What we’re about
We are an active outdoor group that loves to bike and hike. Our team has several years of experience hosting events. The events are welcoming and inclusive, it will be easy to make like-minded friends.
To be able to participate in any of our events, we kindly ask you to sign our waiver and release (see section at the end) and pay an annual nominal fee of $20 within your two week free trial period. The good news is that you only have to set up payment once. It will be automatically renewed. You can however cancel automatic renewal at any time.
Our recreational bike rides range from 10 to 60 miles in distance at an average speed of 10 to 14 mph. They might include breakfast or lunch. Our hikes range from 6 to 13 miles in length and are generally casual in nature. We might occassionally mix bike rides and hikes.
From time to time we might post other outdoor events, in particular during the hot summer months.
OUR POLICIES
We are not a big fan of many rules, we just love the outdoors and want to have fun. But please be respectful of your fellow members and those who organize and host events. Your hosts are volunteers and not professionals. Make sure they'll get your full support and arrive on time.
For liability reasons we don't allow guests. However, everyone is welcome to join our group and sign the waiver with the full legal name.
Our events are generally open to everyone in our group but occasionally we might have to limit its size. Always be aware of your capabilities when you sign up for an event.
It is important that you let your event hosts know in advance if you can't make it although you signed up. This will be in particular necessary when we have a waitlist. Frequent no-shows are not cool and won't be accepted, it's just not fair.
Our bike rides differ in length and speed. Please always check the events' description and make sure you checked your bikes before the event. Tire pressure, battery charge, brakes etc. should be efficient and fully functioning.
We highly recommend that you wear a helmet on our bike rides. Accidents happen and you might get hurt. If you decide to participate without a helmet, you will do so at your own risk and can't hold anyone responsible.
Hikes in Florida can be challenging although the terrain is flat. The biggest risks are dehydration and exhaustion. Just make sure you carry sufficient water and sun protection.
With that all said, have fun and enjoy the outdoors with like-minded people.
OUR WAIVER AND RELEASE
This Waiver and Release is applicable to all members of our "SWFL Bikes and Hikes" group.
By joining our group and undersigning our waiver with the full legal name, all members of "SWFL Bikes and Hikes" acknowledge that by registering and participating at any of our events they do it voluntarily and fully assume all risk of injury, illness, damage or loss of personal property. This is in particular true when riding the bike without a helmet.
All members of "SWFL Bikes and Hikes" must abide by all laws and regulations and agree to participate in a safe manner.
The "SWFL Bikes and Hikes" organizer, co-organizers and event organizers are volunteers and not trained or professional guides. It is the full responsiblity of each event participant to make sure the event is suitable based on the physical condition, personal skill and necessary equipment.
All members acknowledge that "SWFL Bikes and Hikes", their organizer, co-organizers, event organizers as well as their families and other participants can not be held liable for any of the risks mentioned above. This release extends to any of the members' representatives, executors or heirs.
Upcoming events
100
Documentary: From Rails to Trails - Link enclosed - Watch anytime
Location not specified yetOur friends from Tampa Bay Cycling posted about this documentary, we would like to share it with all of you!
PBS is showing a documentary by filmmaker Dan Protess about the most unlikely social movements in American history: the struggle to convert thousands of miles of abandoned railroads into trails for cycling and walking. The story is narrated by Edward Norton, the famous actor, producer and screenwriter.
You can watch the documentary until April 2026 by clicking on the link:
Documentary From Rails to TrailsHave fun!
6 attendees
Bike/Hike Shamrock- to Indian Mound Park & Brunch at Mango Bistro (30 miles r/t)
Shamrock Park, 3900 Shamrock Drive, Venice, FL, USThis is a good one but we will have to start right after sunrise (knowing that some of you will struggle getting out of bed).
Parts of the route might be familiar to some of you but we will continue riding south until we reach Englewood. On our way, we will even go for a little hike. Total distance will be 30 miles r/t., average speed casual 10-12 mph.
Let's meet at Shamrock Park & Nature Center. There will be plenty of parking and restrooms. We really want to start early.
Kick-off will therefore be at 07:45 AM sharp. Please be on time.Our ride will take us through South Venice, past Lemon Bay Preserve, through Manasota, along Lemon Bay Park and end at Indian Mound Park in Englewood. We will make several stops along the way.
At Lemon Bay Preserve we will go for a little hike, nothing serious though.
A short ride back from Indian Mount Park will lead us to our brunch place on W Dearborn St.
Mango Bistro with its French and Californian Cuisine offers plenty of healthy food including Vegan and Gluten-Free options. The restaurant has indoor and covered outdoor seating. Expect the place to be busy, means we will have more time to relax, socialize and enjoy.
After brunch we will take a slightly different route back to the starting point.
This will be a social event and no race. Please don't schedule anything right after as the ride and/or the brunch might take longer than expected.
Don't forget to bring a bike lock, plenty (!!!) of water (ideally with electrolytes), a snack and protect yourself from the sun.
As always, if you have questions or need directions, you can contact us at (917)774-0941.
23 attendees
Weekend Getaway (Day 1): Dunedin Wines The Blues - A Blues & Wine Festival
Dunedin History Museum, 349 Main St, Dunedin, FL, USIt is finally announced!! Line-up and start time will be announced shortly, meeting time might change accordingly. You might want to book your accommodations soon!!
This (by now standard) getaway is supposed to be a social event and involves an overnight stay in Dunedin from Saturday, November 8th to Sunday, November 9th. In case you don't want to spend the night in Dunedin, you can still sign up for any of the two days individually. Please sign up for each day you would like to attend so that we know whom to expect.
Day 1 (November 8th): Join us for "Dunedin Wines the Blues", the most popular and FREE blues festival in the area.
After initially being canceled last year due to the enormous task of putting it all together, the festival was on again thanks to the overwhelming support of many hard core fans. However, the festival came back to its roots and cut down the number of stages from 4 to 1. It still was a great success and lots of fun as always.
Any update on the new lineup and further details can be found on Dunedin Wines The Blues whenever it will be published.Music will likely start again at 12:00 PM and last until 10:00 PM. Main Street will be closed to traffic. Participating bands will be announced later. There will be tons of food and wine stands but Dunedin is also known for its variety of restaurants, cafes and microbrews, so we won't be hungry or thirsty. It is a good idea to bring along a foldable chair. We obviously don't have to stick together the entire time, we understand that music taste differs...
As it stands right now and it might still change depending on the schedule, we will meet at 12:00 PM in front of the History Museum at 349 Main Street in Dunedin. We will then walk over to the park (where the stage is) to secure our spot but feel free to wander around town whenever you like. You know where to find us.
We will meet again at 05:00 PM at the same spot and walk over to the pier, listen to the bagpipers and watch the sunset at 05:41 PM. After that we head to a restaurant for dinner (suggestions are very welcome but remember that most restaurants don't accept reservations and it will be crowded)
After dinner we will walk back to the festival.
If you want to stay overnight, you should book your accommodation early as all will fill up quickly. You can always cancel if needed but please read the fine print in advance. The Hampton Inn Dunedin is a good choice although a little bit on the expensive side. Of course there are plenty of other accommodations in the area.
Again, please indicate which of the 2 days you want to join us. Obviously, we hope to see many of you on both.
On Day 2 we will ride our bikes to Tarpon Springs and go for Greek lunch.If you have any questions or need directions, you can always call or text us at (917) 774-0941.
12 attendees
Past events
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