I am going to be in Destin, FL for the majority of next week and was hoping some could let me know about training options…swimming should be easy enough, the hotel is on the beach and I will OWS. Going to have my bike shipped down this week (assuming there is decent riding in the area).
Any input appreciated / welcomed.
I know people who claim they train on US 98 early enough in the morning that the traffic isn’t too bad, but I regard that as a big hell no from a safety standpoint, and can rattle off a number of fatal accidents on that road. I’d probably go with early mornings on state road 30-A, which isn’t too congested this time a year and quite pretty. If you’re a joining sort, you might also get in touch with Emerald Coast Cyclists:
They’ve got a few group rides every week. Note that if you’re riding on Eglin AFB roads like Ranger Camp Road north of Ft. Walton Beach, (regarded as one of the safer and more popular road biking areas) you need to spend like $10 and a little bit of time to get a Eglin recreation pass from the Jackson Guard office located on SR 85 in Niceville just north of its intersection with SR 20/John Sims Parkway.
If you don’t mind driving a bit, there’s a pretty classic beach side ride between Navarre Beach and Pensacola Beach through Gulf Islands National Seashore. The crosswinds there will also often helpfully provide you with the sensation of going uphill both out and back.
Be very careful if you ride on 98 or 30a, lot’s of tourist and locals for that matter that just dont pay attention to cyclist. Hwy 98 is busy even in the off season. If you have time drive to Navarre and ride to Pensacola beach and back. That ride is about 36mi round trip and is very nice.
Good luck.
Yeah, my review off the 'net seems to indicate that 98 ain’t no day at the beach…leaning towards early AM rides down 30-A. Unfortunately my schedule is pretty strict while I am there so i don’t have a lot of time to travel out to group rides, etc.
Thanks for the feedback!
30A in the am is a good bet. If you are looking for a good place to run Sandestin is nice.
Not sure about Destin but I am in PCB until march. So if you are looking for a training partner this way let me know. Some seriously boring riding this way! There is an awesome outdoor pool at frank brown park.
I remember a bike path parallel to 30A. I didn’t use it and got a bit of grief from a local. I was going too fast, though.
The 30A bike path is designed for beach cruisers and crap if you’ve got a road or tri bike. But there’s always going to be ‘discussion’ about how all bike should be on the bike path where you’re dodging the free range toddlers also on the path.
Roads around that area are busy, but there are places which are far worse in terms of traffic and drivers. I rode down every road at almost every time of the day and while I’ve had some idiots, again, nothing worse than anywhere else. From Destin, head east on 98 and turn right at the 98 / 293 junction to head to the beach so you can head east on Old HW 98 right along side the water. This will by pass a good portion of 98 that is busy. From there, just head down 98 for a few more miles and turn right on 30. If you’re looking for a time trial loop, make a left on San Destin Blvd just a minute or two down the road after you jump back on 98 and use Baytown Ave loop just east of Horseshoe Bayou. It has a stop sign but it is a good 5min loop.
Besides that, take the bridge (293) over to niceville and head east on 20. The bridge isn’t bad for cars, just bumpy but ridable. If you’re riding long enough to make it to W Bay Loop Rd, you’ll be at the nicest road there. I did motor pacing at 30-35 mph there and it has not a single pot hole or bump on it. You can also head West on 20 and hang a right at Edgewater Drive and head north. Did many intervals in the area, specifically Ruckle Dr.
The Y in Destin is ok… Y at Ft. Walton Beach is meh… Swimming sucks there but I was there for a year or so after the oil spill so hopefully it is better.
Running is good around the NW Florida Regional Airport. Couple of races are held around there.