|
|
Bienvenidos a Miami!
Oh, dear reader, how do I express to you the joys of riding Oleta? Well, the first time I rode my mountain bike here I hated it because it was not what I expected at all. Florida is flat, and south Florida flatter than flat. I expected sandy, boring, and easy trails. Instead, the proper adjectives should have been challenging, technical, rooty. As long as you ride trails within your ability and you have the right expectations (see my adjectives) then Oleta will be a good experience. In a nutshell, Oleta River State Recreation Area is one of the best places South Florida has to offer cyclists. The park is unusual in that its 1000+ acres is situated in an urban setting, so there's no excuse to miss this place if you're heading to North Beach's famed Art Deco district or anywhere else in Miami! Trails are well marked and beginners can stay on paths marked "novice" if they wish. More advanced riders will find trails marked "intermediate" to be on the easy side. However, the roots, extremely tight turns, and switchbacks will keep you busy especially if you try to ride fast. The trails are groomed and changed occasionally to let trail sections recover from erosion and wear. Given the thousands of people who ride here I'm continually impressed at how well the trails wear. Careful, loose rocks will cause you to lose traction quickly.
Spring and Fall riding is best, but you can ride year round in south Florida. At dawn and dusk you will discover "No-See-Ums," tiny mosquitoes that bite hard. Bring your bug repellant. When you are finished, a bike wash area available. On a yearly basis, half a million cyclists visit this park. All of them can't be wrong: It is certainly worth a trip. Bike and kayak rentals are available.
Other recreational activities include fishing, swimming, canoeing, paddle boating, and biking on paved bike paths. This is a park where primitive (i.e. no bed sheets, no kitchen facilities) air-conditioned cabins are available for rent at moderate prices. They can be reserved up to one year in advance. The park is fairly close to the beach so cabins might be an alternative to staying in a hotel if you've brought your electric range and are otherwise prepared. Volunteer trail maintenance is on the fourth Sunday of every month. For more information contact Oleta River State Recreation Area, 3400 N.E. 163rd Street, North Miami, FL 33160; (305) 919-1846.
Amelia Earhart Park Terrain: About 5 miles of trail consisting of a sandy layer on top of hardpack. A little shade, but not much. Overgrown in summer. Skill To Get There: I-95 to Miami and head West on SR 924 (Gratigny Road). Exit left (south) on Le Jeune-Douglas Expressway. From I-75 head south till I-75 ends and take Gratigny Road east. Exit south (right) on Le Jeune-Douglas Expressway. The directions are now the same and turn right onto Gratigny Road. Entrance is less than one-half a mile on the north side of the road and park on the northeast side of the lake. 401 East 65th Street, Miami, Florida 33013. You can click, pan, and zoom on the map below. This is a full fledged county park with amenities for everyone: in-line skating, walking, jogging, picnic tables, fishing, fenced pet park, and mountain biking. The trails are not very long, but you'll have fun on the winding trails. Make it a couple laps and it becomes a good workout. There are a few small climbs and descents that would intimidate beginning cyclists, but otherwise there are no surprises. Beginners can walk around any sections that seem difficult. Trails flow fairly well and you can get going in a good rhythm. The only downside is that trails can be overgrown in summer with weeds that crowd in on you. You'll feel like you're riding in a jungle at times, but it's not too bad. Just push through and you'll emerge as king of the trail. You can't really get lost since it is an urban park, Tarzan. Have fun.
Matheson Park / Snapper Creek - Not Recommended Terrain: Not really worth the trip unless your are really bored. A short 3 roundtrip miles of interlocking mixed trails: wooded, sandy, coral, roots, mud, and gravel. For the intermediate rider and up. Lots of hike-a-bike sections. To Get There: Head South on I-95 until it ends and turns into US 1. Turn left (heading East) on Sunset Drive (SW 72nd Street). From SR 826, head towards Sunset Drive (South of Miami International Airport), exit on Sunset Drive and head East. So now you're heading East on Sunset Drive. You'll cross 57th Avenue and then turn right on Old Cutler Road (heading South). Park in Matheson Hammocks Park, which will be on the East side of the road. Ride South for about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) to the Snapper Creek Bridge. I'm hesitant to include this trail, but South Florida has so few places to ride that this place has made the list. The trailhead is on the North side of the Snapper Creek Bridge, but if you're in the Miami area then head to Oleta River State Recreation Area! This trail is so short that it will appeal to those who are locals, to those who have gotten bored with Miami (unlikely), or those who are pressed for time. If you've only got an hour or two to spare then it might be worth riding in this area. Trails are not maintained and you'll find lots of 2-8 cm (1-3 inch) fallen branches littering your path. This makes trail riding fairly difficult because you have to wrestle with the handlebar to keep moving and you have to avoid hitting branches crossing your path. Intermediate riders and up need only apply.
|
