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 In 2005, Florida had an estimated 85.5 million visitors. While the majority enjoyed rollercoaster rides and sun-drenched beaches, a few craving more adventure sought out lesser-known attractions in the state, like Florida’s eco-centric bike trails.
With more than 8,000 miles of multi-use trails, the American Trails organization presented Florida with the Best Trail State Award. Both paved and off-road trails are found in every region throughout the state. The pleasant climate and easily accessible public lands create a cyclist paradise most visitors fail to experience. Plus, biking through natural Florida is a unique eco-friendly adventure.
Biking is one of the great ways to explore the diversity of the state. The influence of Spanish explorers blends with that of colonial French tradesmen and Italian architecture. The music of the Caribbean is played as Greek fishermen bring in the day’s catch from the warm Gulf waters. And the beating of Native American drums can be heard as cattlemen drive their herds northward. To notice the subtle beauty and cohesiveness that is Florida, get out of the amusement-park lines and onto a bicycle. Here are three regularly available tours:
Naples Bicycle Tours
Owned and operated by Gary and Marcy Wagner, experienced cyclist and master naturalist respectively, Naples Bicycle Tours (1-239-455-4611) provides an opportunity to explore two sides of southwest Florida. For a guided leisure ride, take the journey into Old Historic Naples. The tour offers a glimpse into the daily life of southern Floridians. If you are feeling more adventurous, take the guided bike tour into the heart of the Everglades. The Wagners provide a detailed journey off the beaten path, down canopy-covered trails and into the wilderness of south Florida. Isolated from society, miles deep into the terrain, an alligator growls, an exotic bird squeals, and life is untouched by man. Part history lesson, part horticultural class, the journey takes you through the cypress swamps as you trace panther paw prints toward the open grasslands. Determined to preserve the Everglades, this eco-tour provides an up-close adventure without the pollution caused by airboats and swamp buggies.
Florida Key Tours
At the most southern point of the country lays a world onto itself—Key West. This tropical island is a haven for those wanting to escape the confines of societal living. Keep your flip-flops on as you explore this tropical oasis. Rolling past famous residences such as Ernest Hemingway’s, Florida Key Tours (1-888-653-6047) will allow you to explore the island’s rich history and its early development. Passing through the Key West rainforest, you’ll have an opportunity to stretch your legs and taste the exotic fruits. Ride along the open Caribbean waters and explore the less touristy side of the island.
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City Bike Tampa
Cycling along the inlet waters of Tampa Bay, City Bike Tampa’s (1-888-484-2453) guided tour sheds light on the little-known history of this urban city. From Gasparilla and his band of pirates overtaking Tampa to the rise of cigar factories decades ago, the tour offers a ride through this historical concrete jungle. Pedaling along lush tropic landscaping, the route winds through a blend of Mediterranean and post-modern architecture, past the sailboat-filled marinas, and to the gates of the University of Tampa. There are several stops along the way that will allow you to absorb the city’s diverse communities and its people.
Whether one explores the plantations of old Florida or ventures deep into the heart of the Everglades, the beauty that surrounds the sunshine state must be experienced at a slower pace. Opting for a perfect getaway or indulging in the need to explore, biking through the Sunshine State offers a trail less traveled.
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