Yellow-Bellied Sliders

On the third Sunday of each month, a group of yellow-bellied sliders can be seen cruising throughout Alachua County. Some move at a brisk pace while others bring up the rear. But these yellow-bellied sliders are not the familiar turtles seen lining riverbanks; no, these sliders are riding bicycles.

Meet the High Springs Yellow Bellied Slider Bicycling Society. This group was formed, said organizer Tom Hewlett, to "bring biking here, have fun and exercise, and let people enjoy our good nature."

Hewlett came up with the name after seeing turtles on the Santa Fe River. He said High Springs has the largest breeding population of yellow-bellied sliders in the world.

"And it's a cool name," Hewlett said.

For their first event, a group of 26 bicyclists pedaled through High Springs along a pre-determined 8-mile course.

"That was fun," Hewlett said. "We had people who hadn't used their bikes in years, and we went around and visited communities that no one [in the club] has ever seen."

Lys Burden, who has a long history with bike organizations, marked the course with road paint. The markings led the bicyclists along a course and indicated areas of interest.

"Lys Burden is the brains behind this," Hewlett said. "She taught me how to put together a bike event."

People of all ages are encouraged to join the YBS. Riders range in age from seven to 70. During last year's "O'Leno Lakes" ride, the stronger riders, known as Sonic Sliders, covered 12 miles at a brisk clip, while the slower riders, the Tootlers, made a seven-mile circuit at a more leisurely pace.

However, being a Tootler is never a problem; this is a club for riders of all levels. The group's SAG unit provides support, including transportation back if needed. In Slider Speak, Hewlett said, SAG stands for "Slider Assistance Group."

"Lys will be the last one and if you break down she'll stay with you," Hewlett said.

Burden has a trailer attached to her bike, with tools and a first aid kit. One Slider broke his chain on the O'Leno ride. Not to worry, help was on hand. Additionally, for each trip a station is set up so riders can stop to eat, drink and be merry.

"This club is ideal for people who have never bicycled much," Burden said. "It's really the inspiration of Tom and Linda Hewlett. I have run bicycle organizations for years and it's been really fun for me to pass along the knowledge to the newbies who are so enthusiastic."

After a ride, the YBS meet at a local restaurant for dinner and camaraderie. Awards are handed out.

"Socializing is part of the ride," Burden said. "Tom has been a master host at giving awards."

Their second ride was called "Hill and Dale," a 16-mile trek down Old Bellamy Road.

"Washboard was the word," Hewlett said, "and we had an award for the 'Most Vibrated Slider.' No shocks on his bike."

Although the ride was sometimes rough, Hewlett described it as a "magnificent day."

"It was all cathedral-ceiling oaks and trees and shaded half of the way," Hewlett said. "And we saw a herd of camels we didn't know was there."

Marilyn Vanover has been onboard since the beginning. She said the group is looking for a volunteer to write grants in order to build bike trails and bike racks. She would like to see crosswalks, improved bike lanes on major highways and more connections between the roads and bike trails.

"Build it and they will come," Vanover said. "I'm excited because it's a growing, grass roots thing. We started it as bikers moving up the chain, rather than starting it as a program. Now we can connect the dots, working with DOT and the railroads, trying to really make High Springs a hub for biking."

Last May, the YBS held their "Secret Spaces and Historic Places" ride, which included visits to Crockett Springs, the phantom remains of the High Springs roundhouse and -- appropriately -- a site along the Santa Fe River to see yellow-bellied sliders.

"It's tremendous," Burden said. "It's fun and you see stuff. I really encourage people who have never ridden before to try it. Don't even think about mileage. Think that we are going to ride our bikes for an hour or hour and a half. Stop. Smell the flowers. We will have a lot of fun and have a lot exercise."

"I think it's great," said Slider Ann Marie Smith. "I love High Springs having a bicycle club and I think it's so much fun. It's so nice to get to know your town by bicycle."

"It has been well represented by all age groups," Slider Bob Smith said. "It's kind of like playing bridge; you can do it at all different levels. You can be the group racing through the course that adds another seven miles, or you can be the group luxuriating through the first six miles."

"The Tootlers," Ann Marie added.

"I have found all kinds of new places that I didn't know were there," Linda Hewlett said. "And we are excited every time we eat at different restaurants."

Members have traveled the Hawthorne trail, ridden through the San Felasco Hammock State Preserve, explored the Bat Cave in Newberry and visited Ichetucknee Springs State Park. Their peddle and paddle trips include a canoe ride down the Santa Fe River to see some real yellow bellied sliders. The April ride took them to Hawthorne, where they visited Little Orange Lake and the historical museum.

The group is currently looking for sponsors for their first "River Rise Peddle and Paddle Challenge" in October. This event will be held at O'Leno State Park and River Rise State Preserve. Hewlett said this is not a race, but rather a group ride through a series of trails, and an upstream paddle trip on the Santa Fe River to the River Rise, where the river emerges from its three-mile underground journey from the River Sink.

The group meets on the third Sunday of the month at the High Springs City Hall at 2 p.m. This month they will take to the O'Leno trails to map out rides for the October event.

"One of our main objectives, as much as to have some fun, is to explore all of the paths that we are going to use for the River Fest," Hewlett said. "It's a challenge for all age groups and we want everyone to have fun."

Hewlett said some beginning Sliders who were out of shape and could barely finish their first ride have gone on to become biking enthusiasts. They have gotten into shape, lost weight, and even the longest YBS rides are not enough for these Sonics.

"We chose well when we started our club," Hewlett said. "We chose for the Seniors, and there is a lot of people who want to bike. We tell people, come and bike with us. And if you can't make it, we're here to support you and we'll get you home. You don't have to have spandex. You are going to do what you want to do and when you are tired, we are going to come and get you." §
To learn more about the Yellow Bellied Sliders contact Tom Hewlett: 386-454-3307 or Lys Burden: 352-222-1077. Cost: individual $20 per year, family $30.

Albert Isaac is Editor-in-Chief at Tower Publications. editor@towerpublications.com.