Located just about 12 miles southeast of downtown Tampa, the small town of Riverview, Florida, is nestled at the shores of the Alafia River. Alafia means "River of Fire," a name it has earned because of phosphorous on the river bottom that glows at night and makes the water surface sparkle. The river is only one of many beautiful nature treasures you may encounter while taking your bicycle out for a ride in this area.
Alafia River State Park Mountainbike Trails in Lithia
The Alafia River State Park just east of Riverview offers a diverse mix of off-road trails and is popular with mountain bikers of all skill levels. Both novices and highly advanced, off-road enthusiasts will find spots that suit their skill sets on this former phosphate mining site. Beginners will enjoy the Sand Pine trail whereas mountain bike masters will have their skill set challenged at the highly technical Gatorback Trail, which features extreme elevation changes. The park trail head provides a picnic area, pavilions, bathrooms, and bike rinsing stations.
Paved Trails and Offroad Trails in the Withlacoochee State Forest in Brooksville
Located about 45 minutes north of Riverview, conveniently close to Interstate 75, the Croom off-road trail in the Withlacoochee State Park is the longest of Florida's single-track off-road trails. Two largely non-technical loops of 12 and 35 miles respectively combine to a total length of 55 miles if you add the connectors. If you're unfamiliar with Croom, make sure to stay on the marked paths and not get lost on spur trails. Obtain a trail map from the SWAMP Club, which maintains these trails, before you head out. Road cyclists travel to this area to take on the 46-mile-long Withlacoochee Trail, one of the longest of Florida's rails-to-trails bike ways, which will lead you through some mostly rural areas. On your way from Citrus Springs to Trilby, you'll pass ranches and a few small towns, but you'll mostly zip past fields, pastures, and wilderness.
Balm Boyette Scrub Reserve in Brandon
Just a few miles south of Riverview, the Balm Boyette Scrub Reserve provides a total of 25 miles--including a Northern Loop and a Southern Loop--of mountain bikers' heaven. Relative off-road novices to advanced riders will find tracks that suit and challenge their skill set in this trail system.
Pinellas Trail in Pinellas County
Florida's most popular recreational trail is also its busiest: The Pinellas Trail cuts right through several of the densely populated Gulf Coast's towns, using the corridor of the former Orange Belt train tracks. This local favorite starts next to the yacht club in downtown Saint Petersburg, just 35 miles from Riverview, and takes you all the way to beautiful Tarpon Springs. Despite a total length of 34 miles, this trail isn't suited for the most ambitious cyclists, but it is an ideal place for casual riders who enjoy a more moderate travel speed and lots of diversions along the way.
Suncoast Trail in Pasco and Hernando Counties
About 41 miles of mostly straight asphalt make the Suncoast Trail an excellent destination for serious road cyclists who want to exercise without worrying about car traffic. Developed as part of the Suncoast Parkway toll road, this non-motorized paved trail parallels the parkway from northern Hillsborough through Pasco and Hernando counties. Seven trail heads allow easy access.
Upper Tampa Bay Trail
Located in the northwest Tampa area, the Upper Tampa Bay Trail (UTBT) is relatively short at approximately 8 miles in length, but this paved recreational trail at the west shore of Channel A offers a nice urban setting for casual riders. The UTBT will eventually double in length to connect to the Suncoast Trail.
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