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Alafia River State Park Trail
Terrain: Hikers, bikers, and horseback riders use these trails. A combined fifteen miles of beginner, intermediate, and expert loops are available, after paying a small admission fee that is standard at all state parks. Overnight camping available.
Skill To Get There: From north I-75 head towards Brandon (southeast of Tampa) head east on SR 60 (Brandon Boulevard) and take Lithia Pinecrest Road (CR 640) southeast. This road eventually curves and heads directly east, then turn south (right) on CR39 by the school. From I-4 exit onto CR39 and head south. Park access from CR 39 is between CR 640 and CR 672. From south I-75, head east on county road 674 and then north on CR 39. There are two entrances to the park, which will not be hard to find. The southern entrance is the proper entrance to the state park. Here's the quick and dirty summary: Alafia offers lots of (mostly) cross country miles, but with variety for all types of riders. That seems like a generic statement, but consider that beginners can ride the trails comfortably, that the most talented riders from the state are drawn to mountain bike races staged here, and that Alafia was a 2003 International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA) Epic ride! Alafia is a great place to ride in Florida. These trails have come a long way since opening in the fall of 2001 from the designs of a local riders group, the SWAMPClub. Trail upgrades have occurred throughout the park, from signage to additional trails. Maps are now available from the park's main entrance. Trails are marked by skill level: yellow for easy, blue for intermediate, and red for hard. Alafia is a place where trail markers accurately describe sections. If there is a hard section, you'll see it in advance. There are no unexpected surprises like ledges or drop offs, which means you can go fairly fast even if it's your first time out here. Similarly, marked beginner trails and are wide and easy to negotiate. They may be a little boring, perhaps! Beginner trails traverse grassy fields and some pine forest, but if it hasn't rained lately the sandy areas can be tough. There are a few miles of advanced trails at Alafia, but they will test slow speed technical ability and bicycle handling skills. Wet or muddy conditions amplify the difficulty of short, steep climbs and descents that are often connected by ridges. It is easy to get lost on some of the criss-crossing trails, but eventually an exit will be found. Ride on... and be careful. Over ten miles of intermediate trails (blue markers) lean towards the easier side, but will occasionally test balance and technical skills. Large, angled palm roots, narrow paths, and other technical obstacles intersperse the lazily meandering singletrack. If you are alone, these trails can get a little monotonous. However, thoughtful touches throughout (such as wooden bridges and gravel beds at creek crossings) facilitate things. Or carry a lunch to break up the ride, as you dine at picnic tables within the trail system. It sure beats sitting on the ground! For most of the year, this area has more than its share of mosquitoes and a blazing hot sun! Gangs of mosquitoes are generally contained to the swampy areas in the daytime, but they come out of the 'hood in force at dawn or dusk. Away from the swamp and mosquitoes, trails meander through pine forest, open fields, and the edge of the swamp. There isn't much shade at times. This part of Florida only has two seasons and if your are not riding during the cooler season (November through March), bring plenty of fluids, sunscreen, and mosquito repellant. This is a fair warning, but do not be discouraged if you plan to come here. Just be prepared and you will have a great time.
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