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 of course 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 5 to 13 miles in length and are generally casual in nature. Occasionally we mix bike rides and hikes.
From time to time we will 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 event description and make sure you check your bike 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 cannot 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 responsibility 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 cannot be held liable for any of the risks mentioned above. This release extends to any of the members' representatives, executors or heirs.
Upcoming events
84
Bike Cape Haze Pioneer Trail & Gasparilla Island (34 miles r/t) + Lunch
Cape Haze Pioneer Park, 1688 Gasparilla Rd, Rotonda, FL, USJoin us for a casual bike ride that combines the Cape Haze Pioneer Trail and the entire length of Gasparilla Island. Total distance will be 34 miles r/t. Please make sure you can ride the distance before you sign up.
09:00 AM: Let's meet at the Cape Haze Trail Park parking lot (1688 Gasparilla Rd. in Port Charlotte). This is also called the Dr. Robert D. & Ann Mercer Trailhead.
The Cape Haze Pioneer Trail follows a natural greenway and railroad route that once terminated at Gasparilla Island. The Charlotte Harbor and Northern Railroad (CH&N) transported phosphate from the mines at Mulberry on a rail line along the Peace River to the ore-loading dock at Boca Grande. The trail is about 7 miles long.
From its end, we will follow Gasparilla Rd. on a sidewalk, ride on the Boca Grande Causeway and cross over to Gasparilla Island.
Toll will be $3 per bicycle. Please have exact change. We will collect the money in advance, so we will be able to pay for all at once at the toll both.
Once we are on Gasparilla Island we will ride along the road for a short distance and cross over to the bike path that leads all the way to the Gasparilla Island State Park. We will stop at Banyan Street in Boca Grande and the historic lighthouse along the way.
On our return from the State Park we will pass the yacht harbor and the historic Gasparilla Inn before we will stop at our favorite restaurant Sisters for lunch. They offer a wide range of food and service is always excellent.
If we want, we can quickly walk into the historic Gasparilla Inn to check out the ballroom and the interior.
After that, we will ride all the way back to the parking lot.
Total distance will be about 34 miles r/t. Please carry sufficient water, protect yourself from the sun and check your bikes before the ride. A bike lock is mandatory.
This will be a social event and no race! Please don't schedule anything right after the event as the ride and/or lunch might take longer than expected.
As always, if you have questions or need directions, you can contact us at (917)774-0941.35 attendees
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 Trails
Have fun!2 attendees
Past events
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