spots in Grand Junction/ Fruita Colorado, Moab, Utah, and Flagstaff, Az. I am also shooting for some riding around the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee at the tail end of the trip.
I am doing this on a shoestring budget- since my pending divorce has me in dire straits with income. I had to move out of my house since it was in foreclosure, and am renting with a roommate. I also anticipate child support to be starting in January. Sooo...I am going to forego the nice hotels and bought a tent for the bed of my pickup, a sleeping bag, and a whole load of camping accessories that will make things easier.
The start of my trip will be Tampa, Florida. The halfway terminus will be Page, Az. I plan on doing some kayaking at Lake Powell for a couple days.