I’ve been outside a lot lately. Spring has sprung here in Orlando and with the warm winter we’ve had, the azaleas are already in bloom. The warm weather means I’ve been able to ride a lot lately and keeping in mind the fact that I want to take the dream trip this year, I’ve been increasing mileage per trip.
So I figured out using Google Earth, one of the greatest inventions of mankind, (the others being: the napkin, intermittent windshield wipers, and that dinging sound I get when I leave the headlights on) that even though Seminole County hasn’t built a trail there yet, I can still connect the Cady Way Trail with The Cross Seminole Trail by riding the streets. So here is my interpretation of the Cady Way to Cross Seminole Trail trip that I’m training on. I’ve included approximate distances from my house for my own benefit.
Cady Way trailhead. (2 miles from my house) Found in a parking lot off Herndon Ave. just north of Colonial Blvd near the Fashion Square Mall.
An unassuming start to a very pleasant ride. Just past this point is Baldwin Pub where they have open mics. There is a HUGE new development going in near here where the old Naval Training Center was. Somebody made BIG MONEY doing this. The change in the area has been very dramatic and if I don’t ride here for a few weeks, it seems that whole new buildings go up in my absence.
As I ride the Cady Way, I ride through nice residential neighborhoods in Winter Park. They take good care of the trail and there are waypoints along the way for water and rest. There are also neighborhoods with narrow cross streets and a more rural feeling although I’m still very much in urban Orlando.
Cady Way Park (6 miles from my house)
There’s a YMCA owned pool here and some great ballfields. There are also dog agility trials here on many weekends. Nearby is a great sculpture of dolphins carved from the trunk of an oak tree. I love outdoor art!
Getting up isn’t nearly as much fun as going down, Whee!!!
Cross over Forsyth Rd. and enter a more industrial area with warehouses, etc. Orange County does a great job of managing graffiti. They cover up gang tags regularly and in a timely way. I’m glad some one recognizes this for what it is. I love outdoor art!
There’s more art here. You’ll have to make the trip yourself to see it.
Goldenrod Park. (8 miles from my house) Someone is always in the picnic table where I want to stop so I don’t spend much time here.
As I keep riding, the trail changes names at Goldenrod Park because I cross over into Seminole County. The trail also crosses the Aloma Rd. I travel through residential areas and an area where massive new construction is taking place. They won’t stop building but at least they’re starting to include parks in their planning.
They didn’t make playgrounds like this when I was young. Don’cha wanna play?
Then the trail passes under the 417 Greenway expressway.
This is always a good spot to get into the cool shade and take a drink…also the determination of these plants was a good inspiration for me when I was still developing the stamina to go further.
The trail continues past another light industrial area but it’s still pleasant.
The end of the trail. (11 miles from my house) Seminole County has plans to continue the trail but they’re working on other areas now. 
From here, I end up traveling on the sidewalk along 426 (There’s gotta be another name for this road but I don’t know what it is) The road does have a bike lane on either side of the divided highway but I don’t trust Orlando drivers. I’ll leave the description of this part of the trip to the rest of the Cross Seminole trail for another day.
