
Though I've dabbled in many different forms of cycling, road cycling has been the go-to for most of my life, until recently. After years of hammering pavement I needed an escape from the smog and near death experiences caused by riding with angry drivers so I've begun seeking out roads less traveled.

If you live in or are visiting NE FL and you're ready for some off-road grinding here is what you will need to know.
What You Ride:
You will need a Cyclocross or Mountain bike. My current fix comes from my Bianchi Zolder Disc Cyclocross bike that I purchased this past summer. I put more than a thousand miles on it in the first 3 months, with 60-70% being off road. I don't even drive my car that much.

Always inflate your tires according to the terrain you plan to ride that day. For my Clement X'PLOR MSO 40c tires I may run as low as 45psi, or as high as 80psi if I'm going to hammer with the roadies before getting in some trails. Clement offers a tubeless ready version of these tires if you want to avoid those pinch flats that come with riding gravel.
If you're visiting and need to rent a bike there are many local shops. One of my favorites is Open Road Bicycles in Jacksonville Beach.
When To Ride:

Some routes will have time restrictions if they pass through private property or a state or national park but if you're like me you will occasionally have to satisfy that nocturnal urge to ride. And remember that the beach is always open, even in the dark. Just don't forget to check the tide before heading out. It's nearly impossible to ride the NE FL beaches at high tide, no matter how wide your tires are. With the right tide schedule I can get 20 miles of riding on the sand before work, and take in an incredible sunrise at the same time.

Where To Ride:
Here are a few rides that you should consider if you're in the area.
- Baldwin Trail - Paved multi-use path, great for families - 15m long path (not a loop)
- Nocatee - Singletrack and Fire Roads - 3-7 miles (multiple paths)
- Hanna Park - Singletrack (mix of firm pack and sand) - 10+ miles of paths
- Guana River Wildlife Management Area - Fire Roads - 20+ miles of roads
- Find more on www.singletracks.com


- Dirty Boar Ride - The group leaves from Open Road Bicycles in Jacksonville Beach on Saturday mornings at 7:00. Tide permitting, the ride first hits the beach for 10 miles, then takes a few miles of paved roadway until you reach Guana River Wildlife Management Area. Then you're on fire roads, gravel, firm pack, and unforgiving soft sand for 15 miles until you turn around and do it all again coming back. It's 45+ miles total and you will hate yourself most of the time.
Oh, and did I mention the boars? Yeah, they have tusks, and a temper. And then there are the bears, snakes, alligators, and fire breathing Game of Thrones dragon mosquitoes? Have fun!
Here are a few more pictures for your viewing pleasure.
- David West
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