bobthib

I've lived here in So. Fla for about 20 yrs now, and started road biking about 2 yrs ago. I've heard tell of some rides along the levees that surround portions of the northwest edge of the Everglades. I've been telling myself that I'm gonna do it, but I never seem to get a round twit.

Today my riding partner, a very strong riding tri-gal, was telling me that her and her hubby often train out there on the MTBs. The roads are all flat as a pancake, packed gravel, and there is no traffic. She told me about trails I never knew existed.

Now I'm all pumped about going out there with my son's mtb or me and the wife taking the tandem out with some 38s on it. In prep for that, I mapped out some routes with the help of the "hybrid" view on the RideWithGPS site.

The first is a 22 mi out and back, across the everglades. This route I never knew existed until today. I think this will be the first that me and the wife will do on the tandem.

Atlantic to Sawgrass Rec Park and Back

The second is a slightly longer ride, 26.5 mi, in a loop around part of the everglades conservation area. It starts at the same point, but heads south first, then west to US 27. There you hop on the bike path along US 27 for about 3 mi, and back into the levees at the Sawgrass Recreation Park. From there its straight back to the start on Atlantic Blvd.

26.5 mi around the Conservation Area

The third ride as a 75 mi loop around the Loxahachee wild life preserve. It heads north on the levee from Atlantic Blvd. to Lox Road, then northwest along the levee to Brown's Farm. There you head north on the levee and ride around Loxahachee. That will bring you back to Lox road, then it's about 8 miles south to Atlantic Blvd. This looks like a nice Saturday jaunt.

75 mi around Loxahachee

Hope to see some of you out there enjoying these rides.

stapfam

I wouldn't do the 75 miler till they get some hills on it.

BluesDawg

Sometimes I wonder would I even have become interested in cycling if I lived in the flatlands.

crazyb

But you don't have alligators to dodge

Allegheny Jet

Those Everglades are infested with pythons, be careful when you stop to pee.

Garilia

I call them speed bumps. I don't think you need full suspension to jump over them.

edp773

Encountering an alligator or wild boar might be more exhilarating than a big hill!!

BluesDawg

We have those, too...and hills!

crazyb

Ok, so how fast is an alligator going uphill? Or a Boar?

stapfam

After the joshing---Have to give you some Kudos. Mountain bikes on any surface will give you a far better workout than a road bike. The weight of the things- The Front suspension if fitted and the knobbly tyres all add up to a bike that after doing long road rides on the flatlands- will give you a "Bit" of a workout. Not much but throw in a bit of unmade trail- or even long grass grabbing the tyres and you will wonder what hit you.

I went the other way and got a road bike to make things easier. But on our short sharp hills I do get a sweat on occasionally. Problem is that the allure of our offroad hills is too great. I still have to get out for a few rides on the trails to get my "Fix" a few times a year.

Just be carefull- Offroading is addictive for the challenge it gives.

bobthib

Nonsense. Never happen! Biking here is among the safest places on earth.

wiredfoxterror

Beware the alligator mating season from about the middle of April through the month of May. That's when even the BIG BOYS get really active and you see a LOT more gators. Warning that they are all looking for more food during this time to "keep the fires burning". Even the little ones.

Garilia

Thanks for the route info Bob. My next Everglades ride will probably be at Shark Valley.

I also plan ot bring the bike with me on next month's campout to Salt Springs in Ocala National Forest.

Kurt Erlenbach

Great! An opportunity to post my collection of alligator photos from various rides in the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge:

bobthib

Kerlenbach, have you ran across one of these in your neighborhood? Found near Jax.