200 Miles? of HELL of the NorFLA: Cold AF, Windy AF, Potholed AF

2022 hell of the norfla gainesville florida

Above: First day of daylight savings time, 7am start in the darkness of NorFLA

This video is sponsored by The Pro’s Closet – Use coupon code GRAVELCYCLIST042 until April 30, 2022, to receive free shipping on your bike order! To qualify, the bike must be over $1,000, free shipping limited to $100.

2022 hell of the norfla gainesville florida
Err, the temperature be 32F / 0C

“Celebrate the return of daylight saving time with a long day in the saddle. This route combines portions of our local series events – Doc Hollywood, Heartbreaker, Tour of the Quilt Country, and Strada Bellamy – to produce one beautifully hellish ride covering 200 miles. Hell of the NorFla contains 35+ unpaved sectors ranging from less than 0.5 miles to several over 10 miles.” – Hell of the NorFLA

In this video, JOM of the Gravel Cyclist crew joins a hardy group of like-minded adventurers, for a day on the bicycle. The start temperature was 0 degrees Celcius / 32 degrees Fahrenheit, most uncivilized for this part of Florida! What happened beyond that is mostly documented in this video. Enjoy 🙂

2022 hell of the norfla gainesville florida

Continued from Above:

Version 5 of Hell of the NorFLA produced a few firsts: Coldest temps; most water on course; least favorable winds; highest number of committed starters; lowest number of finishers.

2022 hell of the norfla gainesville florida

North Florida Freeride Gravel Series

The longest-standing gravel events in Florida! Doc Hollywood, first run in 2011. Heartbreaker, first run in 2012! ALL FREE events, brought to you by their respective founders, JOM of Gravel Cyclist, Tim of Endura & Big Head Todd of 352 Racing.

2022 hell of the norfla gainesville florida

2022 NFFGS Dates

  • January 29, 2022: Tour of the Quilt Country IX – Trenton, Florida
  • February 19, 2022: Faustian Bargain – Bronson, Florida
  • March 13, 2022: Hell of the NorFla – Jonesville, Florida
  • April 23, 2022: Strada Bellamy – Jonesville, Florida
  • Doc Hollywood 2022: Micanopy, Florida – Deferred to 2023
  • November 12, 2022: 11th Annual Heartbreaker Cycling Invitational – The Fall Classic – Gainesville, Florida
  • November 26, 2022: Tour de Farmland – Hastings, Florida
  • Mudcrutch Gravel Team Time Trial is temporarily on hold, it may return in 2022?

Additional Photos

2022 hell of the norfla gainesville florida
Graham, fellow adventurer, with his own event on the NFFGS Calendar
2022 hell of the norfla gainesville florida
First mixed-surface sector of many
2022 hell of the norfla gainesville florida
Carlos aka Carlito, rugged up to the max!
2022 hell of the norfla gainesville florida
How nice are these canopy roads?!
2022 hell of the norfla gainesville florida
Daylight breaks & warms up the landscape

2022 hell of the norfla gainesville florida

2022 hell of the norfla gainesville florida

2022 hell of the norfla gainesville florida
Co-founder of NFFGS, Todd

2022 hell of the norfla gainesville florida

2022 hell of the norfla gainesville florida

2022 hell of the norfla gainesville florida

Above: Houston, we have a problem. The CR2032 shifter battery in JOM’s right side shifter kicked the bucket. Solution, set the rear derailleur to an appropriate gear (using the rear derailleur button to shift the derailleur down the cassette), and head to a Dollar General on the course.

2022 hell of the norfla gainesville florida

Above: Success! Dollar General has the required battery + Red Bull, win! Plan B, nab the CR2032 battery out of JOM’s heart rate monitor strap and get the shifter sorted.

2022 hell of the norfla gainesville florida
Storms really messed up the roads, ruts, and potholes galore
2022 hell of the norfla gainesville florida
Always slow or stop for our Equine friends
2022 hell of the norfla gainesville florida
Low lying water from recent storms
2022 hell of the norfla gainesville florida
Kristy joined the group along the way
2022 hell of the norfla gainesville florida
Lincoln also joined later in the ride
2022 hell of the norfla gainesville florida
For a while, 10 riders

2022 hell of the norfla gainesville florida

2022 hell of the norfla gainesville florida
Scaling part of the FLAppalachians
2022 hell of the norfla gainesville florida
Later in the day, JOM would ride with the Lady Gravel Cyclist 🙂

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