2025
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Join us for a beautiful bicycle vacation in Florida. We stay in the small Florida town of Spring Hill adjacent to the largest population of Manatees in the world.
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Each day we ride a different, unique and beautiful paved bike path including: the Van Fleet State & Auburndale TECO Trails; the Suncoast Trail; the Withlacoochee State Trail and the Pinellas Trail.
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We ride each path only one way, no doubling back or repeating on the path, so we get to see the most that each path has to offer.
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Stay at the same hotel for the entire bicycle tour. Just unpack one time!
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Florida holds the title for the most days in a row of sunshine - 768 days!
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The State of Florida puts in $25 million per year into the state's bike paths. You will love them!
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Join us, while it is sunny in Florida, but still snowy in many parts of the U.S. and Canada.
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Not only will we see the beautiful Gulf of Mexico, but also have a chance to see the beautiful farmland, wide open fields, palm trees and swamp lands all from your bicycle!
Pricing options:
✔️Pay deposit now
✔️Pay balance 45 days before trip start
✔️Full Credit for future trip for change or cancellation up to 60 days before trip start
✔️*This is the exclusive pricing way that Vacation Bicycling used for 18 years through 2024
✔️Pay with credit card or debit card
✔️Fully refundable/changeable up to 15 days before trip start
✔️No change fees
✔️Pay Now
Complete trip information:
Day 1, Saturday
Before the bicycle tour begins, explore Spring Hill and the surrounding areas including seeing mermaids and manatees. Nearby serves as the largest winter refuge for manatees. Three sisters is one of the most famous manatee hotbeds. Manatees stay here year around. You might find up to 30 manatees at a time. Also, visit the spectacular blue water of the ocean. For something completely different, vie the Weeki Wachee Springs a natural tourist attraction located in Weeki Wachee, Florida, where underwater performances by "mermaids" with fish tails as well as other fanciful outfits, can be viewed in an aquarium-like setting in the spring of the Weeki Wachee River. Take time to relax, explore and before making your home in the small town of Dade City for the week and the start of your fun bicycling vacation. Vacation Bicycling welcome get together followed by dinner is scheduled for 4:00pm.
Dinner:
La Bella Napoli
Spring Hill, Florida
Entrée choices include:
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Eggplant Parmesan – Fried eggplant in egg batter then baked in tomato sauce with cheese
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Ravioli – Stuffed with ricotta cheese, served with tomato sauce
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Tortellini – Mushrooms & cooked in cream sauce with spinach and tomato sauce
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Salmon Francese – Dipped in egg batter, lightly fried, sauteed in butter, lemon and sauce
Lodging:
Hampton Inn Spring Hill
Spring Hill, Florida
(Stay at the same hotel for the entire bicycle tour. Just unpack one time!)
- Internet
- Fitness Center
- Business Center
- Refrigerator
- Hair Dryer
- Outdoor Swimming Pool
Day 2, Sunday
Pinellas Trail - Tarpon Springs to St. Petersburg
The first bike trail on your adventure in Florida is riding on the Pinellas Trail from Tarpon Springs to St. Petersburg. The trail uses the rail corridor. St. Petersburg glimmers between the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay. It is beautiful! St. Petersburg is known for its warm weather and for holding the title of the "most consecutive days with sunshine" - 768 days! The road crossings that we are using allows the Pinellas Trail riders (us) the right of way, which we can all agree is a nice plus for bikers. IT also allows riders to trigger lights and signals for crossings. Most importantly, we will be riding into and from the tourist epicenters of St. Petersburg and Tarpon Springs.
Breakfast provided by the hotel each morning
Bicycling Route: 0 miles, staying at the hotel; or 38 miles, taking the van to Tarpon Springs, overlooking the harbor and bicycling to St. Petersburg [The route is on paved bike trails.]
Dinner:
Coyote Rojo
Dade City, Florida
Entrée choices include:
- Pollo Con Queso - Chicken breast with cheese sauce, rice and beans, lettuce and tomatoes with sour cream.
- Sizzling Fajitas - Chicken, steak, pork or shrimp. Served with sautéed red and green peppers, onions, rice and beans. With guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo and lettuce.
- Burritos - Chicken, steak, pork or shrimp with green or red salsa, guacamole, pico de Gallo, lettuce and sour cream
- Grilled Chicken or Taco Salad - Our traditional tostada made with a crispy four tortilla shell layered with beans and grilled chicken, shredded chicken or beef, topped with fresh lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, sour cream and guacamole.
Day 3, Monday
Suncoast & Upper Tampa Bay Trail
Today we join The Suncoast Trail that is part of Florida's Greenway and Trails System. The trail passes through a gathering of suburban, agricultural and natural areas where you will see the trail's historic significance. You will want to check out the Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Preserve on your ride through this area. There are waterways and amazing views of natural areas that will be beautiful from your bicycle. The riding ends on the Upper Tampa Bay Trail and parallels the Suncoast Parkway. At the end of the trail, a Dunkin Donuts awaits in case you want to reward yourself after a great day of riding.
Breakfast provided by the hotel each morning
Bicycling Route: 0 miles, staying at the hotel; 28 miles, taking the SAG vehicle to Anderson Snow Park and riding to the trail end of the Upper Tampa Bay Trail; or 46 miles, taking the SAG vehicle to the trailhead in Hernando County and then riding the complete Suncoast Trail south and joining and riding to the end of the Upper Tampa Trail. [The route is on the paved Suncoast and Upper Tampa Bay Trails.]
Dinner:
On your own.
Day 4, Tuesday
Van Fleet State Trail & Auburndale TECO Trails
Our bicycling adventure continues on one of the straightest trails in Florida, so no need to look at directions, just get on your bicycle and start riding. The Van Fleet State and Auburndale TECO Trails connect Lake Myrtle in Auburndale with Polk City and travels through part of central Florida's 322,000 acre Green Swamp area and forests all around you. Last year, we even saw an alligator directly beneath the sign that said, "Beware of alligators!" ... at least the sign was placed in the perfect spot. On the southern end of the trail there is an observation area where you may be lucky and catch sight of a beautiful bald eagle. Of course the other great part about bicycling on these trails beside the great views of natures is that the total ascent of the trail is ...5 feet, so it will be a perfect day with no climbing!
Breakfast provided by the hotel each morning.
Bicycling Route: 0 miles, staying at the hotel; or 30 miles, riding the complete Van Fleet State Trail; or 36 miles, riding on the both the Van fleet State and Auburndale TECO Trails, taking the SAG vehicle to and from the bike paths. [The route is on one continuous paved bike path.]
Dinner:
On your own.
Day 5, Wednesday
Free Day or West Orange Trail
On Wednesday enjoy a Free Day to explore on your own or wake-up and take the SAG van to one of the most popular trails in Florida, the West Orange Trail. The trail passes through the small towns of Killarney, Oakland and Apopka. See glimpses of Lake Apopka or view the lake up close. Stop and see the Historic railroad exhibit before venturing across the restored railroad bridge. Make a stop at the Oakland Nature Preserve, "a hidden gem," a 128-acre preserve offering environmental education and ecotourism activities, including a visitor's center featuring live fish and turtle exhibits before ending your day's ride at the shaded pavilion.
If you decide to explore St. Petersburg instead of biking. The city has emerged as one of the top destinations for the arts, including the unique Dali Museum and the amazing Chihuly Collection glass exhibition at the Morean Arts Center, as well as five other museums. Of course, the downtown is situated overlooking the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay with city parks situated all along the water's edge with unobstructed ocean views.
Breakfast provided by the hotel each morning.
Bicycling Route: Free Day or 0 miles, staying at the hotel; 21 miles, riding on the complete route of the West Orange Trail; taking the SAG vehicle to and from the bike paths. [The route is on a paved bike path.]
Dinner:
On your own
Day 6, Thursday
Withlacoochee State Trail
We end the week taking the Withlacoochee State Trail. It is a wonderful experience from your bicycle. On the paved bicycle trail you can see the equestrian trail...be sure you are saying, "On your right" to a person and not a horse on the adjacent trail. You will pass through many beautiful Florida cities and food and drinks are never too far. This trail parallels the Withlacoochee River, which is a state-designated paddling trail. Keep an eye out for deer on the path. They (the deer) are sharing the same views. Take a stop in Floral City to get a bite to eat or visit the little shops in the area. This area has a state of the art overpass that leads safely across the popular Ridge Manor trailhead. You may want to have a drink of Zephyrhills water at the start of the day. Yes, this is where Zephyrhills water from the grocery store is bottled. Zephyrhills 100% spring water comes from five springs right in Florida. The path designers and builders have thought of everything, so you can take in the beauty from your bicycle. There are not many road crossings or driveways. Just relax and enjoy the scenery from behind your handlebars.
Breakfast provided by the hotel each morning
Bicycling Route: 0 miles, staying at the hotel; or 32 miles, taking the van to the SAG drop off in Inverness and riding to the trail end near Zephyrhills, taking the SAG vehicle to and from the bike paths. [The route is on a paved bike path.]
Dinner:
Cody's Original Roadhouse
Spring Hill, Florida
Entrée choices include:
- Fresh Grilled Salmon – Fresh hand-cut salmon fillet, grilled or blackened
- Baby Back Ribs – Fall off the bone ribs, seasoned and basted with Cody’s own award winning BBQ sauce
- Center Cut Boneless Pork Chop – Grilled to perfection
- Soup & Cody’s Bottomless Salad – Choose your favorite soup to accompany Cody’s bottomless salad
Day 7, Friday
Enjoy beautiful and warm Florida one last time before starting your journey home.
Breakfast provide by hotel each morning
Please note all trip information is based on previous trips and/or contracted lodging and restaurants and is subject to change based on availability or specific trip needs.
Riding difficulty:
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Riders who are comfortable riding at least 10 miles per hour should have an enjoyable trip. The routes are primarily on bike paths with a little riding on bicycle designated or low traffic roads. Please see the daily routes descriptions for additional information. Of course, if a rider is tired or does not feel like riding, the SAG vehicle will transport the rider to the hotel. All riders may ride at their own pace, slow or fast or anything in-between.
Arriving by Automobile:
- Drive to the Hampton Inn Spring Hill, 1344 Commercial Way, Spring Hill, FL 34606. Your car can be parked at the hotel for the duration of the trip for free.
Arriving by Plane:
- Fly into Tampa International Airport (TPA), 45 miles (about 1hr) from the starting hotel; or fly into Orlando International Airport (MCO), 75 miles (about 1hr 30minutes) from starting hotel; or fly into the small Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV), 104 miles (about 1hr 45minutes) from the starting hotel.
Deposit:
- $200 to reserve your spot and the remainder due 45 days before the trip start.
What is Included:
- Hotel lodging
- Ride Packets with Cue Sheets (directions)
- Garmin/GPS routes to download
- Google Maps routes for your iPhone or Android Phone
- Fully sagged including van transportation and rider assistance.
- Breakfast each morning
- Happy Hours (BYOB) on selected evenings
- Dinner with the group three evenings (see above)
- Great riding, scenery, fun and enjoyment!
Bicycles:
- Most participants bring their own bicycles
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To ship your bike, we would suggest using shipbikes.com or bikeflight.com for shipping. To ship your bike to the hotel: Hampton Inn Spring Hill, 1344 Commercial Way, Spring Hill, FL 34606
- If you fly, most major airlines including Delta, American, United and Alaska Air now waive the oversize fee for bicycles (sporting equipment) and just the standard luggage fee applies. Please contact your airline for all the details.
- Bike Rental: Bikes are available for rent in the Spring Hill/Tampa area. We suggest conducting a Google search to find the best place to accommodate your needs.
Weather in February in our trip biking area in Florida:
- Average High 74°
Vacation Bicycling, LLC
1860 Barnett Shoals Rd, Ste 103-514
Athens, GA 30605
Athens, GA 30605