Florida cycling in numbers
55%
Bike ownership
2,300
Miles of trails
175
State parks
65
Bike friendliness score
Florida from a cyclist's perspective
Florida has long been a haven for sunseekers, but it’s also one of the most rewarding states to explore by bike. With year-round riding weather, flat terrain, and an ever-expanding network of trails and greenways, it offers cyclists an inviting mix of leisure, adventure, and variety. Whether you prefer gliding past palm-lined coasts, weaving through forests, or pedaling across historic rail corridors, the Sunshine State makes it easy to keep your wheels turning.
Some of Florida’s most beloved routes trace its natural beauty and history. The Legacy Trail in Sarasota County offers a smooth, scenic ride through wetlands and shaded stretches that connect to nearby beaches. Up north, the Withlacoochee State Trail cuts through small towns and forests, giving a taste of Old Florida along its quiet, tree-canopied route. The East Coast Greenway, still in development, promises an ambitious vision—linking the entire Atlantic coast from Maine to Florida, with major stretches already open through the state. And for those drawn to more exotic landscapes, the Shark Valley Loop in Everglades National Park delivers a surreal experience: wildlife viewing from the saddle, including the occasional alligator sunning just off the path.
Beyond its trails, Florida’s cities are evolving into more bike-conscious places, each in its own way. Miami has been steadily improving, adding protected lanes and expanding its Citi Bike share system. While traffic can be intense, early-morning rides along the Venetian Causeway or the Rickenbacker Trail offer safe and scenic urban escapes. Orlando, once considered strictly car-centric, now boasts a growing network of trails like the Orlando Urban Trail, connecting downtown to lakes and neighborhoods with ease. Efforts to link these into a broader Central Florida Trail system are reshaping how residents commute and explore.
Tampa and St. Petersburg are perhaps the quiet success stories. The Pinellas Trail—a converted railway turned linear park—has transformed cycling in the region, offering a long, continuous stretch that ties communities together. It’s become both a commuter route and a recreational gem, proof that bike infrastructure can change local culture. Jacksonville, sprawling and suburban, faces more challenges but has seen progress with greenway projects and coastal routes that attract determined riders.
Cycling in Florida can be as leisurely or as ambitious as you want it to be. You can chase ocean breezes, explore cypress swamps, or navigate cities that are finally learning to welcome bikes. For all its sun and flat roads, what keeps cyclists coming back is the sense of discovery—the idea that, just beyond the next turn, there’s always a new view waiting under the palm trees.
Florida Cycling Weather
With consistent sunshine and minimal elevation change, Florida provides accessible cycling in every season.
Sunny days a year
240
Riding season
Year round
240 sunny days a year
Riding season
Florida Cycling Destinations
Withlacoochee State Trail
Drifting north through Florida’s “real” interior, the Withlacoochee State Trail delivers a quietly compelling ride for cyclists seeking sustained miles in a mellow setting. The route repurposes an old railroad corridor through Citrus, Hernando, and Pasco counties — rolling through pine flatwoods, ranch lands, and small towns like Floral City, Istachatta, and Inverness. With nearly 50 miles of mostly straight, paved path, the ride invites rhythm rather than struggle: gear down once, settle into a groove, and watch the scenery unspool. Shade is intermittent, so midday sun can bear down; early morning or late afternoon are golden. Wildlife glimpses (river wading herons, maybe a bounding wild hog) reward the stillness. Town stops lend refuel options without traffic hassle. For cyclists who favour mileage over mountains, this is a “set the legs spinning, let the mind wander” outing. The flat grade means your legs matter more than your lungs—but don’t mistake that for boredom: the varied terrain and rural authenticity give this one character. Finish back in Inverness or loop to a town-based wrap-up and enjoy a restorative beverage.
Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail
If ever a cycling route whispered “tropical escape,” the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail (FKOHT) answers the call. Spanning the length of the Keys from Key Largo to Key West, this ride delivers island breezes, turquoise water on both sides, historic railroad-era bridges and the unmistakable cadence of chain-rings turning in paradise. While a full 106-mile traverse is a commitment, many cyclists elect to sample stunning sections: the historic Long Key Bridge, the quiet backroads of Islamorada, the final miles into Key West. The trail is flat, making it accessible to many, but the trade-off is wind, salt air, and sometimes narrow shoulders or road-adjacent stretches — a reminder that islands often mean exposure. Stop for fresh conch fritters in a seaside café, pause on a fishing pier, let the sea-tang fill your lungs. The ride lends itself to multi-day relaxation: you’ll want daylight to linger among palms, to linger on bridges, to pause for that perfect photo. As a magazine feature ride: pack light, pick your section, and soak in the Polynesian-Florida magic as you pedal.
Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail
Set your sights on the wide open skies and grassy dike crest of Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail — a hidden gem for road-tour cyclists who crave long, steady hours of pedals and horizon. The route hugs the top of the lake’s Herbert Hoover Dike, giving a sweeping sense of scale: flat water one side, farmland the other, wind shaping your journey. The terrain is forgiving, virtually no climbs, so your focus shifts to endurance, hydration, wind management and mental consistency. There is a contemplative quality to this ride: you’re more likely to hear your own gear-click and bird calls than traffic. Facilities are basic in parts — plan water and shade stops carefully. Riding the full 109-mile loop is an achievement; many cyclists instead pick spirited segments. But if you commit to the full circuit, the reward is a grand tour of Florida’s heartland, giant skies, rural farmland, and a quiet sense of arrival long before the final pedal stroke. For magazine-style storytelling: highlight how the dike doubles as a bike highway, how the lake and sky play with your sense of movement, and how simplicity becomes immersive.
Coast‑to‑Coast Trail
Imagine pedalling east to west across Florida’s peninsula, island-to-ocean, through sparking wetlands, citrus groves, suburban stretches and unspoiled greenways: that’s the promise of the Coast-to-Coast Trail. At ~253 miles when completed, this is not a casual ride—it’s a full-on bike journey, long-distance exploration on two wheels. While the terrain remains flat, the variation in scenery keeps it compelling: early morning fog in a swamp, quiet backroads past ranches, a finish line near the Atlantic glitter. For the cycling magazine audience, emphasise the endurance angle: pacing, logistics (bike-friendly lodging, bike repair stops), weather windows (early season for cooler temps), and the story of crossing Florida end-to-end. The flatness means you won’t conquer mountains—you’ll conquer miles, landscapes, and time. It’s for riders who prefer the horizon over summit views, whose reward is the cumulative turn of pedals, varied vistas, and arriving somewhere wholly different from where you started.
Cross Seminole Trail
Located north of Orlando, the Cross Seminole Trail is a superb choice for cyclists seeking a high-quality ride without committing to a full day in the saddle. Threading through Lake Mary, Oviedo and Winter Springs, the paved corridor offers tree-canopied segments, quiet suburban stretches, and seamless connections to auxiliary greenways. With roughly 23 miles available, it caters to both casual riders and fitness-seekers looking for a quick metric‐century split. The flat profile invites consistent rhythm, a confident cadence, and the wind as companion rather than adversary. For magazine copy: highlight how this trail blends commuter access with recreational atmosphere, how early-morning rides here yield solar shafts through live-oak branches, and how cafés at trailheads allow the ride to become breakfast-meets-pedal. It’s not about epic climbs—it’s about flow, connection, and an accessible taste of Florida cycling with minimal fuss and maximum satisfaction.
Florida Cycling Events
Cycling is very popular in Florida, there’s a cycling event for every type of rider.
Horrible Hundred
The state’s “mountains” live in Clermont, and the Horrible Hundred is Florida’s classic hilly century. Organized by Florida Freewheelers, the weekend pairs a bustling expo with Sunday’s mass-start rides rolling past Lake County’s citrus groves and punchy ridgelines (Sugarloaf! Buckhill!). Police-escorted intersections, plentiful SAG, and endless pacelines make it accessible for first-timers and fast for veterans. Expect scenic lakes, short/steep rollers, and festive rest stops—more party than pain if you pace it right. Multiple route options mean you can sample “Florida climbing” without overcooking it. The expo vibe plus reliably huge turnout cement its status as the state’s can’t-miss fall ride.
Event website
GFNY Florida Sebring
GFNY brings closed-road polish to Central Florida’s “old Florida” landscape—scrub habitat, ranch land, lakes, and wide, low-traffic tarmac. Riders choose a competitive long course or a non-competitive medium, with chip timing, start corrals, and pro-style support (bottles, food, motos). The route is mostly flat with gentle rollers, making it fast if you can hold a wheel. Downtown Sebring hospitality and a lively finish festival keep the energy high. It’s a late-season target for fitness tests and age-group podium hunts—and a friendly on-ramp to mass-participation racing for newer riders.
Event website
Bike Sebring 6-, 12- & 24-Hour
Held at/around Sebring International Raceway, this is Florida’s premier ultra-cycling test and a RAAM-standards staple. Riders rack up as many miles as possible over 6, 12, or 24 hours on silky, flat loops that reward steady pacing and aero discipline. It’s a friendly scene—equal parts solo focus and pit-row camaraderie—with records regularly pushed thanks to smooth pavement and minimal elevation. Expect night laps, disciplined fueling, and a surprisingly addictive rhythm as the laps and miles stack up. If you’ve ever wondered how far you can ride in a day, this is the place to find out.
Event website
Cycle Mount Dora
Florida’s longest-running bike festival turns Mount Dora’s lake district into a two-day playground, with road, gravel, and MTB options plus a welcoming small-town street scene. Routes stitch together shady lakefront lanes, canopy roads, and Central Florida’s best rollers—challenging enough to keep strong riders honest, approachable for newer cyclists. The weekend vibe includes social spins, post-ride hangouts, and family-friendly activities; think community block party meets ride buffet. It’s a great showcase of the region’s scenery and micro-climbing without the pressure of racing, and an easy recommendation for groups with mixed abilities.
Event website
Gran Fondo Florida
Kicking off the Gran Fondo National Series, this Pasco County staple rolls past horse farms, orange groves, and through surprisingly hilly terrain (for Florida). It’s all about timed segments: overall ride time doesn’t matter—your segment times do—so you can socialize between efforts and go full gas when it counts. Dade City closes Main Street for the start/finish and a lively post-ride party. The punchy course rewards teamwork and positioning; bring friends who can rotate efficiently. It’s a perfect early-season test and a fun way to sample the national series format without mountainous suffering.
Event website
Dirty Pecan Gravel Ride
A beloved North Florida gravel classic, Dirty Pecan threads red-clay lanes, pecan orchards, oak canopies, and remote plantation roads on the FL/GA border. The vibe is grassroots and welcoming—low entry fee, high smiles, and a route library you can load to your GPS. Expect long, quiet stretches (many unsigned), changing surfaces, and a day that rewards smart pacing and wider tires. It’s adventure-forward: scenery over stopwatch, camaraderie over bragging rights, and plenty of post-ride stories about washboards, wind, and the prettiest dirt roads in the Southeast.
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| Policy Coverage |  | Homeowner/Renters Policy |
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| Theft by Force | Yes | No |
| Theft of Accessories | Yes | Limited |
| Theft Away From Home | Yes | Possibly |
| Vehicle Contact | Yes | No |
| Personal Liability | Yes | Possibly |
| Permissive Use Policy | Yes | No |
| Replacement Rental | Yes | No |
| Event Fee Return | Yes | No |
| Cycling Apparel Coverage | Yes | No |
| Medical Payments | Yes | Possibly |
| Racing Coverage | Yes | No |
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Florida's best bike insurance
No matter where your adventures take you, protect your bicycle and yourself from the unexpected with America's best bike insurance.