I have never been one for nostalgia until recently. Whether it be old movies, 90's wrestling shows or past events in my own life, my mind has been enjoying a bit of rewind. Back in the twenty teens I got to be a part of a dedicated group of cyclists who had a dream to turn their nature reserve into a park full of flowing singletrack. In a few short years that vision had become a reality.
The location was the T. Mabry Carlton Reserve in Venice, Florida. It all started with one trail and a name inspired by the TV show Star Trek. Boldly Go represented a leap into that vision, an audacious first step that would take visitors from the parking lot directly into the wild beyond. Since then it has been frequented by tens of thousands of cyclists. The terrain has been groomed for and by mountain bikers. More than a decade later that first trail is so well established that you can see it on Google maps.
That group of cyclists became known as SCORR, a non-profit purpose driven gaggle of volunteers who would go on to carve more than 20 miles of trails. While the labor might have been free, the equipment and lumber was not. They devised many ideas to raise money including group rides and pub crawls on various holidays, all with some success. However the big fund raiser was a multi-distance race that became known as Piggy's Revenge.
Why the history lesson? After almost a decade away, I came back to attend the 2026 Piggy's Revenge. I volunteered as a photographer but also borrowed a bike to get a flavor of the fun. I could talk all day about the speedsters who left a cloud of dust in their wake on the south powerline trail or the individuals who regaled me with stories of their craziest experiences. But, the vibe was best exemplified by a rest stop. Three miles out on the crossroads was booming music and a party atmosphere. It was like a cyclist's only nightclub in the middle of the woods. Tired riders joined in every few minutes to recuperate, re-hydrate and dance. Yes, there were people dancing at a rest stop.
The race sold out, as it always does. The various distances 10, 20, 40 and 60 miles of singletrack and/or gravel are as popular now as they were a decade ago. Riders came from as far away as Colorado and Canada. The enthusiasm was just as robust as it had ever been. I'm so proud to have been a part of this vision and a part of this group. Few things are as satisfying as knowing that something you helped build will last the test of time. Piggy's Revenge is still squealin and kickin, the Pig lives on!
You can find the photos on the SCORR Riders Facebook page
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