11/28/2022 – 11/29/2022

Coast To Coast Trail Bike Ride (200 Miles)

Florida

Ken Frankenbery

Ride Recap By Ken Frankenbery:

After completing an Iron Man in 2021, I was looking for a new challenge so when a local bike shop owner talked about people riding across Florida from coast to coast (CTC trail) the seed was planted.  I mentioned it to some good friends who liked the idea so John/Glen/Juan and I started planning it.

The CTC trail is roughly 200 miles long (depending on where you start and finish) and is 85% paved bike paths (amazing!)   Doing some research (There is a CTC Face book page with great information from people who have done it offering tips) We felt 2 days was doable at 100 miles per day, and to it make it “fun” decided against camping (sleeping on ground/carrying 2 days’ worth of supplies) and the wives agreed to act as shuttle service so we could skip the camping overnight part.

Weather was great in the 60’s to start with 70’s for the daily high.  The views were great, but the diversity was really the coolest thing.  From the East trail starts in Titusville (Cape Canaveral) with a view of the ocean a launch point for Nasa.  Heading west it links up bike paths around Orlando, circling many of the inland lakes with great views and lots of places to stop for water/restrooms .  Hitting the middle of the state, it crosses through several nature preserves/ state parks all through paved paths except for one section East of Brooksville where the trail is under construction along route 50.  To stay off 50 we mapped out some back roads to get us to the Withlacoochee trail in Brooksville which was about 25 miles on the road.  Generally this went well except for a few jerks in pick up trucks. After Brooksville there is another section of trail under construction, but this time we used sidewalks to get us to the Suncoast Trail,  Then we headed over to the Pinellas trail which runs all the way to St Petersburg.  It’s great how Florida has linked so many trails.

We biked about 7 ½ hours a day keeping a comfortable pace. Besides the great views some of the highlights were “Vergie’s” a rest stop along a remote section of trail maybe 30 miles from Titusville where Vergie, an 80 year old women, sets up a oasis for passing riders with snacks/water/ice and shaded seating.  She takes donations but obviously doesn’t do it for the money.  She meets people daily from all over the world and loves talking with everyone.  She is a real gem.  Another great stop was Starkey Market.  This is a great spot for homemade bakery/ice cream/cookies for quick stops, and a brewery/ restaurant for longer stops. So, thankful for the great friends I was able to share this ride with and for our wives who got up at early to shuttle us around.