Biking trails at The Villages? Need help

[Ele201]

Hello! One of my dearest friends is seriously considering moving to The Villages. The issue is, she and her husband love to bike. They will often take their bikes with them when vacationing. I’ve been here less than a year, so not that long, but I haven’t seen any bike trails around. Bicyclists in The Villages, can you help her? Where are the trails, and would you recommend her living here if biking is so important to them? [Full disclosure, they’re also considering Hilton Head, which does have bike trials, so I’ve heard]

Thank-you for your input!

[John Mayes]

Hello! One of my dearest friends is seriously considering moving to The Villages. The issue is, she and her husband love to bike. They will often take their bikes with them when vacationing. I’ve been here less than a year, so not that long, but I haven’t seen any bike trails around. Bicyclists in The Villages, can you help her? Where are the trails, and would you recommend her living here if biking is so important to them? [Full disclosure, they’re also considering Hilton Head, which does have bike trials, so I’ve heard]



Thank-you for your input!


I’ve only been here since June and I can only speak to what I’ve learned so far……you’ll probably get much better info from those that have lived here longer.

We live in Hawkins. Their are miles and miles of walking/biking paths around Hawkins and the adjacent Villages, (St. Catherines, Bradford, Chitty Chatty, etc). The developer seemed to incorporate the paths into the overall plan more so than in the past. As well, the multimodal paths are loaded with cyclists.

So from my observation, The Villages are very bicycle friendly, (at least South of 44) and offer miles of opportunities to explore.

Good luck to your friends.

[villagetinker]

OP, it depends on what your friends expect. There are 2 or 3 cycling clubs that go for rides on PUBLIC ROADS in packs of 10 to 20 bikes, I see them several times per week. They can use the "golf cart" paths, however they may have concerns about the tunnels (low visibility), and the paths with the golf carts that are in a hurry. Outside of the villages there are some bike friendly paths, I am sure these can be searched on the internet.
As for riding on the public roads, there have been several incidents with bikes in roundabouts, as well as the occasional accident where a car hit a bike. I only ride occasionally, and I tend to stick inside our neighborhood, lower speed roads, a lot less traffic, etc.
Hope this helps.

[mojoslacker]

Hello! One of my dearest friends is seriously considering moving to The Villages. The issue is, she and her husband love to bike. They will often take their bikes with them when vacationing. I’ve been here less than a year, so not that long, but I haven’t seen any bike trails around. Bicyclists in The Villages, can you help her? Where are the trails, and would you recommend her living here if biking is so important to them? [Full disclosure, they’re also considering Hilton Head, which does have bike trials, so I’ve heard]

Thank-you for your input!

The Villages multi modal paths are likely hundreds of miles of interconnected pavement and are great for biking but care must be shown to coexist with walkers, pets, golf cars etc... Also they frequently cross roads. For more of a pure bike trail experience (paved and unpaved) there are many Florida trails, with trailheads in Inverness and Ocala as some of the closest. Leesburg has short trails as well. Review websites like floridahikes.com.

Many old threads about biking in TV here tho they usually devolve into walkers vs. bikers or drivers vs. bikers but that is the way of the internet. I recall reading TV was considering connecting to one of larger FL trail systems but best to wait and see as plans change.

[SIRE1]

In addition to all the bike/walking trails in The Villages south of 44 and the miles and miles of Multi Modal Paths everywhere in The Villages, there are also some fantastic rail-trails around The Villages. One of these is the 46 mile Withlacoochee State Trail to the west by the town of Inverness (which is a good starting point for both going north and going south). You would need to have a bike carrier and drive, but it is a great bike trail. If they are interested in biking outside of the bubble, have them do some web searches for bike trails in Florida. There are many.

[VApeople]

Where are the trails?

There are none in The Villages north of Route 44. South of 44, there are a lot of beautiful walking/biking trails. Some of the people stroll side-by-side and they expect bikers to greatly slow down when they pass walkers. That is fine with us because we ride slowly.

would you recommend her living here if biking is so important to them?

No.

There are a lot of bike trails in Florida, but not near TV. They can find a place to live much closer to the bike trails.

[DAVES]

There are none in The Villages north of Route 44. South of 44, there are a lot of beautiful walking/biking trails. Some of the people stroll side-by-side and they expect bikers to greatly slow down when they pass walkers. That is fine with us because we ride slowly.



No.

There are a lot of bike trails in Florida, but not near TV. They can find a place to live much closer to the bike trails.

My opinion. If you are looking for a nature trail without people popping out from behind every second tree. I am not aware of any. Truth if I did know of one, I would not post it.
It would shortly be infested with people popping out from behind trees. For better and for worse, the villages is crowded. Follow the rules? That is a reach. It assumes that people know the rules, will follow them and respect the rights of others.

[RBW225]

The closest dedicated bike trail is in Ocala called the Santos trail. Hiltonhead only has casual cycling. I am a serious road cyclist and did not like Hiltonhead at all.

[Billy1]

Trails and streets in Villages are busy.

[HoosierPa]

Lots of bike / walking
Only trails south of 44 in The Villages. North of 44 is too dangerous IMO. Love it south.

[sallyg]

If they are serious bikers I think there must be better places to ride than in or around TV. The paths south of 44 get a lot of traffic and can be quite congested at times. Riding around the same route can get boring.

[sallyg]

My opinion. If you are looking for a nature trail without people popping out from behind every second tree. I am not aware of any. Truth if I did know of one, I would not post it.
It would shortly be infested with people popping out from behind trees. For better and for worse, the villages is crowded. Follow the rules? That is a reach. It assumes that people know the rules, will follow them and respect the rights of others.
True.

[jimkerr]

There are tons of bike trails here. I ride my bike and enjoy the beauty all the time.

[Cupcake57]

Hello! One of my dearest friends is seriously considering moving to The Villages. The issue is, she and her husband love to bike. They will often take their bikes with them when vacationing. I’ve been here less than a year, so not that long, but I haven’t seen any bike trails around. Bicyclists in The Villages, can you help her? Where are the trails, and would you recommend her living here if biking is so important to them? [Full disclosure, they’re also considering Hilton Head, which does have bike trials, so I’ve heard]

Thank-you for your input!

I am familiar with Hilton Head's trails and if your friends find them to their liking, they will LOVE the trails south of 44. The trails are not crowded and are through some beautiful areas. All levels of fitness are doing their thing on the trails, and I think its great. Haven't ever had anyone 'pop' out from behind a tree, either!

[Gunny2403]

Been going to HH for over 30 years. Been in The Villages for 3 years. Bikes and walkers share the pathways. Both areas have lots of places to ride. More to do in The Villages. Awesome beaches in HH. Tough choice

[Matkins61275]

Check out sumter landing bike club. We have scheduled rides almost every day from various locations.. if they like to mountain bike,, santos trails in ocala is one of the best in the country. Also,, the multi modal trails are intended for bicy les as well as golf cards.

QUOTE=Ele201;2007651]Hello! One of my dearest friends is seriously considering moving to The Villages. The issue is, she and her husband love to bike. They will often take their bikes with them when vacationing. I’ve been here less than a year, so not that long, but I haven’t seen any bike trails around. Bicyclists in The Villages, can you help her? Where are the trails, and would you recommend her living here if biking is so important to them? [Full disclosure, they’re also considering Hilton Head, which does have bike trials, so I’ve heard]

Thank-you for your input![/QUOTE]

[KRMACK55]

Hello! One of my dearest friends is seriously considering moving to The Villages. The issue is, she and her husband love to bike. They will often take their bikes with them when vacationing. I’ve been here less than a year, so not that long, but I haven’t seen any bike trails around. Bicyclists in The Villages, can you help her? Where are the trails, and would you recommend her living here if biking is so important to them? [Full disclosure, they’re also considering Hilton Head, which does have bike trials, so I’ve heard]

Thank-you for your input!
Would tell them to move to Hilton Head. They don’t have bike trails only and the last few years of this awful heat means that perhaps 2-3 months of the year biking is possible !

Enjoy SC they have seasons there

[KRMACK55]

I’ve only been here since June and I can only speak to what I’ve learned so far……you’ll probably get much better info from those that have lived here longer.

We live in Hawkins. Their are miles and miles of walking/biking paths around Hawkins and the adjacent Villages, (St. Catherines, Bradford, Chitty Chatty, etc). The developer seemed to incorporate the paths into the overall plan more so than in the past. As well, the multimodal paths are loaded with cyclists.

So from my observation, The Villages are very bicycle friendly, (at least South of 44) and offer miles of opportunities to explore.

Good luck to your friends.
Those are walking paths not bike paths the two can mesh not do well

[VApeople]

Those are walking paths not bike paths the two can mesh not do well

What are you trying to say?

[GRACEALLEMAN]

We ride our bikes on the golf cart multiuser trails. Who in the world doesn't know that?

[John Mayes]

Those are walking paths not bike paths the two can mesh not do well

The paths are for walkers, runners, dog walkers and bikers. My experience is that everyone seems to get along very well on the paths.

[spinner1001]

Hello! One of my dearest friends is seriously considering moving to The Villages. The issue is, she and her husband love to bike. They will often take their bikes with them when vacationing. I’ve been here less than a year, so not that long, but I haven’t seen any bike trails around. Bicyclists in The Villages, can you help her? Where are the trails, and would you recommend her living here if biking is so important to them? [Full disclosure, they’re also considering Hilton Head, which does have bike trials, so I’ve heard]

Thank-you for your input!

In and close to The Villages: There are lots of miles on the multi-modal paths. Generally, the southern parts are less busy. Of course, bikes need to share these paths with golf carts. If your friends from out of town ride alone, I suggest staying off the roads in TV except Sunday mornings. If they like riding in a group, they could likely ride with a local bike club group on the roads. Years ago, I cycled around the Mount Dora area a lot and it was beautiful and had hills but those roads have gotten very busy with cars and trucks.

I agree that the Santos Trail in Ocala is great for bicycling. It is cycling mostly in the woods on a paved trail.

[Angelcancel]

As stated prior, several clubs travel in pelotons around TV. Several multi purpose trails which I use regularly and have never had problems . Between 44 and the Turnpike there are also trails for bicycles and pedestrians ( no golf carts permitted).Have personally biked 40-50 miles just on T V trail systems , going over the bridges at Brownwood and returning via the Chitty chatty bridge. Have also hone over TV bridge over the turnpike and biked that area at times

[bncuhler@verizon.net]

We are biking now more than we ever have. Wonderful biking here in The Villages South of 44, but also 45 miles of Trail through Inverness. Florida has many wonderful bike trails. All paved, shaded and very nice!

[toeser]

Hello! One of my dearest friends is seriously considering moving to The Villages. The issue is, she and her husband love to bike. They will often take their bikes with them when vacationing. I’ve been here less than a year, so not that long, but I haven’t seen any bike trails around. Bicyclists in The Villages, can you help her? Where are the trails, and would you recommend her living here if biking is so important to them? [Full disclosure, they’re also considering Hilton Head, which does have bike trials, so I’ve heard]

Thank-you for your input!


I bike seven days per week in the Villages on the multimodal trails. However, when I wish to do true trail riding, we throw our bikes on our car rack and go to one of many fantastic trails in central Florida.

The Santos Trail is fabulous - 15.5 miles one way - 2 miles north of Belleview

The Gainesville - Hawthorne trail is wonderful

The Withlacoochee State Trail can be accessed in about one hour west of the Villages and is one of Florida's longest trails.

The General James A. Van Fleet State Trail about one hour south of the Villages is perhaps our favorite. It is 29 miles long (all paved) and goes through largely swampland. We have seen so much wildlife, including many alligators each trip, multiple kinds of snakes, birds, turtles, otters, deer, etc.

We have also done several trails two or more hours from the Villages. Florida is a biking paradise.

[Ptmckiou]

The Villages has 400 miles of multi modal trails. Down south in the new area, they have many miles of trails that are bike/walking only (no golf carts) because they go through nature preserves. The great thing…the land is flat ( except going in and out of tunnels).

[GenevaSteve]

There are many long paved bike trails in central Florida that are not far from TV. Two of our favorites are the Withlacoochee trail (44 miles long) and the Van Fleet trail (29 miles long). Both are only 30 minutes from TV. We also like the Suncoast trail (41 miles). The Van Fleet trail has very limited car crossings and there are lots of gopher tortoises to watch. Do a web search on Florida bile trails, there are many great trails outside of TV.

[Dzurinko]

Hello! One of my dearest friends is seriously considering moving to The Villages. The issue is, she and her husband love to bike. They will often take their bikes with them when vacationing. I’ve been here less than a year, so not that long, but I haven’t seen any bike trails around. Bicyclists in The Villages, can you help her? Where are the trails, and would you recommend her living here if biking is so important to them? [Full disclosure, they’re also considering Hilton Head, which does have bike trials, so I’ve heard]

Thank-you for your input!
For off road trail riding, have them try Santos. Great dirt bike type of riding. Between Bellview and Ocala off 301. About 26 miles of in woodland with roots and rocks. True trail riding.