Gainesville, FL (2/17 - 3/6/24)

For our last stay in FL for the winter we stayed at Sante Fe Palms RV Resort in Gainesville. This stay was focused on riding bike trails as this location was central to five rail trails where we rode for over 275 miles the little over two weeks we stayed there.

One of the trails to our southwest that we have done in the past was the Withlacoochee State Trail which is one of our favorites in central FL.

The trail rides through one of the larger towns of Inverness which has a few parks to rest and restaurants.

The Withlacoochee is 46 miles long, so we took a couple of days to ride the entire trail.

To our north, we rode the Palatka to Lake Butler trail. Another paved rail trail, it went through a few towns and was in good condition, but more rural with less amenities and rest areas, so be prepared to be self-sufficient. This was also a fairly long trail we tackled in two days for 65 miles.

This trail is a work in progress, as there wasn't a way to actually get to the most northern part in the north without riding a busy road. Here you see the southern end where it just stops near Palatka. I think it will eventually link to the Jacksonville to Palatka trail.

Even further to the north is the Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail-Trail that was only 15 miles long, so we rode this out and back in a one day ride.

Here is another look of the Jacksonville-Baldwin that shows it was fairly rural and not crowded at all, but a trail in great condition.

Moving south and starting from the Santos trailhead for 31 miles, we rode the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway where there is an animal Land Bridge across the I-75 highway for animals to cross/migrate over this major interstate. A few feet ahead of Michelle in this picture is the very busy I-75 below.

Actually back in Gainesville, we rode the Gainesville - Hawthorne State Trail for 34 miles that ends near some breweries in town. Another rural rail trail, it also traveled through some parks with spur trails to see some scenic viewing. Bye FL for now, until next time!