…quick question…I’ll be in Tampa this weekend for my daughters dance competition at the Convention Center…since there are several perfomances that I need to be there for the day is kind of chopped up…Is there anywhere close by that I can ride safely?..Road or MTN bike riding is fine with me…Keep in mind, I may only be able to devote 1-2 hours towards this endeavor at any one time…Thanks in advance for your help!
Bayshore to Davis Isand is the closest and most convienient, if you are staying near the convention center.
Another option is the Suncoast expressway Trail.
Since I don’t know where you’re staying, I can’t give you directions and I’ll be gone the rest of the week.
While some will disagree on Bayshore for the bike, it IS the best place for an out-of-towner to run. Go in the AM or around 6PM. Lots of nice scenery…and I’m not talking about the water or the houses!
MJPWOOO,
Thanks…I’m staying at the Hilton Garden Inn at I-75 and Mango…If I can ride from the convention center area, that wouldn’t be to bad…Is bayshore really crowded for biking???..Isn’t the Suncoast Expressway trail, something on the order of 20 miles away from the convention center?..Thanks again.
George
the suncoast is about 16-20 miles from downtown, but is prob. among the best bike trails in the US. right now it’s 45 miles out one way, with only a handful of roadcrossings.
Bayshore sucks, do not ride your bike on bayshore. Bayshore is only cool if you are drunk and watching a parade. Running on bayshore is ok, just wear mirrored sunglasses so you can stare at all the “attractions”
Davis Island is ok, ride along the outer edge of the island, and out along the airport, and it’s not too bad there is a ton of glass though, so don’t ride tires that you value.
Ben,
when I went to the Suncoast trail website, it stated it was only about 30 miles long…Have they added to it?..If so, on the northern or the southern end?..I’ve ridden the southern portion of the Pinellas trail before…cool ride over the water and the bridge over the busy intersection in the bay pines area…
The suncoast is about 44-45 miles now, they expanded it last year and never updated their website.
I love that trail, after the first few miles, it is usually wide open. Plug in the headphones and cruise. Do be sure to bring plenty of food and some money if you ride it. I have gone all the wway to the end of the trail before realizing that i had no food or money for the ride back. I’ve done that a few times, it sucks royaly, especially when there is a headwind going back in. THey have cold, clean water at various points along the trail.
There is a good gas station at the mile 25 intersection (there is an uphill intersection, go left and it’s on the right side of the road)
They added to the northern end, so if you leave from van dike road, you can ride 30 miles before crossing a new overpass and doing the additional 15 miles. They also added some parts to the southern end that have yet to actually connect to the main trail, but they aren’t really worth riding.
What’s the quickest way to get there from the convention center…I guess I’d probably be best starting a the Lutz Lake Trailhead?
Bump for any last comments…
i’m not too keen on road names anymore (i don’t live in tampa now), your best bet is mapquest or the like.