Is that speed bump moving??
Biking in Florida presents some interesting scenarios as a variety of wildlife frequent the same trails that we bike on. Biking alongside gopher tortoises, sandhill cranes, and alligators keeps the ''this-is-fun'' smile on my face.
Now I may have changed my mind if the alligator that I was pointing to suddenly turned around to check out a potential lunch-on-wheels. But he was just enjoying basking in the Florida sun. So we safely pedaled on to discover more of the wildlife ''speed bumps'' that make biking on the Florida bike trails a delightful way to soak up all the natural beauty of the sunshine state.
When we began RVentures, we traded in a ''screamin' fast'' road bike lifestyle for an ''enjoy the journey'' leisurely ride on our folding bikes. We chose our current van layout specifically with our Bromptons in mind. We wanted them to be able to fit inside in order to be protected from the weather elements. Doug engineered the wooden frame and bungee cord system that keeps them secure as we travel.
And best of all, they are always ready to spring into action when we find an interesting biking location.
Recently, a friend who was also traveling through Florida asked us about our favorite bike trails in the state. While we are far from experts, we have had the chance to try out a number of them during our time here. And what we have found is that while it sometimes requires a short drive to get to the trailhead, you are quickly rewarded with an up close view of the genuine Florida charm.
Bike trail delights include gopher tortoises who answer the age old question ... Why did the gopher tortoise cross the bike path? To get to the yummy green stuff on the other side, of course!
Birds of all types provide quick snippets of beauty, and their songs fill our ears with catchy biking tunes. We are always intrigued to come upon special sights like this one in which Mama Sandhill Crane was teaching her young one how to find the ''gourmet'' seeds and insects.
Biking in Florida also means that you may be sharing the path with some not quite so fluffy and cute creatures. Snakes quickly slither across the path. Otters playfully run from one swamp to the next. Alligators bask in the sunshine. So many reasons to always have a camera with a good zoom lens with you!
Our Favorite Florida Bike Trails
The Legacy Trail
Located in Sarasota, the Legacy Trail is a popular ten mile paved trail that we enjoyed when we stayed at Oscar Scherer State Park. Passing just outside of the park, the Legacy Trail took us over bay bridges and past the sandy habitat that gopher tortoises love. At the southern end, it connected with the Venetian Waterway Park Trail which led us to Caspersen Beach in Venice, Florida. Venice is known as the shark tooth capital of the world. There we joined the other beach visitors in the search for the small black prehistoric shark teeth. While we weren't successful in our search for the prized fossils, I did manage to find one the next day when I was doing a load of laundry at the campground. While cleaning out the dryer filter from a previous user, there it was ... score!
General James A Van Fleet State Trail
The Van Fleet State Trail is a thirty mile trail that runs through central Florida's Green Swamp area. We biked the southern ten mile portion a few years ago and were enamored with the amount of wildlife that we saw. In February, we were able to complete the other twenty miles of the trail, and the wildlife sightings were just as entertaining. Gopher tortoises were out sunning themselves along the trail, all sorts of birds were flying overhead, and mama alligators were keeping a careful eye on their babies in the swamp that ran alongside the trail. My sharp-eyed and quick-with-the-camera biking companion even captured the playful river otter as it crossed our path.
Sanibel Island
We found that the many miles of bike trails easily took us to wherever we wanted to go on Sanibel Island. One of our favorite destinations was Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge. The four mile wildlife loop through the refuge gave us close up views of roseate spoonbills, blue herons, and white pelicans. But once again, our favorite biking moments were the trailside chats with our beloved gopher tortoises.
Pinellas Bike Trail
The Pinellas Bike Trail is a forty-five mile paved trail that runs between St Petersburg and Tarpon Springs, Florida. During our many trips to the Tampa Bay area, we have enjoyed exploring various sections of the trail. Numerous restaurants and craft breweries line the trail,
... and pristine parks provide magnificent views of the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay.
Shark Valley Visitors Center in Everglades National Park
Shark Valley is probably one of the most unique bike trails in Florida as it loops though a portion of alligator-infested wetlands in Everglades National Park. Our fifteen mile ride gave us vast views of the national park
... as well as ''right-next-to-you'' trail sightings of alligators of all sizes. Don't pass this by if you ever find yourself on the Tamiami Trail in southern Florida. Heck, if I were you, I would make a special trip here just for the unique opportunity to bike with the gators!
Florida State Park Bike Trails
During our stays in many of Florida's state parks this winter, we have found biking to be a great way to explore the natural areas that make up these parks. Our wider tires on the folding bikes allow us to take on the ''Florida flat'' mountain biking conditions.
Whether biking on the park's roads or through their hammock forests,
... we are always prepared to make a quick stop in order to check out some of the park's full time residents,
... like this wild hog sighting at Myakka River State Park!
Lake Okeechobee
We like to look for an interesting place to stop for lunch when we are traveling from Point A to Point B. Recently, on our way from the west side of Florida to the east side, a stop at Lake Okeechobee fit into our travel plans. Florida's largest fresh water lake has a lengthy bike trail around portions of it. Riding on a raised levee, we had views of the lake on our left and the canal on our right. Alligators disguised as floating logs were frequently seen. After a ten mile ride we were ready to eat,
... and it is always nice to have a beautiful lunch view!
Other Recommended Florida Bike Trails:
Highway 30A in the Florida Panhandle
Highway A1A on the Florida East Coast
West Orange Trail
Withlachoochee State Trail
Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway
Coast-to-Coast Trail
Florida Trail
and
MANY MORE!
In fact, every year that we come back through Florida, we find new bike trails to explore using the Google Maps ''bicycling'' layer. And on each new bike trail we usually still have to ask the question:
Is that speed bump moving?
If it is a Florida bike trail, the answer is most likely ... yes!
Alligators, otters, snakes, and gopher tortoises call these trails ''home'', so always remember the golden rule of biking ...
Always give them (at least) three feet of passing room
as you share the road/trail
with all the magnificent wildlife who, like us, are enjoying a sunny afternoon stroll in their neighborhood.
