Originally Posted by
Boston5602
Hi all,
Wondering if any of you ride trails that warn you to stay on trail and not feed the alligators. At one point near the trail , but still in the water. I saw a gator just hanging out. Trail is about 6 feet across with a few more feet on each side that angles down towards water. I stopped and turned around as it was 1.25 miles from trail start and had 16 more to go. What do you all do, ride on or turn around. Just wondering. The trail was the Lake Apopka trail starting at Magnolia park.
Have a great day!
Just keep riding, they (the gators) are used to seeing people go by, they’re not going to attack you, in fact if you were to stop and move towards them, they will slip back into the water. I’ve been as close as 3 feet to little gators (3-5 feet) and 6 feet away from bigger gators (8-12 feet) on the side of the bike trails in the woods of the Highlands Hammock State Park in Sebring, FL many times, I ride there 2-3 times a week, they either run away (slip into the water) or just sit there watching, but none have ever come at me. They are more afraid of you than you are of them.
BUT….don’t try to pet them, no matter how small and cute! If provoked they will bite! And don’t feed them! Just take a picture and move on. And don’t go swimming at night, the Gators own the night!
Typical day at the hammock.