Ride Schedule for March and April, 2020 - Cancelled due to COVID-19

March 1 - ***Changed Start *** Flatwoods Loop from Bruce B. Downs Blvd.
  • Distance: 16 miles with options to double or triple the mileage
  • Speed: 10-14 mph with the main group, or pick your own speed if you choose, and ride ahead
  • Meeting time: 8:00 AM (prompt departure - 8:15 AM)
  • **New Meeting Location:** Bruce B. Downs entrance to Flatwoods Park, 18205 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Tampa, 33647. NOTE: Bring $2 for parking in the county park - Hillsborough County Parks do NOT honor Handicapped stickers (you still must pay!!)
  • Note New Policy at Flatwoods: NO E-Bikes

  • Ride Leader: Susie (813) 508-4842 (call or text)
    From the Bruce B. Downs trailhead we'll ride a two-mile extension trail and head for a two-mile nature trail through New Tampa Park. Then we'll return, cross Trout Creek (or take the bridge if the creek is flooded), and ride on to the Flatwoods Loop trail. Halfway around we'll take a one-mile extension trail out to the entance at Morris Bridge road. After a rest stop at the main trailhead we'll complete the Loop Trail and then ride back on the BBD extension to our cars. Look for deer, turkey and other wildlife in the woods. This ride is entirely on bike trails. 

    There are long stretches of open pavement for those who prefer to speed ahead of the group. For those who want a longer ride, you can ride the 7-mile Loop again (and again, and again, etc.!!) We'll breakfast at Panera Breads on Bruce B. Downs after the ride. There are restrooms and water at the start and halfway into the ride.

    March 8 - Upper Tampa Bay Trailhead to the Suncoast Parkway to Starkey Park
    • Meeting Time: 8:00 AM (leave promptly at 8:15 AM)
    • Meeting Location: 7020 Lutz Lake Fern Road, Odessa, FL 33556 (you will need $2 to park)
    • Distance: ~30, depending upon how far we ride into Starkey Park 
    • Speed 12-16 mph
    • Ride Leader: John (813) 613-6047 (call or text)
    We'll start at the recently completed new trailhead for the Upper Tampa Bay Trail on Lutz-Lake Fern road and ride east along the new trail on the south side of the road until we connect with the former trailhead for the Suncoast Bike Trail, just before the Parkway overpass. From there we'll ride north to Pasco County (7 miles) and the entrance into Starkey Park. We'll ride west into the park and enjoy this wilderness area which contains palmetto thickets, cool pine forests, deer, wild hogs and the headwaters of the Anclote and Pithlachascotee Rivers, and then reverse our route back to our cars. We ride in every direction on this route, so if there's a wind (and there always seems to be one on this trail), we'll catch it! However, there are many long straight sections for those of you who want to sprint ahead. 

    This ride is entirely on bike trails. For those who want a shorter ride, just turn around when you've had enough. We'll drive to breakfast after the ride. Note: There are restrooms and water at the start, but little in-between.

    March 15 - Gus's Ride  - Carrollwood Village to Odessa
    • Meeting Time: 8:00 AM (leave promptly at 8:15 AM)
    • Meeting Location: West Village Commons Parking lot (5356-5368 Ehrlich Road, Tampa 33624) - park on the east side of the parking lot, next to W. Village Road 
    • Distance: 25-28 miles
    • Speed: 11-13 mph
    • Ride Leader: Don (813-964-9193 - no texts, this is a landline)
    We will ride slowly through the suburban neighborhoods of Carrollwood Village and north Tampa and then meander around the rural lanes and lakes of Odessa. We'll return back along the same route. Bring a kind thought, if you wish, in honor of Gus the llama. We'll enjoy breakfast at a nearby restaurant following the ride. Restrooms before, during and after the ride.

    March 22 - Starkey Park, aka Freda's Ride to see the Alligator (maybe!!!)
    • Meeting Time: 8:00 AM (riders leave promptly at 8:15)
    • Meeting Location: Havana Dreamers, 3104 Town Ave. Trinity Florida 34655 (corner of Starkey Blvd and Town Ave - park on the street or in the dirt lot across from the restaurant)
    • Distance: 25 miles
    • Speed: 10-14 mph
    • Ride Leaders: Freda, 847-714-6860 (call or text) and other helpers 
    Beginning in one of Pasco County's sprawling subdivision-towns we'll take the Starkey Blvd. bike path, across the street from Havana Dreamers, and ride 4 miles north to the entrance of Starkey Park. We'll ride the park's 7-mile Wilderness Trail until we reach the Suncoast Bike Trail. There we turn north and go 1/2 mile to see a pond with a (maybe!) resident alligator. We return the same way we rode out, adding a one-mile loop in Starkey Park for a water and restroom stop. While in the park we may see white-tailed deer, fox squirrels, sandhill cranes, and numerous varieties of other birds. Restrooms are also available before the ride at Havana Dreamers where we'll enjoy coffee, pastries, breakfast and/or lunch after the ride.

    March 29 - St. Pete's "Westside Story"
    • Meeting Time 8:00 AM (prompt departure at 8:15 AM)
    • Meeting Location: Apple Photographics parking lot, 3032 49th St. North, St. Petersburg FL 33710
    • Distance: ~25 miles
    • Speed: 12 -14 mph
    • Ride Leader: Earl of St. Pete, 727-455-7854 (call or text)
    Get ready to sing and dance on your bikes as we explore the "Westside Story" of St. Petersburg. From our start in the middle of St. Pete we'll head west until we hit the Intracoastal Waterway, then turn south all the way to Central Avenue and South Pasadena. From there, it's back east through Gulfport and north to our start. On the way we'll tour many of the city's tranquil lakes and parks as we wind through the quiet and shaded neighborhoods of Disston Heights, Garden Manor, Azalea Homes, Jungle Terrace, Jungle Prada, Causeway Isles, La Vista, Pasadena on the Gulf and Beachway Park. We'll even ride a stretch of the Pinellas Trail on our return. There is history here too, including Admiral Farragut Academy and Stetson University of Law, Jungle Prada de Navaez Park with its Indian Mound and even a few blocks featuring historic "tiny" houses. Keep your eyes peeled on the way back and you might catch sight of a herd of wild peacocks. We'll ride to breakfast at the end of the ride. Restrooms (including one blessed by a goddess) at the start, midpoint (sort of) and end of the ride. 

    April 5 - Oldsmar Discovery
    • Meeting Time: 8:00 AM (leave promptly at 8:15 AM)
    • Meeting Location: Shelter #5, Philippe Park, 2525 Philippe Parkway, Safety Harbor, FL 34695 (first parking lot/pavilion to the right of the park entrance)
    • Distance: 25 miles
    • Speed: Minimum 12, Maximum 16
    • Ride Leader: Tampa Earl, 727-415-8993 (call or text)
    Beginning with a warm-up uphill loop through Philippe Park we will ride around the northern-most shores of Tampa Bay to discover the hidden parks and trails of Oldsmar. There will be one bridge to climb, along with some spectacular waterfront views of Upper Tampa Bay. Oldsmar was named for R.E. Olds, an early automotive pioneer and founder of the REO Motor Car Company. R.E. Olds Park on the shores of upper Tampa Bay is one of the first areas we'll pass through. Next we ride to Mobbly Beach Park, then to Mobbly Bayou along the Oldsmar Trail, continuing with a loop through Hillsborough County's Upper Tampa Bay Park before we work our way back to our cars. Restrooms at the start and at Upper Tampa Bay Park, our midway point. We'll drive to breakfast in downtown Oldsmar after the ride. Restrooms at the start, end and midway through the ride.

    April 12 - Pinellas Trail to Tarpon Springs and Fred Howard Beach
    • Meeting Time: 8:00 AM (leave promptly at 8:15 AM)
    • Meeting Location: The Gazebo on the south side of the  Dunedin Historical Museum/Old Train Depot, 349 Main Street, Dunedin 34698 - parking lots are just beyond Douglas and Main Streets and the intersection with the Pinellas Trail. 
    • Distance: 29 miles 
    • Speed: 12-16 mph
    • Ride Leader: Wayne (801) 520-0350 (call or text)
    From the Old Train Depot in Dunedin we'll ride north on the Pinellas Trail through Ozona, Palm Harbor and Crystal Beach to Tarpon Springs and then out to beautiful Fred Howard Park and Beach. The Pinellas Trail is considered by many to be Florida's premier trail, and this section its prettiest. The route is scenic and shady, with one pedestrian bridge (which may still be closed) over Alternate 19 to add a small challenge for your legs and bicycle navigation skills. We leave the trail in Tarpon Springs to ride past the sponge docks and Spring Bayou (where the traditional Epiphany cross is thrown). Then we're out across the Causeway to the sparkling waters of the Gulf of Mexico. We'll return to Dunedin via the Trail and walk to breakfast at a bike-friendly café after the ride. Restrooms at the train depot and at the beach.

    April 19 - Pinellas Trail to Honeymoon Island
    • Distance: 29 miles
    • Speed: 10-14 mph
    • Meeting Time: 8:00 AM (prompt departure at 8:15 AM)
    • Meeting Location: John S. Taylor Park Shelter #5, 1100 8th Ave. SW, Largo, 33770
    • Ride Leader: John (813) 613-6047 (call or text)
    Meet in the parking lot of John S. Taylor park near Shelter #5 for a ride which will take us north on the Pinellas Trail through Largo, Clearwater and Dunedin and then out to beautiful Honeymoon Island and its new bike trail. After touring Honeymoon Island we'll return to our start the same way we rode out. After the ride we'll have a picnic at Taylor Park, Shelter #5. Bring something to share with the group - usually 20-25 people - and call or text John to let him know what you're bringing. Restrooms and water available at the start and along the ride.

    You will need $2 (cash makes the payment process faster) to enter Honeymoon Island.


    WARNING: The Dunedin Causeway that connects the Pinellas Trail to Honeymoon Island is a multiuse trail and VERY busy (joggers, walkers, rollerbladers, bikers, etc.) and at times narrow and very rough - thus the slow speed posted for this ride. This is a good ride for a hybrid or mountain bike, or a bike that balances well at low speeds if you have one.

    April 26 - Safety Harbor to the Clearwater Ream Wilson/East-West Trail
    • Meeting Time: 8:00 AM, leave promptly at 8:15 AM 
    • Meeting Location: Shelter #5, Philippe Park, 2525 Philippe Park, Safety Harbor 33625
    • Distance 24 miles
    • Speed: 12-14 mph
    • Rider Leader: Les (813) 598-4944 (call or text)
    We'll begin near the entrance to Philippe Park and ride along the waters of Upper Tampa Bay, the Safety Harbor Spa and downtown Safety Harbor until we connect with the Clearwater Ream Wilson/East-West Trail. On the Trail we'll enjoy the twists, turns and short uphill bursts of this scenic bike trail as it winds through several of the area's prettiest parks, across a boardwalk into a wildlife sanctuary, down the middle of a Frisbee golf course and a jaunt past the Phillies Spring Training facility. More mileage is available with an optional out and back down the Duke/Progress Energy spur trail. Following the ride we'll drive to breakfast at a local Safety Harbor restaurant.