The 2023 Florida Tommys
My Tommys from my visit to the Sunshine State
It’s award season. I returned to Ohio from sunny Florida a week ago. It seems appropriate to honor the trails, communities, and cycling infrastructure that shone brighter than others in the sunshine state. I present the nominees for the Florida Tommys.
Trail Towns
Inverness
The county seat of Citrus County sits near the midpoint of the 46-mile Withlacoochee State Trail. The Depot, home to farmers’ markets, shows, and events, greets visitors at the city’s trailhead along with Liberty Park on the shores of Henderson Lake. The nomination clincher is the three-block bike lane on Apopka Avenue to the city’s courthouse square and many restaurants and shops.
Dunedin
Florida’s first designated trail town does about everything right. The Pinellas Trail runs through the beautiful resort-looking small town. The bike infrastructure is spot on. Many craft breweries and diverse restaurants call Dunedin home. It clinches the nomination with the bike-friendly infrastructure and attitude of residents.
Winter Garden
This city fully embraces the West Orange Trail. Winter Garden Station joined by Killarney Station are gold star trailheads with bike shops, bike rentals, clean restrooms, and ample parking. The trail runs down the center of Plant Street in a tropical linear park surrounded by food, dining, and shopping.
Trails
Pinellas Trail
The 45-mile Pinellas Trail earns its nomination with super destinations and spectacular views from the Tarpon Springs sponge docks south to the beautiful St. Petersburg pier. It passes through Dunedin and Clearwater with opportunities to visit beaches and harbors. It’s hard to find a trail anywhere else that offers more bang for the buck.
Legacy Trail
The 22-mile Legacy Trail follows a former railbed from downtown Sarasota to Venice. The attention to detail in its infrastructure won it this nomination. Trailheads are plentiful and equipped with restrooms, bike repair stations, and ample parking. The trail offers little to no shade, but covered shelters are amply sprinkled between trailheads.
Santos Trail
The 16-mile Santos Trail is part of the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway near Ocala. This disconnected section of the greenway offers a rare view of unspoiled undeveloped Florida. Yes, there are hills in Florida with this trail offering a rolling ride. The native live oak, pine, and palm forests won this trail its nomination.
Scenery
Casey Key
It’s a pleasant low-traffic cycle through Sarasota neighborhoods from the Legacy Trail Osprey Junction trailhead to Blackburn Point Road onto Casey Key. Head south to Nokomis Beach and be treated to unparalleled ocean views and beach homes of the rich and famous. Cycle into downtown Venice and back to Sarasota on the Legacy Trail.
Safety Harbor
Safety Harbor sits on the western edge of Old Tampa Bay. It is possible to cycle to many parks from the Safety Harbor Pier on quiet roads and multi-purpose trails. Safety Harbor landed its nomination as a base to cycle the 10-mile Courtney Campbell Causeway across the bay on a dedicated bike trail. Wow to the views!
Clearwater
The Clearwater Causeway connects the Pinellas Trail in Downtown Clearwater to Clearwater Beach. This beautifully built protected bikeway is quite scenic. Head south crossing over to Sand Key and through Belleair Beach and Indian Rocks Beach. Circle back on the Belleair Causeway to quiet neighborhoods to the Pinellas Trail. Ocean and beach views galore landed Clearwater this nomination.
And the winner is…
All of the above. Each of these nominations deserves a Tommy. Don’t take my word for it. Experience them in person and on a bike. You will not be disappointed.
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Happy Trails!
Tom on the Trails
Great idea for a post Tom, and your photos are stunning. (I really enjoyed your post on signs too.)