My husband and I are going to ride this trail next weekend. We want to start at the North end and at least get to the Honeymoon Island area. Can anyone recommend any reasonable motels/hotels in the area?
Thanks

Lindaosm, you will find a complete range of motels along US 19 in the Tarpon Springs area at the north end of the trail you can take your pick. Just west of the intersection of US 19 and the trail is the Elfers Spur to North Anclote River Park Nature Trail a nice little side trip. A good place for breakfast or lunch is Tulas (sp) it will be on your left as you travel south on the trail and is just south of Tarpon ave (great Greek Salad and sandwich wraps). There is a bike shop next door. Other good places to eat are on Tarpon Ave and down by the sponge docks. Great Greek food.

Enjoy your ride

Not sure how many miles you want to ride, but I would suggest staying in Dunedin. This would be around mile marker 23. There is a relatively new Holiday Inn Express on 975 Broadway (Alternate 19) at Skinner Blvd. It is about a 1/2 block from the trail. It is also within walking distance of the restaurant area in Dunedin (very good) and the Dunedin Brewery (if you like micro-brews). It would be 11 miles to north end of the trail or about 9 to the Sponge Dock area in Tarpon Springs. Honeymoon Island would be about 5 miles (all distances one way).

The trail is pretty busy on weekend mornings, but usually a safe and fun ride. If you are interested in longer rides then check out the Suncoast Cycling Club website in the Ride Schedule section for links to many ride maps in the area.

Have a good ride!

Oh yeah, and if you like BBQ, Eli's is right on Skinner at the trail. Not open on Sunday, but worth the effort on Saturday!

Mark

I used to live in Largo. Was born in Tampa and grew up in Pinellas. Beautiful trail, just be very careful at the major road crossings. LOTS of elderly people that don't stop/yield for the trail.

thanks so much for all the input. I'm going to print some of these to take with us. I think we're looking to stay in the Dunedin area and then we can ride one day north and the next to at least Honeymoon Island.

If you decide to ride out to Honeymoon Island just be aware that the path from the Pinellas Trail out to the island is a heavily used MUP/sidewalk with many pedestrians, roller bladers, and other users. Unlike the Pinellas Trail itself, there is no separate bike path out to the island and using the road is not advisable (especially over the drawbridge). Just be careful and plan extra time. If you go all the way to the end of the road you enter Honeymoon Island State Park. Admission for bike riders is $2/each.

Have fun! I grew up around there and it is a very nice area.

Bill

Great tip on the traffic! Would have to also suggest doing the Honeymoon Island trip on the North ride as it is North of Dunedin. Make sure you carry at least $1.00 per person to pay toll to get out onto Honeymoon island. On the day you head South you may want to carry a few extra bucks again and keep going onl out to Ft DeSoto. There's a bit of traffic between the end of the trail and the toll road out to the park, but it's a great beach.

My inlaws live in Largo just a block off the Trail, so I've been up and down most of it more times than I can count. It's a terrific trail. Do be careful at some of the at-grade crossings though, 'cause you never know what the old guys in the Sedan DeVilles are gonna do!

If you're going to go clear to DeSoto, be careful and pay attention to the road signs! I wasn't paying attention, and got lost in downtown StPete one fine August afternoon, and my 20 miles to DeSoto turned into 30 miles, two flats, no water, and an excruciating sunburn!

Seriously, though, if you can find your way across one of the causeways out onto Gulf Blvd, there's a marvelous place called The Frog Pond, that serves heavy-caliber magnum breakfasts. MOST worth it. For later in the day, where Ulmerton/Walsingham (SR 688) runs into Gulf Blvd there's a joint called PJ's Oyster Bar that serves up great cheap seafood. Warning, the locals pack the place early, so expect a wait.

riding the trail in the morning 1-16-10
Meeting at 8am Sat. 102nd Ave N and the Pinelas trail
riding to Tarpon Springs and back then the 3 bridges in Clearwater

anyone want to join in?