Every day, early in the morning, Miami gets filled with cyclists who pedal harmoniously through the streets, in groups or by themselves. From the Rickenbacker bridge to northern Miami you can feel the enthusiasm of cycling, and it is no wonder, because this city is adequate for this activity. Here you can ride a bike all year long without feeling cold. So here’s a list of the best cycling routes of this city, whether you like urban bike rides or mountainous adventures.
Image courtesy of Kim Seng at Flickr.com
1. Rickenbacker Trail
This route includes the Rickenbacker Bridge, one of the highest points of Miami, and from here you can get an amazing view of the city. It also takes you to beautiful beaches surrounded by palm trees. This biking trail path runs along the island of Key Biscayne, all the way to Virginia Beach, Crandon Park and the Miami Seaquarium. It has a total of 8.5 miles and it ends at Bill Baggs Park, at the very end of the island, from where you can also get a spectacular view. The sunset, as seen from the bridge, is also very beautiful. It is open from dawn to dusk. To enter the Bill Baggs park you have to pay $2 per bike and $8 if you’re using a car.
2. Amelia Trail
For those who like mountain biking, the Amelia Earhart Park track is great. Admission is $6 and it is worth it! It has several levels of difficulty according to your skills. The trail is surrounded by pine trees, flowers and vegetation. It is an unpaved, seven miles long road.
3. Oleta River State Park
Cyclists who come to this park will be able to work out hard, since it features a 14 mile route with various difficulty levels, from beginner to professional. For intermediate cyclists, there is a path more than 10 miles long. For beginners, there is a choice that’s only 4 miles long. The park provides helmets for those who do not have them. Admission per vehicle is $6 and it is open from dawn to dusk.
This route includes the Rickenbacker Bridge, one of the highest points of Miami, and from here you can get an amazing view of the city. It also takes you to beautiful beaches surrounded by palm trees. This biking trail path runs along the island of Key Biscayne, all the way to Virginia Beach, Crandon Park and the Miami Seaquarium. It has a total of 8.5 miles and it ends at Bill Baggs Park, at the very end of the island, from where you can also get a spectacular view. The sunset, as seen from the bridge, is also very beautiful. It is open from dawn to dusk. To enter the Bill Baggs park you have to pay $2 per bike and $8 if you’re using a car.
2. Amelia Trail
For those who like mountain biking, the Amelia Earhart Park track is great. Admission is $6 and it is worth it! It has several levels of difficulty according to your skills. The trail is surrounded by pine trees, flowers and vegetation. It is an unpaved, seven miles long road.
3. Oleta River State Park
Cyclists who come to this park will be able to work out hard, since it features a 14 mile route with various difficulty levels, from beginner to professional. For intermediate cyclists, there is a path more than 10 miles long. For beginners, there is a choice that’s only 4 miles long. The park provides helmets for those who do not have them. Admission per vehicle is $6 and it is open from dawn to dusk.
Image courtesy of VISIT FLORIDA Editor at Flickr.com
4. Old Cutler Trail
This is a fantastic bike route because it allows you to go through very pretty streets surrounded by ancient trees. The 11 mile long route goes through the beautiful Matheson Hammock park, where you can stop, have a drink and take a dip, and the Deering Estate Park. This one is a paved road. But you’re going to have to share it, though, because it is very popular among joggers and skaters. It is open from dawn to dusk and it is totally free.
5. Snake Creek Trail
This route is in North Miami and it is only 3 miles long, but it goes through some very nice streams, such as Snake Creek and the East Greynolds Park. The route ends in the heart of North Miami. It is free and it’s open from dawn to dusk.
6. Commodore Trail
This route across the city is 5 miles long, and it’s located in the northernmost part of Route 1. You'll find exclusive bike paths and sidewalks at some other spots. You’ll drive near the Vizcaya Museum, the Science Museum and the Planetarium. It is free and it’s open from dawn to dusk.
7. Virginia Key
It is a favorite for those who like mountain biking. It has 4 miles of terrain that combines difficult stretches for the more skilled, adventurous ones, and an easier one for beginners. Going there with your bike is free, but if you take your car you’ll have to pay $5 on the weekends. Take water, sunscreen, camera and food with you, because you can’t get those items here.
8. Pie Lauderdale Beach
The paved pedestrian promenade goes along sun-tanned beauties and volleyball and basketball players. It is a great way to visit the beach and later take a refreshing dip in the ocean!
9. Miami Beach South Pointe Park
Take a ride along a winding concrete road, full of hills and hidden paths which is also right next to the beach. This bike path connects to the south beach boardwalk and you can go all the way to Lincoln Road and back.
10. Matheson Hammock Park
Part of Miami Dade’s Parks and Recreation, you can take a bike path to the ocean, through mangroves, to the manmade closed beach behind the Red Fish Grill. This path also connects to the Fairchild Tropical Gardens.
11. David T. Kennedy Park
Known simply as Kennedy Park, it is located in Coconut Grove. Its vegetation is varied, from palms and pines, to ancient trees and mangroves. It has paths for biking, vast meadows that are ideal for playing soccer, volleyball and beach areas for children. It also has spaces for dogs and drinking fountains for them and their human companions.
This is a fantastic bike route because it allows you to go through very pretty streets surrounded by ancient trees. The 11 mile long route goes through the beautiful Matheson Hammock park, where you can stop, have a drink and take a dip, and the Deering Estate Park. This one is a paved road. But you’re going to have to share it, though, because it is very popular among joggers and skaters. It is open from dawn to dusk and it is totally free.
5. Snake Creek Trail
This route is in North Miami and it is only 3 miles long, but it goes through some very nice streams, such as Snake Creek and the East Greynolds Park. The route ends in the heart of North Miami. It is free and it’s open from dawn to dusk.
6. Commodore Trail
This route across the city is 5 miles long, and it’s located in the northernmost part of Route 1. You'll find exclusive bike paths and sidewalks at some other spots. You’ll drive near the Vizcaya Museum, the Science Museum and the Planetarium. It is free and it’s open from dawn to dusk.
7. Virginia Key
It is a favorite for those who like mountain biking. It has 4 miles of terrain that combines difficult stretches for the more skilled, adventurous ones, and an easier one for beginners. Going there with your bike is free, but if you take your car you’ll have to pay $5 on the weekends. Take water, sunscreen, camera and food with you, because you can’t get those items here.
8. Pie Lauderdale Beach
The paved pedestrian promenade goes along sun-tanned beauties and volleyball and basketball players. It is a great way to visit the beach and later take a refreshing dip in the ocean!
9. Miami Beach South Pointe Park
Take a ride along a winding concrete road, full of hills and hidden paths which is also right next to the beach. This bike path connects to the south beach boardwalk and you can go all the way to Lincoln Road and back.
10. Matheson Hammock Park
Part of Miami Dade’s Parks and Recreation, you can take a bike path to the ocean, through mangroves, to the manmade closed beach behind the Red Fish Grill. This path also connects to the Fairchild Tropical Gardens.
11. David T. Kennedy Park
Known simply as Kennedy Park, it is located in Coconut Grove. Its vegetation is varied, from palms and pines, to ancient trees and mangroves. It has paths for biking, vast meadows that are ideal for playing soccer, volleyball and beach areas for children. It also has spaces for dogs and drinking fountains for them and their human companions.