long weekend(s) in FL; where to ride?
 

This crappy snow-filled winter (plus the recent arrival of a pair of custom built bikes with S&S Couplers) has convinced us that we need to get out of New York and go do some riding where it's warm. Figured if we go somewhere in Florida we'd have the widest selection of potential flights. So...

Where's the good road cycling in Florida?

Any clubs that have cue sheets published on their websites, or similar resources for finding safe, challenging routes of various distances? Any clubs that welcome out-of-towners to their group rides? Any areas to avoid?

I suspect we'd be looking at one of the coasts, just so there's something to do for when we're off the bikes...but we do like to spend long days on the bikes, so if there's some podunk town with nothing to offer but a motel smack dab in the middle of the state's best riding, we'll consider that too. But hoping to avoid Orlando, 'cuz then we'd feel obligated to visit relatives. :)


Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

Tampa Bay area

Orlando... just don't tell the relatives you are coming. If you do hit Orlando let me know and I will turn you on to some good rides.

http://www.spacecoastfreewheelers.com

That's our club website, which has a lot of cue sheets for local rides. (the area is near Kennedy Space Center/Cocoa Beach) They will allow people to ride along on the group rides, too.

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/gwt/guide/

That site lists many rail to trails paths accross the state. My favorite is the Nature Coast trail, north of Tampa. It's worth a couple days to ride it and explore the parks, natural springs, and sights along the way.

The east coast is great for touring, from St. Augustine to Jupiter. You simply take A1A where available, and use the 'old' U.S. 1 route on the inland side, which is called by different names, like Old Dixie, or Indian River Rd/Dr. If you scope it out on Google Earth or www.Bikely.com , you can make a safe route easily. I just did the route from Cocoa Beach to Jupiter and back, and it was awesome. The route is safe and scenic, @130 miles each way. Good luck whatever you decide.

Same as SloSpoke - give a shout/PM once you get down this way and have figured out which coast or area you're going to ride. Still a bit chilly for some down this way there are used to the warmer weather - it was around 45 at the start of a ride last Saturday just south of Tampabay.

The most challenging routes in Fl are in the Clermont area, where there are actually some pretty decent hills.

Here's a link to some maps/cue sheets for the area-
http://www.horrible-hundred.com/hhroutes.html

Tampa Bay area is where I live. Here is a link to the club I ride with, many routes posted in the Ride Schedule section. Also two great trails in the area; Pinellas Trail and Suncoast Trail. visitors welcome to ride http://www.suncoastcycling.com/

Mark

All of us Tampa area riders have got to have something going on if we all tell you about our fantastic trails. You have beach rides, forest rides, rides through the back yards of a large city, well. all kind of rides.

Ft. DeSoto being my fav. Withlacochee Trail second. Suncoast Parkway rates right up there as well. In fact, there is not acrappy trail in Florida.

You could throw a dart at central FL from the Space Coast to Tampa St Pete and any spot you hit you can find good riding. All of the posters above are offering good suggestions.

+1 Also one of the nicest and easiest airports (TPA) to get in and out of. If you have an option to consider Allegiant Air to fly into Tampa Bay/St. Pete (PIE), it's worth looking at. Usually a direct flight and inexpensive.