Orlando: Rentals and Routes?
 

I'll be in Orlando, FL (USA) in a few weeks for business and find myself with an entire Saturday [potentially] or Sunday free of obligations. I'm thinking this might be a good opportunity to rent a bike and spend the day in the saddle. So, to that point:

1) Any suggestions on reputable LBS to call about renting a decent road bike? I can bring my own pedals and shoes, of course.

2) Could you suggest any "must see" paved rides / routes / areas that would get me a bunch of miles? 40 - 100 would be cool depending on what's down there.

Thanks! I will do some web searches, of course, but I have to assume that there are some folks here who may have first hand knowledge.

Also, I'm new here so if there's a better place to ask "where to ride" type questions just nudge me along. :)

Thanks,

Chris

Chris,

Contact Orange Cycle (1 location) the largest bike store in Orlando, or David's World Cycle (4 locations) I think both rent bikes.

Many good trails in the Orlando area. West Orange Trail. Seminole Wekiva Trail, Cross Seminole Trail, Spring to Spring Trail. Short drive to the Van Fleet Trail, easy to do a century on this trail.

If you are looking for more road riding as opposed to trails, Google the Florida Freewheelers web site loads of good maps. They also have good Saturday and Sunday rides that anyone is welcome to join. You can get info at there website.

http://www.kylesbikeshop.net/ best bet for bike rental

Where will you be staying? With that info I can give you some more pointed advise.

Thanks for the reply and tips! I'll be staying at "JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes" and, at this point, I have little clue as to where that is with respect to anything useful ;-)

I checked the sites of Orange Cycle and David's World Cycle. Nothing about rentals on them, unfortunately. Perhaps I'll just pick up the phone though. Kyles rents a bike though. My small-town "cheapness" is rubbed a little at spending $45 for a KHS but hey, it ain't like I'm buying it! I'm sure it would be fine.

I'll looks for the Freewheelers site next and see what they have for maps and rides.

Thanks for the tips and fee free to share anything else that comes to mind :-)

LocoMotion in Baldwin Park (Orlando subdivision) rents bikes and they never screwed me over on service. It is conveniently located next to Cady Way trail, from there you can connect to a Cross Seminole Trail and after couple tricky transitions to a Seminole-Wekiva trail.

Hopefully, you can tolerate mid-nineties heat with 100% humidily. Just sayin'

Good Luck

Bikes and Blades on the West Orange Trail rents bikes and they've always been nice to me

Bikes and Blades would be a good choice. They are at the southern trail head for the West Orange Trail. You could ride north on the WOT or ride west on the South Lake Trail. Rides around Clermont can be a little hilly if that is your thing. The Horrible Hundred route can be very taxing even if you are used to riding hills. The climbs are pretty short but the degree of incline can be tough. Some of these hills are called The Momma and The Poppa, The Wall, Sugar Loaf Mt., and Hospita Hill to name a few. I have seen many people walking them.

Hi all,

Thanks everyone for the rental suggestions, I will also be in Orlando in 2 weeks for a business trip, and am looking for good trails as well. Perhaps with nice lake/water scenery for early morning/sunset rides? Maybe a website with some trail options?

I will be staying at the Marriot Lake Buena Vista.

Thanks!