Despite the lack of mountains, there is no shortage of mountain biking opportunities in Greater Gainesville. Under the mesic hammock, cyclists shred past wild blackberries and grazing deer while taking advantage of the miles of twisting trails, steep climbs and rugged descents. North Central Florida has become a mountain biking destination for everyone from seasoned cyclists to beginning bikers.
“I’ve biked a lot places, but I’ve never biked anywhere more stunning than San Felasco, especially during the changing of seasons. When the leaves start falling, you feel like you’re up north somewhere,” said Rob Lester, a mountain biking enthusiast.
Greater Gainesville is home to a thriving mountain biking culture. More people each year discover the area’s beautiful trails that offer a physical challenge and deep connection to nature. The area provides numerous resources, including local bike shops, annual events and cyclist comradery. Gainesville area bike shops offer more than just retail and repairs. Cyclists can find invaluable information, including secret trail systems, local events and group rides. Bike shops are a great way to get involved in various bike groups and meet like-minded riders. Additionally, the shops often offer warranties on purchases that cannot always be accessed in online purchasing. Chain Reaction, located next to Mi Apá Latin Café on University Avenue, has been a Gainesville staple for more than 30 years. Across the street is Super Cool Bike Shop, the only specialized dealer in Greater Gainesville. Located on N.W. 6th St., Bikes and More has been providing amazing service to Greater Gainesville since 1982. Goodbike is Gainesville’s only bike shop with a lounge that serves beer, located on N.W. 10th Ave. Each shop is stocked with a variety of brand and styles of bikes, components and various accessories.
San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park
With its diverse terrain and breathtaking landscapes, San Felasco is a popular venue for mountain bikers. Multiple trails and loops such as Tungnut, Hammock Hub and Conquistador carve through the preserved paradise and attract cyclists from all over country. The 40-mile, park-maintained single-track system of trails is hidden within the City of Alachua and sits on more than 7,000 protected acres. Rolling hills, creek crossing, sinkholes and log bridges all make up this intricate trail system. The state park contains Florida’s largest protected mesic hammock and was purchased as part of Florida’s Environmentally Endangered Lands Program in 1974. Teeming with diverse ecosystems, cyclists often see deer, bobcats and wild pigs. Nonprofit organization The Friends of Felasco invite mountain bikers from all over the country to participate in the annual all-day endurance event, Tour de Felasco. With the Metric Century Ride, 50-mile and 25-mile rides, the Tour is a highly anticipated event that has become a Gainesville tradition.
O’Leno
O’Leno State Park is nestled in High Springs, where the Santa Fe River begins to flow underground. Mountain bikers flock to this unique place with nearly 11 miles of multi-use trails surrounded by stunning views of natural Florida. Although some portions demand more skill to ride on, most of the trail is perfect for beginning and youth cyclists.
Santos
Just outside the city limits of Greater Gainesville lies a massive and intricate trail system complete with jumps, flow lines and rideable wooden features. Mountain bikers from all over the country travel to Santos Trailhead and Campground for its 80 miles of single-track trails that range in skill level from beginning to expert. Many of the Santos trails were developed by professional trail-building organizations, which understand the park’s topography and curate the trails accordingly. The Ocala Mountain Biking Association maintains these trails. The scientific process behind trail building creates a flow that is best for the land and the rider, and it designs a runoff for proper drainage to prevent erosion, which preserves the trails’ integrity. The Vortex Freeride and the Land Bridge are just a few of the features that attract cyclists to this mountain biking destination. The area was initially slated to be the Cross Florida Barge Canal in the early 1960s, but it is now a state park at Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway. Each spring, thousands of mountain bikers from all over the country venture out to Santos for the four-day Fat Tire Festival. The event invites various bike manufacturers to feature their latest bikes and components and offer demonstrations. With food trucks and children’s mountain bike rides, the massive event is fun for the entire family. Saturday is the big 50-mile fun ride called the Fat Tire Fifty. Although it does not require technical skills, participants should have some level of endurance for this long ride.
Urban Trails
Hidden within cosmopolitan Gainesville are several small trails ranging in skill level. Lake Pithlachocco Mountain Bike Loop at Newnan’s Lake State Forest is a 5.7-mile, single-track trail for beginning to intermediate riders. The West Trail is a 1.7-mile track with short climbs that weaves through the beautiful Sweetwater Preserve. Loblolly Woods has a 2.4-mile track that follows along Hogtown Creek through a peaceful forest near University Avenue. Each year, local bikers join the Tour de Gainesville to ride the more than 60 miles through Gainesville.
Haile’s Trails
Located on a private property in Newberry, Haile’s Trails is only opened to the public twice a year. It is built around an old rock quarry and provides some of the most challenging single-track trails in Florida. With its rugged terrain, steep climbs and descents, this trail is considered an intermediate to advanced ride. The hard rock tread base and limited access ensure the trail stays in great condition year-round.