Going to be visiting family in the near future, north Nokomis near south Sarasota, and bringing a Bike, probably my XC MTB because I need to get some time on it. (Off of Honore if you know the area)
Plans are still a little up in the air, if I’m lucky it’ll be a Recovery Week where I can just do some easy Z2 rides. But, if the scheduling doesn’t work out, I’ll be in a threshold block and need to find a place to do at least a day or two of longer high power intervals. 20 minutes at Threshold isn’t going to work on a bike path…
I don’t mind doubling back or doing loops, even driving a little to get there. Any suggestions for good training roads / loops? Gravel works too with the MTB, but not sure there’d be anything that gave me enough distance…
Never been there, but looks like there is some gravel just to the east of where you’ll be……appear to be some long stretches that would suit your 20’ needs.
I live on the east coast and don’t know the Sarasota area too well. I have heard myakka state forest has some good gravel.
If you can drive head to Alafia state park, Balm Boyette trails for some mtb laps.
Check out piggy’s revenge course which is in that area also, it’s gravel but a lot of people use mtbs. I have heard conditions can be rough on that loop. That’s why I mentioned it last.
Balm boyette and Alafia are fun mtb trails. Where Florida makes up for no climbing, never ending pedaling and sometimes no escaping a headwind. Mtb trails are usually lots of turns and Alafia has more jumps but also technical spots as well.
Thanks for the intel. Now that I look a little closer there looks like there could be some decent enough rides both in Myakka and then a long loop called Tucker’s Grade southeast of Punta Gorda, but I’d have to drive there. I’d sort of like to bring my gravel bike, but I need time on the MTB and that’s pretty fast rolling with race kings.
Not too worried about endless pedaling and headwinds, I’ve been on a trainer all winter and used to grinding it out without stopping. The heat might kill me though if I’m not careful. Temps were in the low 40’s indoors this morning for my trainer ride
Of course, it might not be too hot depending when you do visit. The humidity can be bad most of the year, I always bring a little extra hydration with me on my rides.
I forgot about this gravel loop, it’s not super long but I’m sure you could extend time in the area if you wanted.
I live in the area albeit just a little south in a town called Estero.
In your area you have Cecil Webb for gravel and a little south is Alva (CRP) for MTB. If you go a little north you have Balm Boyette and Alafia just south of Tampa.
That loop is perfect for intervals. Hard pack limestone gravel with little to no traffic. I believe I have the KOM on it and it took around an hour or so.
