Jonathan Dickinson State Park
16450 S.E. Federal Hwy.
Hobe Sound, Fl
Club Scrub has done a fine job in building and maintaining the mountain bike trails. "Camp Murphy" as
the trail system is known, has miles of trails for all levels. Sugar sand, bridges, nice up hills and
down hills will give you a good workout. Careful with saw-grass and the butt-busting palmetto stumps along some
parts of the trail. For after the ride, bring Band-Aids for the paper cuts and a soft pillow for your butt.
The park has river front picnic tables, camping, hiking, fishing, and canoeing in the Loxahatchee River.
Annual MS Bike Ride 2001
Homestead to Key Largo
Possibly the best organized bike ride. The South Florida Multiple
Sclerosis Chapter hold an annual 'Breakaway to Key Largo' tour
that starts at Metro Zoo, winds through Homestead and ends at Pennekamp State Park in the Keys. Hundreds of riders of all ages and skills ride 50-150 miles over two days filled with well stocked rest stops, SAG support, and friendly volunteers. Meet other riders
and enjoy the evening socials.
Sheer biking fun! And the best part is that you are doing this for a worthwhile cause. Contact and support your local chapter.
Pigeon Key - Old Seven Mile Bridge
Fl. Keys
This small patch of
land lies directly below the (old)Seven Mile Bridge and was once used
as a base camp by Henry Flagler for his famous railroad. Pigeon Key is now a designated historic district and it is rented to colleges for research and is open to the public. The bridge is cut off just after Pigeon key but you can enjoy the two mile length.
You can fish, bike, run, or if you are lazy take the tram. There are tours available at Knight's Key. For more info:
Pigeon Key Foundation,
P. O. Box 500130, Marathon, FL 33050
Phone 305/289-0025; FAX 305/289-1065
Tour of Boca-2001
Boca Raton
Tour the Boca neighborhoods in this police escorted ride. You can get
to meet the locals and make new friends. The event is organized by the
Boca Raton Bicycle Club. The length is 15 miles at a leisurely pace and
it is great for family and people of all ages. A rest stop is provided,
stocked with goodies. The bad thing is that it is only 15 miles. The good
thing is that it is held monthly through the winter. All this for $2.00.
Markham Park
16001 W. State Rd. 84, Sunrise, FL 33326
(954) 389-2000 � Fax: (954) 389-2019
Markham is better known for other activities besides mountain biking.
Although the mountain bike trails are few compared to Oleta, the park
offers challenging intermediate singletrack with stair drops,
switchbacks, exposed roots, and protruding coral rock
which will turn your teeth to chiclets if you're not careful. Entrance
fee is $1.00 per vehicle and parking is abundant. Hold on to your seat
amigo and ride!
Highlands Bicycle Festival 2000
An annual 3 day event with rides ranging 10-100 miles organized by
Linda Leeds.
Rides start and end at the historic Kennilworth Lodge. There are scenic
routes for everyone's taste, some with hills, others flat. Rest stops are
well supplied and the lunch provided at the Lodge is great to say the
least.
End the first day with police escorted night ride around a beautiful
christmas lit downtown circle. If you are not a kid you will feel like
one. Saturday and Sunday are filled with more rides, prizes, plus other
activities to keep you busy.
Oleta River
3400 N.E. 163rd Street
North Miami, FL 33160
305/919-1846.
If you do any mountain biking in South Florida do it here.
A maze of trails from expert to novice. The park offers a bike
wash area so you can remove the dust or caked mud from your two-wheeled
chariot. There are some downhill sections that can make you do
a head plant. Bring water and Band-Aids.
C-111 Canal
This trail follows the canal.Trip length is a long as you want it to
be. From the start point to the bridge is 6 miles (this is as far as I
have gone).There the trail winds in several directions for 70 plus
miles.There is very little shade and it's best to do this trip during the
cooler months. If you do the trip in the summer bring plenty of water and
sunscreen.
Also the bugs are vicious at the start point in summer so be prepared.You
are pretty much on your own and probably will not see another soul except
a fisherman or two at the bridge.There is a map posted on mile marker 3.
While the trail is great for hiking, a mountain bike is best. It is a very
bumpy ride and the last 3 miles are sandy. Note:If you come prepared you
will find this an enjoyable trip otherwise this will become a march from
Hell.
Shark Valley Tram Road
Take Tamiami Trail (SW 8 St.) and head west.
Why it is called Shark Valley is beyond me.
It should be named Alligator Road because of
the many, many gators that pepper this 15 mile loop.
Bring your road bike and put the pedal to the metal.
This loop provides an excellent place for you
to train. Surrounded by swamp on both sides you have a 12 ft. wide swath
of unobstructed paved trail (an occasional tram service takes the
tourists around the
the trail to gator watch) . You'll find some alligators
sunbathing directly in your path. A lookout tower is at midway point.
Entrance fee is a whopping $8.00 per vehicle so it's cheaper to car pool.
Key Biscayne
You start at the toll booth ($1.00)and park anywhere along the beach.
Grab your road bike and ride along a scenic route aprox. 9 miles one way.
Bikers, joggers, and skaters share this path. Go all the way to Bill
Baggs State Park (another $1.00 for bikers). Stop for lunch at the
Lighthouse Grill if you like, or splash in the crystal clear beach. For a
longer ride start from Monty's in the Grove and get a view of the locals.
Great ride but be prepared. Bring
spares, patch kit and pump.
South Broward Wheelers Annual Century
Held in the fall, rides start at Brian Piccolo Park. Rides are 100
miles, 62 miles and supervised and unsupervised 25 miles. Lunch and other
freebies are included in the registration. Dedicated and experienced
members lead you on a great ride. All skill levels. The rides
provide a great opportunity to meet fellow riders and view the
surrounding neighborhoods. The club also have weekly rides.
Want to know more about a particular trip? Email us!
