Tampa Bay Cycling Meetup and Facebook Group

Our beloved (or behated, or bemehed) Dorie has had to take some time away from cycling, but today is the day she gets back on her bicycle! Well, okay, maybe not the day U are reading this, but the day of this event. She is expected to be weak and unsteady, so we'll only go a mile or three when we ride with her. And this isn't that ride. This ride is for U, so that you can get some mileage in, before doing a second ride in one day, the one that Dorie will be doing. Woo-hoo! When did U last do TWO bike rides in one day?

This first ride is the Dorie Loop but without the upper stem and back, just the Loop part. We'll ride clockwise, Safety Harbor, Philippe Park, Oldsmar, Town & Country Trail, George Road, Skyway Park, CCC incorporating the Bridge of Doom, and Bayshore back to the start. Don't worry about it if U don't know the route, because we'll be riding a single file line or a pack or some hybrid thereof, and we won't let U get lost. There will be a brief stop at SkyWay Park for water refills and pit stops (or is it piss stops?). We'll allow breakaways on the CCC after the BoD, and again on Bayshore. We won't do the portion down to Cypress Point Park and back, cuz we want U to finish this ride, look at your mileage, and think "just a little bit more and i can hit the round 3 - 0", thereby motivating you to join the second ride, and help chaperone Loopy Dorie herself up toward Philippe Park and back. Yes, i know, that's a cold admission of outright cyclist manipulation, but please overlook it and join us.

U do need to be capable of riding nearly 30 miles at a pace that may sometimes reach 19 mph in the group or line, and at a pace that expects to finish in 2.5 hours counting water breaks and traffic lights. U must be hydrated beforehand, wear a helmet, follow all laws, rules and regulations, and agree that your participation is at your own risk. U must also have the stuff to fix flat tires, although we won't all leave U if U do get a flat. All the other usual disclaimers and small print from other MeetUp rides apply, too.

Gene Sanders
412-779-5151

Loopy Dorie has been off of her bicycle for a while, and if all goes according to schedule, this will be the day she climbs back on. She won't be able to go far, and she won't be able to go fast, and she steadfastly refuses to promise me that she'll sing while riding, but she'll be back with us! We'll start at the bathrooms at the Safety Harbor Marina, go behind the resort hotel, and north up Bayshore toward Philippe Park. We'll go until Dorie wants to turn around and head back, or when we're through Philippe Park, whichever comes first. We'll ride near Dorie, so we can encourage her and enjoy her, but not so close that she feels swarmed and hemmed in.

When we're back, we're back, and the ride portion is over. But, for all those willing, we're gonna walk over to Bar Fly and eat lunch, quite possibly one of those lobster grilled cheese sandwiches that Dorie loves. Officially, the MeetUp ends when the ride ends, but U are all invited to join in for lunch on your own time!

If U are thinking that less than double figure miles at a snail's pace isn't quite the Saturday morning workout U want, there is a Dorie-Less ride from 9:00 - 11:30 beforehand, so sign up and join in for that one, too. Then you can brag all weekend, and into the next week if U are that kinda person, that U did TWO separate, sign-up, group rides in one morning, cuz U are that much of a fit athlete. Just don't show any pictures of the rides with me in them, cuz it isn't impressive when the old, bald guy with the beer gut does those rides, too.

All the usual disclaimers and small print are applicable, including but not limited to wearing a helmet, accepting all risk for yourself, and being prepared to complete the ride. And yes, it's quite fine to do just the 'with Dorie' ride and not do the Loop beforehand.

Gene Sanders
(412) 779-5151

Upper Tampa Bay Trail @Lutz Lake Fern Rd Trailhead to Starkey Wilderness Park

Speed 12-15 mph
Meet 07:30 depart 07:45
Distance: About 28 miles
Ride leader: John

Route Info Updated on 5/18/2025: Start at the Upper Tampa Bay Trail Lutz Lake Fern Road Trailhead (7020 Lutz Lake Fern Road, Odessa, FL 33556.) *There is a fee for parking at this trailhead. I think it's $2. There are also restrooms.

First, we will head SSW on the trail for 3 miles toward Van Dyke Rd so we can enjoy this interesting section of trail with our friend, Dorie. She may turn back to the start along the way or join us for the 6 mile out and back. Dorie will meet us after the ride at Revelations Cafe.

We'll continue along the Upper Tampa Bay Trail east, then north where it becomes the Suncoast Trail.

We'll follow the Suncoast Trail north to the entrance to the Starkey Wilderness Park where there are restrooms, shade, water and tools.

Since we're adding some miles to the start, we will follow the bike trail the T, where we'll turn back.

We will return along the same route minus the section between the start point and Van Dyke Rd.

Breakfast after at Revelations Cafe (17808 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, Lutz, 33558) - about 10 minutes from the trailhead by car (6 miles).

We are recreational bicyclists. Rides start from different locations in Tampa Bay led by volunteers. You must wear a helmet and exhibit safe riding. Cyclists are subject to the same traffic laws as drivers. Be prepared with water (it's going to be warm) & a spare tube/flat kit.