JACKSONVILLE PHOTOGRAPHER - RAILS TO TRAILS REVIEWS PHOTOSHOOT

JACKSONVILLE PHOTOGRAPHER | RAILS TO TRAILS REVIEWS PHOTOSHOOT

How and when did you begin biking?

Prior to the pandemic, my husband Albert and I traveled extensively both for our jobs and personally. In March 2020, COVID hit, and the world came to a screeching halt. For the next several months, we only left the house to obtain essential items. As a result of our self-imposed hibernation, we started to pack on pounds and experience mental stress and COVID fatigue.

A few of my female friends and I decided to purchase bikes. Now, Albert vehemently proclaimed that he would never ride a bike and that we had lost our minds, as he had a misconception about biking causing prostate cancer. But four weeks into our bike rides, Albert noticed the change in my mood and overall happiness. He finally relented and purchased his first bike off Facebook Marketplace for $100. I affectionately call his bike “Big Blue,” as it weighs almost 40 pounds.

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How did you discover Rails to Trails?

We started riding on the sidewalks within and around our neighborhood as we refuse to compete with distracted drivers on the major roadways. We became a daily fixture on the sidewalks. We continued a few more months on the sidewalks, where we racked up more than 1,100 miles.

A coworker of Albert informed us that he as well did not ride the roadways but enjoyed riding the Rails to Trails in Jacksonville. He even gave us directions to our first Trail ride. Now we must say, what should have taken less than 20 minutes to drive and locate the trailhead, took us over an hour as the directions were not detailed enough for a novice to find.

Our first trail was the St. Augustine to Palatka State Trail, an 18-mile route in northeastern Florida. We unloaded our bikes in St. Augustine and pedaled toward Palatka. On our return to St. Augustine with about 10 miles left, the Florida heat had taken its toll on me, and I simply could not go any farther. Albert was my hero as he continued on to finish the trail and return back with our car to rescue me.

Despite my failure to complete my first trail, I was not going to give up that easily. The following week, we rode the Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail-Trail, a 14.5-mile route in our hometown. We aced it. Yes, it was still 95 degrees, but I was totally prepared and sufficiently hydrated. That ride was the beginning of our weekend trail adventures.

How much of the Rails to Trails have you completed? What is your favorite part of the R to T in the US so far?

Since our first trail ride on the St. Augustine to Palatka trail in 2021, we have traveled to Georgia, Texas, Louisiana, California, Alabama, Las Vegas and at least 15 counties in Florida riding Rails to Trails. During this time, we have ridden over 2600 miles on some of the most beautiful trails across the US.

In an effort to share our Rails to Trails adventures, we started a Facebook Group called "Rails to Trails Reviews" where we would write a comprehensive review of our trail ride. The review would included detailed directions to the trail head, bathroom facilities, distance of the trail, parking and overall scenery. Our most favorite part of riding the trails is the opportunity to meet the thousands of fellow riders who follow our reviews. It is always heartwarming to hear stories of how our rides have inspired others to ride.

What advice would you give someone wanting to get into biking?

If you are new to biking, we would advise you to purchase a relatively inexpensive bike to start. Wherever you are located in the US, you will be able to find a Rails to Trails. We highly encourage anyone to ride on of the Rails to Trails closest to you. On these trails, you will find first time riders, walkers, joggers and semi-professional riders.

What has been the biggest positive take away, either emotional or physical, from your biking journey?

Riding the trails has not only made us healthier and happier—providing a way to cope psychologically with the pandemic—but has also allowed us to become a part of the rails-to-trails family. Albert lost his mom to COVID, and trails became an important coping mechanism. Riding has continued to give both of us enjoyment, fulfillment and—most importantly—the belief that we are not defined by our age.

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Hi, I’m Tonya, a Jacksonville Florida Photographer. I specialize in photographing weddings, families, and babies. I would love to hear all about your photography needs to see if we’re a right fit for each other. As a photographer, I get to capture the most exciting and life changing experiences in people’s lives.

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