I’ll be moving to Tampa, FL in about two weeks to begin Med school in the fall. Anyone familiar with this area and good places to ride/run with minimal traffic? I’ll be staying in the Temple Terrace area around USF campus. Thanks in advance.
J.C
I live in the Tampa area. Lots of great places to run. Biking is another thing. I’m fortunate, I live in eastern Hillsborough where there is a little better riding, still a few back roads. Much of Hillsborough is not great riding. There are several trails though where you can bike. I haven’t done much on them but some people swear by them.
The tri scene is very active, at least 1 within 30-45 minute drive every weekend from April-October.
2 weeks, you’ll be getting here right in the middle of heat and humidity. Not sure where you’re coming from but be prepared. I moved here 9 years ago this month from Michigan after living in Indiana and Illinois my whole life. 3 weeks after having done a marathon and I found 4 mile runs difficult with the heat/humidity. But don’t worry, it cools off by mid November. By cools off I mean highs in the low 80s:)
Welcome, you’ll love the area, maybe not so much the traffic but everything else is great. If you want any more detailed information, feel free to PM me.
I’ve been in Tampa 7 yrs and love it. I live I South Tampa but am not too far from the USF area. If you need anything PM me and Ill see what I can do. Btw If your looking for a good lbs I know of a few too.
Lived in Tampa for a while - parents still there (actually Mother is at USF which I assume is where you will be).
Very active “tri” scene, but bike training about anywhere sucks royally! Need to get out North, but then you have to drive to then bike! When I’m back to visit, I just swim and run - forget biking.
Just curious - why is it not good for biking there? No shoulders? Too much traffic? To many “non-bikers” driving the roads? All of the above?
Absolutely all of the above. WAY too much traffic, many “older” drivers, little shoulders, HUGE intersections with multiple lanes, new construction on roads/homes/buildings, etc.
Even when you do manage to get out into the “country”, then you get flat nothing. No hills to speak of - then, bad bugs, etc. unless you are near the coast (then its not rural)
I’ve actually never had any major issues from my family’s home up Countryway near Nine Eagles North, but compared to just about any place else I’ve cycled (except downtown Las Vegas), it is no fun at all.
I agree with rroof on most everything he said. One of the positive things(IMO) to come about in the past couple years is a Hillsborough County ordinance requiring all new road construction to include bike lanes. Still lots and lots of roads without them but little by little it’s changing. I will say though I can leave me front door and go 70 miles round trip and only hit 3 traffic lights and 2 of those I turn right at so I rarely have to stop long if at all.
Lots of people(eye candy) run along bayshore, ive seen some run along the courtney cambell causeway as well. I really dont think i’ll ever do any cycling in Tampa for any reason, what was stated above is accurate. Especially around USF, i dont even like driving in that area. There is some good cycling just outside of tampa on the suncoast trail(589/veterans), its about 40 miles paved with only a few crossings at intersections. You’ll see a ton of cyclists out there on there, especially on weekends(you can park on lutz fern lake road or SR 54). There is also a relatively hilly area an hour or so outside of tampa in San Antonio(suncoast/589 to 52, 52 east to san antonio), you’ll see some huge groups out there on weekends. In the middle of nowhere, nice bike lanes/shoulders, smooth roads! There are also good group rides over in Pinellas county(clearwater and st petersburg in particular) a few days out of the week.