Riding Santos From Ross Prairie Trailhead - Part 1 West to East

[@DrewJ79]

I started riding Santos trails 28 years ago as a teenager. I remember pulling up and parking in the dirt under a random oak tree and hardly anyone knew about the place. The trails were actually pretty good back then. I went back 2 years ago for the first time in over 20 years and didn't even recognize the place. There was a drop in called "the wall" that we were scared to drop in on but finally did it. It was high and steep but i cant find it now with all the features. I think its near vortex somewhere but I remember a really steep climb close to it.

[@jennywclark9193]

Thanks Clint - I was looking for paved trail and you helped me find it

[@BryceLovesTech]

You make it look so easy

[@joaniemiller4362]

This looks like somewhere I need to go. Today was a beautiful day for biking too glad the sun came back. Have you ever had any deer run out in front of you or a Wild hog. I had both happen to me 😮

[@ClintGibbs]

I’ve seen many many deer over the years while riding but never had one run out in front of me.

[@philjones4903]

Great video. Those of us in the Balm and Alafia area welcome some different trail views Question: the speed of the video.Speeded up? If not what speed are you doing?

[@ClintGibbs]

That was actual speed. You can roll pretty fast on those trails. I’d say between 11 and 16mph.

[@thegefster1988]

That looks like a lot of fun on a gravel bike as it would be somewhat challenging vs a mtb

[@ctrawick3]

Hey Clint - the camera perspective change is good, but your audio is difficult to hear. The wind noise seems just higher. Just wanted to mention it.

[@ClintGibbs]

Yeah audio is much better on chest mount.

[@GSmith215]

@clint - I want to escape some New England winter and this looks like a great place. Is there a rainy season I should avoid down in Ocala?

[@ClintGibbs]

Rainy season is June to September , But it’s mainly afternoon thunderstorms. If you ride before 3 PM you’re usually OK during that time. But if you’re coming from New England, that’s a brutal time to ride because of the heat and humidity. Any other time during the year is great

[@GSmith215]

@@ClintGibbs - awesome. I’m thinking February. Will maybe bring my Paddle Board for the Silver River too. Thanks for the awesome videos

[@ClintGibbs]

@@GSmith215 silver river is amazing. We’ll be on it next week

[@stumpywompy1275]

just in time. i've been looking for a good video of the ern and burn and nayls loop for so long.

[@ClintGibbs]

That was a spammer that replied. I have not picked a winner yet. Clint

[@trailrider1633]

Clint, I liked the perspective of your camera mounted to the bike. Could you share how and where you mounted and what equipment you were using? Keep up the great videos. Thanks

[@ClintGibbs]

I will be posting a GoPro setup video in the next few weeks. I used a K-Edge handlebar mount

[@LuisGonzalez-nx2pn]

Those are my favorite trails in Ocala, I camp at Ross Prairie and do a loop including Nayls South and North, so much flow 👍

[@_CrankZilla]

Been meaning to ride these for years. Gotta do it 🙂

[@DM-hw4cr]

I like the bike mounted camera angle.

[@boydcrowder4436]

How many miles in Part 1? Thx for the video.

[@ClintGibbs]

About 15 I think

[@RedC63AMG]

Your videos have been really helpful in accelerating my MTB learning curve. Just started this new adventure in May after decades of road riding, triathlons and long charity rides. I ride with my two grown sons and we’ve ridden most of central Florida and recently added Graham, Balm and Alifia. Santos is next on the list but not sure to start with the west side parking at the 49th TH or the Vortex area. Have to split over 2 days I’m sure

[@kevinw6282]

Bar mount seemed to work nice, different perspective. Trail Forks shows the trails and both ways. If you mentioned it and I missed it I apologize, but are they ridden more often west to east on the more southern trails and east to west on the more northern trails, or will you find people going both ways all the time? I guess I'm asking if there is a preference despite it saying both ways?

[@ClintGibbs]

I like the flow better by staying right especially Nayls south when heading east. But I see people riding all of them both directions.

[@kevinw6282]

@@ClintGibbs Duly noted! Thx. Happy Thanksgiving!

[@JuggernautMTB]

I very much appreciate your focusing on the various trail systems in north central Fla. My wife and I are researching prospective “active” retirement locations and between yours an JOM’s videos , I’m chomping at the bit to accelerate the timeline. Keep’em coming.🙏. Oh, not sure what your numbers look like on the Kayak videos, but as we like to do that as well….. they’re not exactly hurting my sales pitch 😇

[@ClintGibbs]

If you like, flat water, kayaking, gravel, riding and mountain biking, there are a few places better than the Ocalla and Gainesville area.

[@turret_sindrone]

Nice to see these trails again. Some of those lines made me smile. Ern and burn and the the Nayls loop were my favorite trails in the Santos system. Had to give up MTB due to a spinal cord injury but someday I'll rent a E-mountain bike and give em another go.

[@ttu01]

I’m a roadie now but share your quest to move to the mountains one day. Your Rotor crank removal and IT band stretch videos have been game changers for me! Thanks bro.

[@wgnwheels333]

Found the handle bar perspective made me a bit dizzy

[@JamesRoth]

Thank you so much for this tour. And yes, MTB is undiscovered in Florida. My roadie friends are still closed minded about it.

[@donzimmer6993]

Your trails remind me of the trails out on Long Island New York

[@garyharmon5386]

Great video and riding. The trails you were riding look similar to the trails here in middle Georgia. I love trails like that. I want both wheels on the ground. Old bones don’t heal very quick 😂. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family

[@BruceChastain]

MTBing isn't massively under participated. Really cycling in general is way better than most people think it is. I ride to work each day and you know, 99.9% of folks I see on the way are driving cars, I just think wow they are really missing out on all the fun, feel sorry for them.

[@coreylaymon8425]

Thanks for the video Clint. I'm down in Daytona and would like to explore more trails near me and 2 hours drive is not that bad to get to Santos trails. Have to do it some time.

[@luperamos7307]

What about wildlife and it being dangerous?

[@ClintGibbs]

Never had an issue with wildlife there. It’s safe!