Upper Tampa Bay Trail Crime Alert

[bikecrate]

http://www2.tbo.com/news/health-4-yo...red-ar-351511/

I ride out there a couple times a month. I didn’t realize this was such a bad crime area.

It puts in perspective something that happened to me a couple of months ago. I had just finished my ride and was loading my bike up in the parking area when I notice a young man from across the street stand up and walk towards me. He kind of did this slow semi circle around the back of my car trying to stay out of my line of sight. I can’t put my finger on it exactly, but my mental alarm system went off. I had the distinct feeling he was sizing me up. I quickly closed up the back of my SUV and wheeled around to make him aware I saw him. Fortunately, nothing happened and he walked off. It could have been my imagination, but…

[TrailViewMount]

What trailhead were you at? Anyone lurking or coming up to me to talk without a bicycle is a red flag in my world.

[DEK]

This is interesting as I ride this trail - a lot! I've ridden well over 2,500 miles on this trail in the last year and haven't had any issues. But then again, I'm a 56 year old, 200+ lb. man; so, maybe I don't seem like an easy target.

[bikecrate]

What trailhead were you at? Anyone lurking or coming up to me to talk without a bicycle is a red flag in my world.

It's the far south parking area, near the high school, that's on the bend of Memorial Hwy. I'm not sure if it has a specific name.

[DEK]

It's the far south parking area, near the high school, that's on the bend of Memorial Hwy. I'm not sure if it has a specific name.

That's the Montague trailhead. I live about 1.5 miles west of there and use that as my main access to the trail. I sometimes see kids that I assume are from the H.S. hang around there but I've never seen any trouble. Of course, that doesn't mean it hasn't happened.

[bikecrate]

That's the Montague trailhead. I live about 1.5 miles west of there and use that as my main access to the trail. I sometimes see kids that I assume are from the H.S. hang around there but I've never seen any trouble. Of course, that doesn't mean it hasn't happened.

The incident I mention above was the only time I felt something wasn't right. However, I was there on a rare weekday and the trail was fairly deserted. Most of the time I'm out on weekend mornings and the trail is full of other users.