Seminole-Wekiva Trail

Following a long day on the bike Monday, Tuesday’s ride plan was much less demanding. We put both bikes in the truck and made the 20 minute drive to the Seminole-Wekiva Trail in Altamonte Springs. It’s an urban trail that threads through the suburbs of Orlando in Seminole County, mostly flat with a variety of scenery.

Overcast skies kept the temperature comfortable and for several long stretches we pedaled under tree canopy. We’d then pop out into neighborhoods. It crossed busy four-lanes, skirted less-than-scenic Interstate 4 and then rolled through a landscaped executive office park before it reentered neighborhoods and gated communities, eventually reaching its end on Markham Road. This section did include the tour’s first flat. We later found the broken beer bottles that caused it, whipped out the magic blue dust pan, and dispatched it.

On our return trip we took a detour up and over I-4 via the mini Golden Gate bike bridge – that provided our only real hill of the day – and linked up with the Rinehart Trail. It parallels a busy four-lane before making a sharp turn down a utility right of way, passing through a tunnel, which was actually an overgrown culvert, before the trail came to an abrupt end. It’s a trail that connects part of the community, satisfied our curiosity to explore, but it’s not exactly a scenic wonder.

We then retraced our route back to the bridge and rejoined the Seminole-Wekiva, stopping at Peach Valley Café, a trailside restaurant for lunch where a lone sandhill crane was walking about on the trail. We then returned to Camp Feet First, packed, showered, napped and blogged, and then hit the back roads for an Interstate-free return to Gainesville, with irony. Total miles 34, trail condition excellent.
- Gary Kirkland
Photos are posted in the gallery.