Along Florida's Gulf Coast is a hidden beauty, unveiled only to those who have been on its trails. They are wondrous and well worth exploring. Bicyclists among others have long recognized this fact. The Gulf's warm weather favors bicyclists with what could be a year-round activity along hundreds of its scenic trails. The paths cut through thick green foliage. Poinsettias, acacias, mangroves, palms, maples and birch trees are a few of the vast numbers of plants that make Florida a site to behold. Scenic trails wind along the green brush in rural areas, and then through busy urban areas, thus connecting cities, parks and beaches, to each other. Visitors are welcome to explore, appreciate and travel along these paths that frequently pass near resorts, endowing them with extra benefits.
The Pinellas Trail
One of Florida's greatest bike Trails is the Pinellas Trail. Bert Valery Sr. initiated its construction in 1983 after his son (Bert Valery Jr.) was run over, while bicycling. The wasted space of a railway's right of way, whose use, long since ended, was converted into one of Florida's most incredible trails. The trail has been a work in progress since its opening in 1984. It's now 35 miles long and has 90,000 guests visiting it each month. The trail begins in Tarpon Springs and ends in St. Petersburg. It's loaded with fantastic scenery, especially those seen from the over passes that overlook the ocean. But not only is the trail aesthetically pleasing, it's extremely useful. It connects the quaint restaurants, shops and nightclubs of Dunedin and Tarpon Springs to those in St. Petersburg.
Resort Features
There are hundreds of Gulf Coast resorts near great biking trails. Florida resorts offer every imaginable amenity and are able to please even the pickiest guests. Clean rooms, plush furniture, fresh bedding, scenic balconies, Internet connections, premium channels, and room service are just a few common features offered by most resorts. Furthermore, many resorts sit on oceanfront property, and feature golf, tennis, scuba diving, shopping, spas and world-class dining.
A Few Notable Resorts
The Sundial Beach and Golf resort is located on Sanibel Island (just west of Ft. Meyers) and is a tropical paradise. Palm trees accent lush verdant vegetation around an ocean front resort. The swimming pool is set just off the surf and gives bathers a choice of venues. Bicyclists may enjoy the Sanibel-Captiva bike trail, which passes close to the resort and offers incredible scenery.
The Vinoy Renaissance Resort and Golf Club in St. Petersburg is located close to the Pinellas trail and features golfing, tennis, swimming, fitness training, as well as, restaurants, nightclubs, and grand ballrooms
The Innisbrook Resort and Gulf Club, is one of Florida's most luxurious resorts. It offers weekly vacation rentals, includes golfing, tennis, dining, swimming, recreation and even wedding receptions. Message, relaxation, skin and body treatments are available at the Indaba Spa (the in-house spa). The resort's 620 choice guest rooms and suites are beautiful and include every imaginable service and amenity. The Pinellas Trail is conveniently located just two miles due west of the resort.
Popular Bike Trails
There are hundreds of Gulf Coast bike trails, including the Suncoast, Honeymoon Island, Osprey, Redfish, Regional, and Pinellas trails. Each of them offer unique experiences. Many urban trails bustle with people skating, jogging and dog walking, while rural nature trails offers insight into wildlife and natural scenery.
Putting the Vacation Together
The Florida Gulf Coast Chapter and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection prepared an interactive-online map containing every bicycle path in the state of Florida (The Florida Trails Network). Click on it, and expand the area of interest (your resort location), and the bicycle paths, points of interest and parks will become highlighted. Once you've decided on a resort expand its area and explore the locations of all the nearest bike paths.
Bike Safety
Although, the weather is warm year round, and a number of State of Florida organizations have put effort into creating safe paths and trails, most roads continue to be extremely hazardous, even so. If you can, try to stay on trails not shared with other traffic. Motorists frequently weave in and out of biking paths that run alongside of major roads. Driver training with regard to bicycling traffic is minimal, so that, exit-ways, sidewalks and intersection-crosswalks continue to be areas of high risk.
To combat the driver carelessness, maintain a state of alertness. While crossing the path of a car, ring a bell, whistle or call out --gain the drivers attention: this decreases the likelihood of getting run over.
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