Southeast - Any Tampa Bay Bayshore Blvd. Riders?

Hey guys,
I just got back from riding for my fourth time. I rode from Gandy Blvd. to Centro Ybor tonight, very fun ride. Just wondering who else from the area are on this forum.

Let me know,
Asif

Not alot of people on here from that area... Im in lakeland and just found another guy from the tampa area.. Let me know if your looking for someoen to ride with. Send me a PM

Do you roadbike or Montainbiike?

Hey guys,
I just got back from riding for my fourth time. I rode from Gandy Blvd. to Centro Ybor tonight, very fun ride. Just wondering who else from the area are on this forum.

Let me know,
Asif


I have rode Bayshore many times back in my "beginner" days. It is a pleasant route although crowded with walkers, skaters, dogs and anything else that uses legs for locomotion. I find if you would like to ride next to the water, Ft. DeSoto has a great 16 mile trail.[out and back] Also the Friendship Trail on the old Gandy bridge is a good 6 miles out & back as well. And the foot traffic is a lot less.

I'm in Valrico. Not a roadie yet but I'm in the market. Most of my time right now is spent on the MTB at Alafia or Boyette.

I'm in Valrico. Not a roadie yet but I'm in the market. Most of my time right now is spent on the MTB at Alafia or Boyette.


I would like to know about Boyette. I drove past there and gawked at it. Look like to me it was some weirdo set up with private property. But Alafia is Da Bomb! I am right next to Riverview High School so Valrico is right down Boyette Rd. from me.

Boyette is cool. its flat with some small ups and downs. There are a few good drops, but its a fun place to ride.. I was there this past weekend and the trails were sandy but not to bad. I dont know the place all that well, but I will go ride with you one day. Let me know.

Not alot of people on here from that area... Im in lakeland and just found another guy from the tampa area.. Let me know if your looking for someoen to ride with. Send me a PM

Do you roadbike or Montainbiike?


I also ride in Lakeland, mostly at Lake Hollingsworth since it is close for me.

I also ride in Lakeland, mostly at Lake Hollingsworth since it is close for me.

I ride a puter felt and wear a JOLT cola jersey sometimes HaHa.. You may have seen me.. Next time you ride let me know. I ride from my apartment Im so close (off new jersey)


jonathanhertel at verizon dot net is my email.

i grew up in brandon/riverview but have lived in lutz for almost a couple years now. i haven't gotten a chance to ride bayshore but it looks like a nice ride. my friend tells me it gets crowded sometimes and runners tend to not appreciate cyclists on the sidewalk. i usually ride the suncoast trail which is pretty nice, mainly other (friendly) cyclists. my friend and i usually try and meet up there or at the pinellas trail which is pretty cool too. if we set up a time and place for a ride i'd like to join in. maybe it could be a weekly or monthly thing or somethin.

my friends and i are probably going to do a cross florida ride (clearwater beach to vero beach) pretty soon, i started a thread about it in the southeast, regional section.

I haven't ridden Bayshore, but am interested in running it. I ride the Suncoast from LLF trailhead, Upper Tampa Bay trail or Flatwoods, which (when I move in two weeks) will be 2 miles from my house. I took the trip over to the Pinellas Trail in Tarpon Springs and I tell you what, I hate that trail. Not bike friendly at all. Too many crossings. i'm up in Gainesville this weekend, which is a great city for riding. Lots of rural roads with bike paths. But i love Tampa, with all of the rails to trails. I had to remember to pay attention, being back on the road in traffic today.

I haven't ridden Bayshore, but am interested in running it. I ride the Suncoast from LLF trailhead, Upper Tampa Bay trail or Flatwoods, which (when I move in two weeks) will be 2 miles from my house. I took the trip over to the Pinellas Trail in Tarpon Springs and I tell you what, I hate that trail. Not bike friendly at all. Too many crossings. i'm up in Gainesville this weekend, which is a great city for riding. Lots of rural roads with bike paths. But i love Tampa, with all of the rails to trails. I had to remember to pay attention, being back on the road in traffic today.


Got to agree w/ you on the Pinellas trail. It is not bad down thru St. Pete to Baypines area. Less crossings there. I have hauled the bike many many times up to the Suncoast and rode all day. Now that the side trail thru J. B. Starkey Wilderness area is open, it makes for a more "quiet" ride. Many deer, bobcats, coons have been spotted there. Have also done the Upper Trail. I am still partial to the Withlacochee Trail to its solitude. But if you want the absolute, less traffic gig, then do the General Van Fleet. It is very deserted, quiet, and strictly wilderness. I have rode on weekends there before and have not seen another human being. Plenty of turtles and gators. Bayshore is the worst for traffic like I said in an earlier post.

Anyone want to ride in lakeland tomrrow morning?

Got to agree w/ you on the Pinellas trail. It is not bad down thru St. Pete to Baypines area. Less crossings there. I have hauled the bike many many times up to the Suncoast and rode all day. Now that the side trail thru J. B. Starkey Wilderness area is open, it makes for a more "quiet" ride. Many deer, bobcats, coons have been spotted there. Have also done the Upper Trail. I am still partial to the Withlacochee Trail to its solitude. But if you want the absolute, less traffic gig, then do the General Van Fleet. It is very deserted, quiet, and strictly wilderness. I have rode on weekends there before and have not seen another human being. Plenty of turtles and gators. Bayshore is the worst for traffic like I said in an earlier post.
took the Starkey trail the other day. I thought it was only about a mile out, and was happy to see there are another 6 miles of trails back there. Moving in two weeks to Flatwoods area, so I will be riding the loop a whole lot.

Anyone want to ride in lakeland tomrrow morning?


Madridjoe and I rode a nice 20 miles today, If anyone else wants to ride in lakeland I can lay out a nice loop for us. Perfect weather for a ride BTW.

Well, I finally bit the bullet and bought a Lemond Versailles last weekend so I'm now a roadie as well. I did 30 miles out at Flatwoods last Sunday and loved it. Can't say it's quite as much fun as playing in the dirt but the sense of speed and efficiency is very cool! I think my next ride will be the Van Fleet Trail, I used to drive that area daily for work and always thought it looked like a nice one.

I think my next ride will be the Van Fleet Trail, I used to drive that area daily for work and always thought it looked like a nice one.

Dont waste your time.. That trail sucks bad! I would only ride that trail to put in miles and nothing else.. It has some rought spots and is stright and nothing to look at, If you want to ride out there let me know. I was working out off of 557 (I think that is what it is). its like 2 roads up from the Van fleet trail and is a nice road that goes through the country and WAY out past Fantisy of flight. Im going to try and get Joe and another guy I ride with to ride it with me.. I was wanting to do it this saturday.


And if you ever want someone to ride with let me nkow.. I have no problems riding out to brandon/Valrico(sp) to ride.. send me a pm and we can exchange numbers.

Hope toy like your new bike!

I ride Bayshore atleast 3 times a week...every week.

I commute from Ybor City to Downtown Saint Pete viea the Gandy, Pearl St, Bayshore. If you see a blue Surly and an orange jersey going down Bayshore just after 4pm, that's me.

I ride Bayshore atleast 3 times a week...every week.

I commute from Ybor City to Downtown Saint Pete viea the Gandy, Pearl St, Bayshore. If you see a blue Surly and an orange jersey going down Bayshore just after 4pm, that's me.


Gets pretty tight and narrow on Gandy heading east towards Bayshore. Do you encounter any problems with the traffic? I will give a honk if I see you on Bayshore.

CROSS POST

check it out

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=298642

Gets pretty tight and narrow on Gandy heading east towards Bayshore. Do you encounter any problems with the traffic? I will give a honk if I see you on Bayshore.

I've had no problems on the Gandy approach.

The worst part of the commute the blind curve on the back side of the dog track. I don't think Florida drivers realize that they are putting there lives and mine in danger when they cross a double yellow and try to pass on a blind curve! F*&%$#$ing idiots.

Dont waste your time.. That trail sucks bad! I would only ride that trail to put in miles and nothing else.. It has some rought spots and is stright and nothing to look at, If you want to ride out there let me know. I was working out off of 557 (I think that is what it is). its like 2 roads up from the Van fleet trail and is a nice road that goes through the country and WAY out past Fantisy of flight. Im going to try and get Joe and another guy I ride with to ride it with me.. I was wanting to do it this saturday.


And if you ever want someone to ride with let me nkow.. I have no problems riding out to brandon/Valrico(sp) to ride.. send me a pm and we can exchange numbers.

Hope toy like your new bike!

Mileage is pretty much what I'd be after since there really isn't anywhere around me that I feel safe riding any distance just yet (traffic). I've also heard the VFT is essentially undeveloped the whole way through which I always find refreshing these days; even if it's just cow pasture it still beats condos anyday.

Mileage is pretty much what I'd be after since there really isn't anywhere around me that I feel safe riding any distance just yet (traffic). I've also heard the VFT is essentially undeveloped the whole way through which I always find refreshing these days; even if it's just cow pasture it still beats condos anyday.

I agree 100%. I find the VFT "refreshing" in these days of baby strollers, condos, and in line skaters taking up 75% of the trail. I have seen more wildlife on this trail than any other. That is what makes an interesting ride for me.

I rode 40 miles on the Van Fleet yesterday, 20 out and back again. Jon's right about it not being much of a challenge, but if you want to get away form the strip malls, housing developments etc, and just have some peace and quiet, and log some miles, this works real well. Once you get a couple miles away from the trail heads, you pretty much have the trail to your self.

I rode 40 miles on the Van Fleet yesterday, 20 out and back again. Jon's right about it not being much of a challenge, but if you want to get away form the strip malls, housing developments etc, and just have some peace and quiet, and log some miles, this works real well. Once you get a couple miles away from the trail heads, you pretty much have the trail to your self.

All I have even seen on that trail is goffer turtles. The trail is nice and quiet though. I have found some nice places to ride. But you still have to deal with cars. Today I rode from lakeland to eagle lake and really enjoyed it. Eagle lake has some nice areas to ride that I need to explore.

We all still need to get a nice group ride together. Anyone want to set it up? I can do one for lake lakeland area, but I would live to ride out in the Boyette, alafia area. Some nice areas to ride out there.

I ride Bayshore atleast 3 times a week...every week.

I commute from Ybor City to Downtown Saint Pete viea the Gandy, Pearl St, Bayshore. If you see a blue Surly and an orange jersey going down Bayshore just after 4pm, that's me.

Thats a nice commute you have. I'm sure I've passed by you before. I occasionally commute from south Tampa(kinda near Pearl St) up Bayshore through Ybor and up 12th St to USF. I ride an old black Schwinn and usually have a big backpack strapped over the rear tire.

I ride out that way quite a bit. I ride the Van Fleet and Auburndale trails, and around Polk City alot. I do a loop sometimes out Adams Barn road that's pretty nice. Polk City to Lake Alfred and back is a cool ride as well. Oh yeah, can't forget Green Pond Rd! I see alot of wildlike on the VF. I've seen deer, gators, coons, hawks, snakes, and once even a pair of Hogs.

I'm just starting cycling...I mean really just starting...like earlier this week.
Is there a website for these places that have been mentioned in this post to ride?
I live in S. Tampa off of Gandy and Bayshore.
SpokeApe

I'm just starting cycling...I mean really just starting...like earlier this week.
Is there a website for these places that have been mentioned in this post to ride?
I live in S. Tampa off of Gandy and Bayshore.
SpokeApe

SpokeApe- There are tons of sites relating to Fl. Trails

try this one
http://www.traillink.com/

Thank you, Wfin2004
I found one run by the State also.
Didn't know there were so many.
Rail to Trails looks like a bright idea.
SpokeApe

Thank you, Wfin2004
I found one run by the State also.
Didn't know there were so many.
Rail to Trails looks like a bright idea.
SpokeApe


You are more than Welcome. Glad to help.

I'm just starting cycling...I mean really just starting...like earlier this week.
Is there a website for these places that have been mentioned in this post to ride?
I live in S. Tampa off of Gandy and Bayshore.
SpokeApe
I am up for a ride. Let me know more details on when?

Thats a nice commute you have. I'm sure I've passed by you before. I occasionally commute from south Tampa(kinda near Pearl St) up Bayshore through Ybor and up 12th St to USF. I ride an old black Schwinn and usually have a big backpack strapped over the rear tire.

I'll wave when I see you.

I meet a guy the other day who works in down town Tampa and rides down Bayshore to work. Same direction I go. It was nice to have someone to draft with for a change. Seems there are a few of us who use the path.

Have just moved to the Westshore/Beach Park area. Getting into cycling... have heard from friends about cycling on the Bayshore Blvd sidewalk. I went there for a walk once, wasn't comfortable with the mingling of bikes and people. Will try it though, hopefully won't bump into people.

Is a cyclist legally allowed to ride on the interstates? I am looking at cycling over the Howard Frankland Bridge from Tampa to St. petersburg. If not, how about the Courtney Campbell Causeway (SR-60). I have seen a regular commuter cyclist on the Bayside Bridge in Pinellas county.

Is a cyclist legally allowed to ride on the interstates? I am looking at cycling over the Howard Frankland Bridge from Tampa to St. petersburg. If not, how about the Courtney Campbell Causeway (SR-60). I have seen a regular commuter cyclist on the Bayside Bridge in Pinellas county.


Good Morning KB- Even if the law allowed bikes on interstate hwy's, why would anyone want to ride the Howard Frankland? With all respect, I don't think you would want to do it a second time, because the first trip would have you curling up in a fetal position half way across. But seriously, no bicycles are allowed on any part of the Federal Interstate System. That includes the Howard Frankland. You used to be able to ride the Skyway before that became part if the Interstate System. The Courtney Cambell is a State Route, but this is what I find from a Google search:

That's why I don't understand why our government limits access to bicyclists to the Courtney Campbell Cauaseway, which, once you're on this road-on-the-bay, allows you to experience the Bay like no other resource. Unfortunately, it's ferociously dangerous to bike from Tampa to get to the causeway -- even if there's a rare bicycle sign to indicate there are bicycles in the area.

It's a web of highways that lead to the causeway. So I usually follow a paved side trail from the parking lot of the Skyway park off George Road south of Memorial and Independence Parkway that winds its way to State Road 60 and eventually the causeway.

But there's a construction site where the trail used to hook into State Road 60 and I basically had to cut through an area that I was later told by a construction foreman was off-limits to bicyclists.

wfin2004: thanks for the info. I am planning on taking a motorcycle safety course and get my license later on this year, but in no way would I want to take the eventual motorcycle (whether it be a 250cc or 600cc) cross the Howard Frankland or Causeway bridges. From my observations, many drivers consider 2-wheelers are bugs and should be crushed from their "right-of-way". My co-worker is a Harley rider, and claims that cage-drivers are a bunch of ignorants. Plus, my wife won't ever let me ride a motorcycle on weekdays to work, as I have to commute from the Westshore area in Tampa to US-19/Ulmerton Rd.

I guess it's Bayshore Blvd, Gandy's Friendship Trail, Suncoast Parkway and such to enjoy myself to, and of course, Ft. de Soto Park.

Off to ride on Bayshore Blvd in a bit.

wfin2004: thanks for the info. I am planning on taking a motorcycle safety course and get my license later on this year, but in no way would I want to take the eventual motorcycle (whether it be a 250cc or 600cc) cross the Howard Frankland or Causeway bridges. From my observations, many drivers consider 2-wheelers are bugs and should be crushed from their "right-of-way". My co-worker is a Harley rider, and claims that cage-drivers are a bunch of ignorants. Plus, my wife won't ever let me ride a motorcycle on weekdays to work, as I have to commute from the Westshore area in Tampa to US-19/Ulmerton Rd.

I guess it's Bayshore Blvd, Gandy's Friendship Trail, Suncoast Parkway and such to enjoy myself to, and of course, Ft. de Soto Park.

Off to ride on Bayshore Blvd in a bit.


Hey KB-
Our St. Pete office is Ulmerton Rd before 49 st. [Automobile Blvd] I live in Riverview, taking 301 north to the Crosstown, Taking it all the way to Gandy, all the way accross to St Pete taking Roosevelt to Ulmerton. I can't do that on a bike because of time. 1 hour and 20 minutes by car alone with only three lights! Glad to hear you ride Ft DeSoto as it is one of my favorite rides around this area. 16 miles if you go out and back on the three legs from the Fort. By the way, go to Westshore Pizza in your neighborhood. Almost the closest thing to real New York style in the state!:)

Did an almost-10 miler ride on Bayshore Blvd in Tampa, my first, although I have walked/jogged there before. Did Gandy Blvd to (almost) Platt St and back. Loads of people out there today, being a holiday. Was nice and cool as it was cloudy, until the clouds parted and the sun beat down. Didn't bike on the bike lane as my friend wanted to ride on the sidewalk like everyone else. Next time it's the road for me.

Was amazed that my (well, it's on loan from a co-woker) Specialized Allez Triple '06 contained many of the bumps and made the ride quite smooth. Shifting was smooth, although once the chain came off as I cocked-up the shifting - I was getting happy-fingered trigger-happy, being a techno geek.

Will ride on the Friendship Trail/Gandy Bridge a couple of laps tomorrow evening after work, hopefully it doesn't rain.

hello bayshore riders. hope to pass you soon....

Took a nice stroll from Gandy to Channel Side this evening on Bayshore, supprisingly soothing with all the mid summer night humidity!

I ride with the Tampa Bay Freewheelers from Seffner Elementary out to Buddy Freddy's in Plant City and back on Saturdays. There are three classes; novice (13 - 14 mph, shortest route - 26 miles), intermed (15 - 17 mph, 30 - 40 miles) and fastest (18 - 20 mph, 40 - 50 miles). I ride with the fastest group.

Anyone from the Tampa area or Brandon area is welcome to come.

man this is kind of an old thread, but anyway, (greyg8r) where do you all meet up for the saturday rides? this sounds interesting and i'm lookin for a larger group to ride with, usually its just me and my friend but it would be nice to have more people to draft and hang out with.

I rode from Gandy Blvd. to Centro Ybor tonight,
We (http://bike.meetup.com/273/calendar/) ride almost every to every other Thursday evening next one will be 12/20/2007, should anyone care to join in. We meet at 4Green Fields / Publix on Platt St, then go back residential roads up to about Bay to Bay and then on out to Ybor for a quick break. Social riding, not racing, but anyone's welcome to come along.

Drew

Hi All,
Just moved to Tampa this year -- haven't ridden much here but I plan to change that this year. Planning to find a route to ride to work like I used to in Chicago too. Hope to see ya'll on the roads!
JC