Florida Route

[Tony D]

I am taking the southern tier from San Diego.  Instead of going across Florida to Augustine, I want to head South along the Gulf down to Fort Meyers.  Does anyone know a good route from Tallahassee South to Fort Meyers?

[JHamelman]

Hi Tony,

You might want to contact the Florida Bicycle/Pedestrian Coordinator. They usually have some suggestions for good routes in their states.

Dennis Scott
State Pedestrian & Bicycle Coordinator
850-245-1527; Fax 850-245-1554
E-mail: dennis.scott@dot.state.fl.us

Dwight Kingsbury
Assistant Pedestrian and Bicycle Coordinator
State Safety Office
850-245-1520; Fax 850-245-1554
E-mail: dwight.kingsbury@dot.state.fl.us

.Jennifer.

[phlegma]

I'm about to head through Florida myself next week.  I've found the following 30-40 mile bicycle trails from TrailLink.com

Nature Coast State Trail
General James A. Van Fleet State Trail
Withlacoochee State Trail
Gainesville-Hawthorne State Park Trail
Suncoast Trail
St. Marks Historic Railroad State Trail

I've never ridden them, but the website will give you maps and some good photos.  Just select Florida in the search menu and check them all out.  Also, you out to check out google.com/maps and just map it out yourself.  The coolest part is if you drag the little orange stick figure on the left of the screen, you can see first-person street views of any road.  Cheers!

[damselfli]

I suggest going online to the local Bike Club in Ft Myers
www.caloosariders.com
and posting the question on their blog/post page (you will have to sign in)...

some of the members there do extensive rides through the state, and since most of them Ride to the Ride, they would likely know!

[tonythomson]

Hi Tony
Have just finished the S Tier and used the St Marks Rail to Trail and the Withalacoochi Trail or also called Tammy Trace.  Sorry about that spelling but nothing to crib from!  Both great for cycling as I came up from Orlando.
Good luck another Tony

[litespeed]

I can give you a route down the west coast of Florida as far as St. Petersburg. Here it is: US19 south to Cross City. Nature Coast Trail to Chiefland. US alt27 east to Bronson. 337 and 336 to Dunnellon/Citrus Springs. Withlacoochee Trail to Floral City. State 41 to Brooksville. State 50 west 6 miles to the Suncoast Trail. South to 54 then west to US19. About 4 miles south to the Pinellas Trail and on to St. Pete.

Unfortunately you can't bicycle over the Sunshine Skyway so unless you can hitch a ride over it you probably will have to find some way to make your way through or around Tampa.