Paving the way for biking events

Umberto Arnulfo glided along the dirt roads at Coventry Oaks Farm on his gravel bike and donned his signature “Unpaved Attitude” gear last week as he tested the roads for an upcoming Putnam County cycling event.

Arnulfo designed the routes for the 2022 Etoniah Gravel and Social Bike Ride that begins at 9 a.m Saturday at Coventry Oaks, 104 Springside Shortcut Rd. in Palatka. Event organizer Kraig McLane said he has been working with Arnulfo since the bike event started three years ago, and described him as a burst of energy willing to help.

“We started very small with just one ride option, and now we are at three options with a 20-mile ride, now (also) 45 and 75 miles,” said Arnulfo, who leads the St. Augustine bike tour group called Unpaved Attitude.

“(The rides) basically cover every rider’s needs and different experiences and different skills.”

If cycling isn’t someone’s first choice, stop by Coventry Oaks at 4 p.m. on Saturday for the Life Distance, 5K and Fun Run. Both events, running and cycling, benefit A Women’s Resource Center in Palatka, a non-government-funded organization that helps women and families during unplanned pregnancies.

“It’s coming together nicely,” said McLane on Wednesday, as he gathered the final pieces to Saturday’s events.

Residents who would like to participate can sign up online at here and here.

McLane said 120 people total have already signed up, with 65 cyclists and 55 runners, but people can still register for the events on-site. There will be food and music from the Pedal Pusher Pickers, also known as Possum Trot, to enjoy after the events.

For people looking for an adventure, Arnulfo plans to lead the Etoniah Big Bear gravel ride. It’s a 75-mile ride on mixed terrain of rock, grass, sand and paved roads. The Big Bear is the most challenging ride offered Saturday, but Arnolfo said that’s part of the fun.

“If (the ride) becomes epic – if it becomes challenging – anything that challenges you, you’re going to remember,” he said.

Arnulfo already tested out the route over the past weekend, but, before that, the St. Augustine tour guide mapped possible routes on a GPS and had to physically go to the locations to make sure they were rideable.

The Big Bear route is off and on designated bike trails, meaning Arnulfo started scouting possible paths before last week.

Arnulfo has been riding a bike since he was a child growing up in Turin, Italy, but he likes the challenging rides and country Florida roads now that he lives in St. Augustine.

Arnulfo, though, has cycled all across Putnam County.

“You can see so much more while you’re riding your bike on those country roads,” he said, compared to a car. “You can actually really see the feeling of Florida and the country road. You can see the feeling of the farms.”

McLane said he appreciates Arnulfo’s passion and everyone who is working to put together Saturday’s event because they have been a blessing.

“When you have that kind of enthusiasm… from my perspective, it’s very helpful,” McLane said.

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