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 (4+)
See all- Bike & Hike Getaway (DAY 1): Hike with picnic near Gainesville (several options)4732 Millhopper Rd, Gainesville, FL
PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE EVENT DESCRIPTION BEFORE YOU SIGN UP!
This getaway is supposed to be a social event and involves an overnight stay in Gainesville. However, if you do not want to spend the night, you can still sign up for each or any of the two days individually.
If you want to do both days, please sign up for both so we know whom to expect.Gainesville offers several types of accommodations including some wonderful B&B's. If you are going for a hotel (as we do), we can highly recommend the modern Hyatt Place Gainesville Downtown (hotel link). Rooms are spacious, breakfast is included and you will be close to restaurants where we will have dinner on the first day. Current rates are $190 + tax.
Please book your accommodations early, you can always cancel if plans change (but please read the fine print of your choice).DAY 1: Hike Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park and San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park including picnic (multiple options in total length)
Goti Mullersman and her husband Greg lived in Gainesville for a long time and are familiar with all hiking trails in the area. They will lead us on a scenic casual hike with multiple lengths so hikers of all fitness levels should be able to have a great time.
Our hike will include a picnic. Please bring along some food and drinks of your choice.
10:00 AM: Meet at Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park (4732 Millhopper Rd, Gainesville, FL 32653)
The fee for the park will be $ 4 per vehicle unless you have an annual Florida State Park Pass. Keep your ticket for the next park.
In the midst of North Florida's sandy terrain and pine forests, a bowl-shaped cavity 120 feet deep leads down to a miniature rain forest. Small streams trickle down the steep slopes of the limestone sinkhole, disappearing through crevices in the ground. Lush vegetation thrives in the shade of the walls even in dry summers.
Researchers have learned a great deal about Florida's natural history by studying fossil shark teeth, marine shells and the fossilized remains of extinct land animals found in the sink.
First we will check out the geological park and walk down the boardwalk to almost the bottom of the sinkhole (about 130 steps). After heading back up, we can walk the scenic one mile loop around the sinkhole.
We will then drive west on Millhopper Road to the entrance of San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park (about 4 miles). The ticket for the sinkhole is valid here too, so no need to pay again.
Parking will be on the left side of the road. The parking lot is not very big and sometimes gets filled up, but then we can park in the grass on the side of the road.
The preserve is named for the Mission San Francisco de Potano. The limestone outcrops and extreme changes in elevation provide ideal conditions for many species of hardwood trees, including several champion trees. Bobcats, white-tailed deer, gray foxes, turkeys and many species of songbirds inhabit the 18 natural communities found in the preserve.
There will be hiking trails on both sides of the road. The group will decide where we will hike first, the order of the hikes can be reversed.
It was suggested that we will start with the 2.5 mile loop on the left side. It is a wonderful loop which will include a picnic (please bring your own food and drinks).Those who feel they have hiked enough at this point can head back to their cars. They will have more time to explore the town or simply relax at their accommodations.
Those who prefer a longer hike can explore the other side of the road where we will have a choice to add on another 2, 3 or 6 miles. The 6 mile loop, called the Spring Grove Loop Trail, is very nice and highly suggested.
All trails are well marked with colored blazes, so if people want to shorten the 6 mile loop along the way, there are options for that.5:00 PM: We will regroup at the corner of SE 2nd Ave & SE 1st ST and explore what Gainesville has to offer.
06:00 PM: After a leisurely stroll through historic downtown (potentially with our local guides Goti & Greg), we might have dinner at the restaurant "Dragonfly" (wonderful Asian fusion) or some other choice (to be confirmed later).
Up to you when you want to call it a day. We will meet the next day at 09:00 AM for the DAY 2 event. This way, we all get a good night sleep and can enjoy a relaxed breakfast at our accommodation.
- Bike & Hike Getaway (DAY 2): Bike Gainesville - Hawthorne Trail (32 miles r/t)3400 SE 15th St, Gainesville, FL
PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE EVENT DESCRIPTION BEFORE YOU SIGN UP!
This getaway is supposed to be a social event and involves an overnight stay in Gainesville. However, if you do not want to spend the night, you can still sign up for each or any of the two days individually.
If you want to do both days, please sign up for both so we know whom to expect.
Gainesville offers several types of accommodations including some wonderful B&B's. If you are going for a hotel (as we do), we can highly recommend the modern Hyatt Place Gainesville Downtown (hotel link). Rooms are spacious, breakfast is included and you will be close to restaurants where we will have dinner on the first day. Current rates are $190 + tax.
Please book your accommodations early, you can always cancel if plans change (but please read the fine print of your choice).DAY 2: Bike Gainesville - Hawthorne Trail (32 miles r/t) + Hike the La Chua Trail (a bit more than a mile)
09:00 AM: We will meet at the Boulware Springs Trailhead in Gainesville and ride the Gainesville - Hawthorne Trail.
This is one of North Floridas oldest bike paths, it is 10 ft wide and provides a mostly shaded rural ride. The first three miles will lead through an area called "Hammocks, Hills and Curves". It will be a bit challenging but we will take our time.
Along the trail there will be plenty of opportunities for a little sightseeing.
After a short ride we will stop at the Sweetwater Overlook where we will enjoy fantastic views into the valley below.
Next stop will be the La Chua Trail where we go for a casual hike of a bit more than a mile that should last about one hour. Located at the north end of Paynes Prairie, the La Chua Trail is an excellent wildlife watching site with an impressive elevated boardwalk. Besides plenty of alligators, we might see wild horses, bisons and a wide range of birds.
After our hike and hopefully plenty of wildlife encounters, we will continue our ride to Hawthorne.
The ride to Hawthorne from the parking lot is 16 miles long and might take about 3.5 to 4 hours depending on the amount of time we spend for sightseeing.
Once we arrive at our destination, we will have lunch at "The Wrap Shack". They have ample outdoor seating and food for everyone including those who don't like meat.
After lunch we will ride back to the parking lot.
Once we are finished with the ride we could opt for a coffee shop or just call it a day and head back home.
Please do not schedule anything right after the event as it might take longer than expected. It is also fair to assume that we will hit traffic on the way back.
