Florida

[Martha]

The reason I stopped by the forum was to ask about options for spending next winter in Florida. For the past few years I have spent winter in Audrey's neck of the woods, along the Rio Grande in Texas. I want to take a year off from Texas to see some new birds and for a change in cycling scenery. I ride my bikes around 400 miles a month.

I spend winters alone in a small Lazy Daze rv. I haul a couple of bicycles and either a car or a scooter. I am especially interested in plopping down somewhere near one of the longer bike trails in Florida. I figured that I would not spend the entire winter in one place, but move around every few weeks.

I'm looking for suggestions on good rv parks and good areas for riding bikes. I do plan to at least stop for a time in the Everglades.

 

[Moemg]

I think Rich would be a good source for campgrounds since he used to camp on Siesta Key and Don Heff knows the biking paths . I am not a biker but I would think anywhere on Anna Marie Island would be great since you could bike from there to St.Armand's in Sarasota following the beach route . Venice , Fl. is a smaller town and perfect for biking not sure if there is an campground there . If you see a campground in SW Florida online that looks interesting I would be glad to check it out for you and send you pictures and my take on the place .

 

[mb]

The reason I stopped by the forum was to ask about options for spending next winter in Florida.

And we thought it was because you missed us!

Can't help with the Florida question but let me know if you decide to winter in CA.

 

[Martha]

And we thought it was because you missed us!

Can't help with the Florida question but let me know if you decide to winter in CA.

That too!

Maybe the next year I will do SoCal.

 

[Martha]

I think Rich would be a good source for campgrounds since he used to camp on Siesta Key and Don Heff knows the biking paths . I am not a biker but I would think anywhere on Anna Marie Island would be great since you could bike from there to St.Armand's in Sarasota following the beach route . Venice , Fl. is a smaller town and perfect for biking not sure if there is an campground there . If you see a campground in SW Florida online that looks interesting I would be glad to check it out for you and send you pictures and my take on the place .

My inlaws had retired to Bradenton so I used to know the area but haven't been there in quite a long while. I'll see if I can find anything for you to check out for me. Thanks!

 

[donheff]

DW an I are staying in Bradenton Beach for the month of February. We bike 20-30 miles a day. That area is ok for biking but not great. I don't know about RV parks.

 

[Purron]

I do plan to at least stop for a time in the Everglades.

I'd plan to spend a little time there. Been to the everglades once and it was simply amazing. Definitely want to go back

 

[Martha]

DW an I are staying in Bradenton Beach for the month of February. We bike 20-30 miles a day. That area is ok for biking but not great. I don't know about RV parks.

I recall that you have biked in Florida quite a bit. What are your favorite areas?

 

[Huston55]

Martha-

DW and I have been investigating Dunedin, Fl (north of St Pete) on line, and Pinellas Trail Pinellas County, Florida - Park & Conservation Resources - Pinellas County Trail Guide (which gets good reviews) goes thru there. There is also Elite Resorts RV park in Tarpon Springs, at the north end of the trail.

Good luck. Let us know how you like Dunedin if you visit.

 

[Moemg]

Martha-

DW and I have been investigating Dunedin, Fl (north of St Pete) on line, and Pinellas Trail Pinellas County, Florida - Park & Conservation Resources - Pinellas County Trail Guide (which gets good reviews) goes thru there. There is also Elite Resorts RV park in Tarpon Springs, at the north end of the trail.

Good luck. Let us know how you like Dunedin if you visit.

I have only been to Dunedin a few times but it is a charming town in a great location .

 

[donheff]

I recall that you have biked in Florida quite a bit. What are your favorite areas?

I liked the Pinellas Trail that Huston55 mentioned and also liked the Withlacotchee (sp?) Trail. I preferred The urban Pinellas to the more rural Withlachochee. The Maria Island Bradenton Beach area is pretty good for sorta typical beach road rides with good options for lunch. I love Key West which is certainly bike friendly but not well suited to the 25-30 mile rides I prefer and not at all suited to serious riders who want speed and distance. DW and I just like to get out and ride and are not very particular about the circumstances as long as we can get in some miles interupted by a good restaurant.

 

[Martha]

Martha-

DW and I have been investigating Dunedin, Fl (north of St Pete) on line, and Pinellas Trail Pinellas County, Florida - Park & Conservation Resources - Pinellas County Trail Guide (which gets good reviews) goes thru there. There is also Elite Resorts RV park in Tarpon Springs, at the north end of the trail.

Good luck. Let us know how you like Dunedin if you visit.

I'll check out the Elite Resorts park, thanks. EDIT: It looks like it hasn't been built yet.

I liked the Pinellas Trail that Huston55 mentioned and also liked the Withlacotchee (sp?) Trail. I preferred The urban Pinellas to the more rural Withlachochee. The Maria Island Bradenton Beach area is pretty good for sorta typical beach road rides with good options for lunch. I love Key West which is certainly bike friendly but not well suited to the 25-30 mile rides I prefer and not at all suited to serious riders who want speed and distance.

Given that Florida is flat I pretty much need speed and distance. Thanks for the imput.

 

[Martha]

Man it is tough trying to find a decent rv place on the Pinellas trail. Fort DeSoto would be cool but I can't reserve that far in advance and it looks like it is difficult to get reservations there.

 

[Buckeye]

Man it is tough trying to find a decent rv place on the Pinellas trail. Fort DeSoto would be cool but I can't reserve that far in advance and it looks like it is difficult to get reservations there.

Had some OH friends try for a couple of years to get a spot at Ft. DeSoto. Finally got a week this year in April and they loved it. They are snowbirds with a 5th-wheel and they spent their last week in FL at Ft. DeSoto.

 

[Huston55]

These links lists RV parks near Dunedin and Pinellas Trail.

RV Parks in Dunedin, Florida | Travel Tips - USAToday.com

Caladesi RV Park

Clearwater RV Resorts | Travel Tips - USAToday.com

Good [-]hunting[/-] fishing!

 

[Moemg]

Here is a list of the bike trails .
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/gwt/pdf/biketrails_b_v6.pdf