Florida is considered a bastion of mountain biking in the United States. Hence, if you are a mountain riding enthusiast, there are several important facts to note about mountain riding in the state of Florida.
The state is home to several biking trails, which helps the biking community to thrive. The presence of these communities has proved beneficial to beginners and amateur riders. The International Mountain Biking Association, a body that ensures that mountain bikers have access to an enabling environment across the country, accorded two riding trails in Florida their highest rating. These trails are the Santos Trailhead and Alafia River State. Asidefrom the riding trails, there are hundreds of other trails in Florida.
Although Florida has very few mountains, with most of the state being flatlands and its highest point being 345 feet above sea level, mountain bikers are having one of the best experiences in the state. Therefore, it is essential to note that you do not need real mountains to have an enthralling mountain biking experience, as artificial mountain trails suffice .
Corollary to this, more people in Florida are shifting towards off-pavement biking. According to a trail builder in Florida, there has been an overwhelming shift to mountain biking and cycling in Florida over the past decade. This shift is because many riders increasingly consider riding in the hustle and bustle of traffic more dangerous. Hence, most of them are now more inclined towards riding in nature.
For example, the Orlando Mountain Park in Florida is increasingly becoming a hub of families of riders who consider the park one of the safest spaces to ride in the state. Established in 2015, the park provides an enabling environment for both amateur and professional riders, as it provides tracks and obstacles that are not too tedious.
Although Orlando provides one of the best mountain trailing locations in Florida, there are several dozens of other state-of-the-art mountain riding trails in the state. About an hour's drive out of Orlando, one will be beset with several other biking trails. This preponderance of trails despite the absence of mountains and the prevalence of flatlands makes Florida an unusual thriving hub of mounting biking in the United States.
Trails like the Graham Swamp, the Mala Compra, and the Spruce Creek Preserve are among the most notable riding trails on the east coast of Florida. In the western part of the state, in Lakeland and Tampa, the Loyce E. Harpe Park, the Balm Boyette Scrub Preserve, and the Alafia River Park have some of the most fantastic riding trails.
Frank Rodriguez, the founder of the Balm Boyette Scrub Preserve and Alafia River Park, noted that these two riding trails used to be phosphate mines before he transformed them. While it is popular opinion that the Alafia River Park is the best mountain trail in Florida, some think that Santos Trailhead will give it a run for its money. Similarly, in the Ocala OHV trail system, cyclists and riders from all works of life and skill levels have access to over 80 miles of singletrack.
Finally, some riding trails in Florida used to be limestone or phosphate mines, thus giving riders unique opportunities to ride on unusual terrains.
