Florida's Coast-to-Coast Trail Guide: 250-Miles of C2C Bicycle Rides and Walks- Titusville to St. Petersburg

Florida's Coast-to-Coast Trail Guide is a guidebook designed specifically for the 250-mile dedicated bicycle/pedestrian trail that provides an uninterrupted cross-Florida trail from Titusville to St. Petersburg. The trail (over 80% complete and to be completed by 2025) already attracts not only local cyclists and walkers, but also out-of-state cycling enthusiasts. This book provides readers with a broad background of the communities through which they will travel. Although maps are included, this is not a detailed "how-to" guide, nor does it provide extensive lodging, camping or restaurant information; much of that information changes frequently and can be easily obtained via online searches. Instead, this book focuses on interesting cultural and natural aspects of the route. By highlighting the local flavor of small towns, the beauty of natural Florida, as well as local historical events, this book will introduce readers to the uniqueness of Florida. Distinctive features covered in the book include the Greek heritage of Tarpon Springs, Winter Garden's thriving downtown based on its citrus and bass-fishing past, Titusville's role in space exploration, and St. Petersburg's lively waterfront and flourishing art scene. Also covered is the natural world of beautiful freshwater springs, moss-shrouded oak trees, and migratory birds found in protected areas along the trail such as Gemini Springs Park, Brooker Creek Preserve and the Green Swamp. In addition, readers will be introduced to important historical Florida figures such as civil rights leaders Harry T. and Harriett V. Moore and Russian entrepreneur and railway builder Peter Demens.

ISBN-13: 9781683343196

Media Type: Paperback

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers - Inc.

Publication Date: 11-01-2022

Pages: 190

Product Dimensions: 5.40(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.50(d)

Nanci J. Adler is a writer as well as a long-time cyclist and avid bicycle tourist, having explored the US and over 10 countries on bicycle trips, many of which were self-supported multi-week tours. Her essay "The Existential Cyclist” was published in the anthology Culture on Two Wheels, University of Nebraska Press. A Florida resident since 1981, Ms. Adler is also an advocate for protecting wildlife and the natural environment. She is a UF/IFAS Florida Master Naturalist, a member of the Florida Native Plant Society, and a long-time volunteer at the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey in Maitland, Florida. Ms. Adler lives in Maitland, Florida.

Table of Contents

Introduction: The Florida Coast-to-Coast Trail and the Focus of This Book 1

Know Before You Go 5

Florida's Heritage Along the C2C Path 11

Trail Section 1 Titusville to Osteen-30 miles (& optional spur to New Smyrna Beach) 17

Trail Section 2 Osteen to Sanford Wayside Park-13 miles (& optional spur on the Spring-to-Spring Trail) 36

Trail Section 3 Sanford Wayside Park to Altamonte Springs-17 miles (& optional spur to Sanford town center) 55

Trail Section 4 Altamonte Springs to Clermont-31 miles 70

Trail Section 5 Clermont to Spring Hill Trailhead-55 miles* *Mileage when trail is complete, projected 2026 87

Trail Section 6 Spring Hill Trailhead to Tarpon Springs-47 miles 105

Trail Section 7 Tarpon Springs to Clearwater-14 miles (& optional spurs to Honeymoon Island and Clearwater Beach) 118

Trail Section 8 Clearwater to St. Petersburg-22 miles 138

Practical Planning: Suggested Itineraries and Resources 153

Appendix: Crossing the Gap Between Groveland and Brooksville (in Trail Section 5) 162

Sources and References 165

Index 167

Acknowledgments 180

About the Author 181

About the Photographer 182