I’m taking the family to the Seaside, FL area 3/2-3/10. In the middle of IM CDA training so I will have my bike. Anyone know of any good group rides/routes/events in the area?
I believe there is a group out of Destin put together by Robin’s Bikes and Fitness (www.robinsbikes.com).
Yes - there are quite a few of us 
Go to Big Daddy’s Bike Store (on 30A) and you can find out about the rides going on that week. We usually go up and down 30A, that way you won’t have to drive anywhere. Hope you enjoy your stay!!
As long as you’re out before the tourists really clog up everything, CR 30-A really is quite a nice bike route whether you’re solo or in a group.
My family holidays in Seaside every year in April. I usually take my mountain bike to ride with the kids around Seaside and also bring my tri bike to train. Luckily this year it is 1 week after New Orleans HIM so I will not bring my tri bike and will rest instead. I have had several close calls riding. I have found riding in Florida to be far more dangerous than riding locally. I have had several close calls and many times it does not seem accidental.
I was on holiday with my family in Orlando last week and I did not even bring my bike. I did swim in Lake Cane thanks to Lucky all week but it just was not worth the risk of riding my bike.
Just my 2 cents.
I agree with FLA Jill and have experienced the opposite of the last post. I am a part time resident in the 30a area and it is much easier to ride 30a than my locale. I ride solo up and down 30a all the time and love it. I usually go early am, and at times will not even see a vehicle for long periods of time. Since a paved bike path traverses the entire length of 30a, most drivers are used to sharing the road with bikes. When it is spring break or at times in the summer the non-frequent visitor driving may need time to get used to all the bikes. Just make sure you test which way the wind is blowing before deciding on your route!
The crosswinds can actually be a semi-decent hill simulation if you hit them wrong.
Speaking of windy, for the best surprisingly hard at times despite being entirely less than four feet above sea level and insanely beautiful bike ride in the area, drive your bike westward to Navarre Beach and ride the Gulf Islands National Seashore road between there and Pensacola Beach.
The promise of a race bike course along that route was actually what got me into triathlon.
This has just been my personal experience. But I thought I would do a quick search. I was curious what is the most dangerous state to ride a bike. It turns out it is Florida. There was more deaths in Florida than California (2007 data not sure about other years). Did a search in Google and here is just one link that came back http://jacksonville.com/...state_for_bicyclists
I have tried many routes leaving from Seaside over the years. Maybe I just have not found a bike friendly route. There is an awsome bike path for riding with the kids but it is not made for riding fast and is not really long enough. I will drive around this year in the car and see if I can figure out a safer route for next year. What route from Seaside that is longer ideally 40 miles but a 20 mile loop would work is recommended? I have gone to the big bridge direction (short), to Panama City (long and scary) and to Destin (long and scary) from Seaside?
I would also put my bike in the car and drive it to somewhere if there was a good place. Maybe the problem is just my ignorance of the area.
I hear you. Florida is a large state with some major metros. Since the thread was asking about the Seaside area I responded with 30a as a recommendation, my house is 3 blocks from Seaside. I certainly wouldn’t include 30a with the likes of Miami, Orlando, Tampa and Jax. I only ride in a state park in my homeown, but 30a (and not anywhere else in the state of Florida) is my 2nd choice for logging miles. And I only like traversing up and down 30a, which is two lane and usually 25-35 mph limits, and about 15 miles in length. I don’t like riding on 98 or in PCB. Sometimes I do cross the bridge to PCB in the am, but if you do this stay on Front Beach Road which runs next to the gulf like 30a.
You know what I think I might try that one this summer. Sounds great, thanks!
I am spoiled where I live. We have an incredible state park with nice hills and no cars. You can ride miles in the park with zero worries.
I also do a lot of riding on the roads. Cars here are extremely sensitive to cyclist. They get way over, they wait, they don’t honk, they don’t throw stuff at you. I have never had a problem. Not once of someone being a jerk.
I have ridden 30/98, very early in the morning to PCB several times in the past. I know a little crazy. I notice it is more pickup trucks, but they will come as close as they can to hitting me with the no one else on the road within miles. I often times get honked at for no reason. I feel a hatred for cyclist. It is very early and there is no other cars on the road. I am not causing them any problems.
Now around Seaside riding casually everyone is fantastic. I bike with my kids everywhere and no problems. We will ride up to the state park and Starbucks on the paths. Through Water Colors, to the grocery store. No problem. But I want to do some serious riding and the bike paths were not meant for riding a tri bike at speed. Not safe for anyone.
I have ridden 30a and it was definitely safer than 98 but I would like to find a road that I can put my head down and ride fast without stop lights and that is flat.
Maybe I am asking for too much.
Yep, I don’t ride on the paths on my tri bike either, might kill someone. Sounds like you live in ideal conditions! I can’t stand riding near PCB, which is sad given that they have the HIM and IM there!!
Most serious cyclists I know that ride 30A regularly wouldn’t think of riding on the bike path because of the high numbers of the slow-moving and clueless. It’s all on the road proper.
If you don’t mind going inland, Dragon Sports has some route maps up here:
There are group rides and routes listed on http://www.eccyclists.com/.
I’ve ridden a road bike on 30A occasionally and every time, I’ve gotten at least one “Get on the @%$@#$* bike path @#$#@@!”.
I agree with one of the other posters. I’ve gotten to where I just take my old beater mountain bike when I go down there, and just stick to cruising on the bike path.
I second the Big Daddy’s Bike shop on 30A. They will help you out with us local roadies and tri guys & gals. Talk to Judah there.
Or if you want to check out the local yahoo group. http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/pccycling/. But its on Panama city beach. a lot of riders there.
also good ole Face Book. http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=186396252855
Good luck, hope to see you out on the roads.