Dunedin Hub #2 - 2022
Bike with us in Sunny Florida in February!
On our Dunedin Hub Tour, we will enjoy 5 nights at our great trailside hotel, with loads of walkable food and shopping options nearby. The central theme of our tour is the Pinellas Trail, a wonderful rail trail which connects St Petersburg with Clearwater, Dunedin, Tarpon Springs and other smaller cities. This well-known trail is very popular and passes through quiet neighborhoods, manufacturing centers, past coffee shops and breweries, in several cities and towns. On this tour we will explore areas north and south of Dunedin, plus one ride to the east, on a series of trails that lead to Safety Harbor, another small city with lovely parks, old oak trees and a beautiful marina. Water is another thread on this trip; we’ll visit Honeymoon Island, where you’ll be able to spend the day at the beach if you wish. And we’ll bike to Clearwater Beach and see the sights there. Another highlight of the tour is our ride up to Tarpon Springs, a Greek community, where you’ll be able to see the famous Sponge Docks, and enjoy some delicious Greek food. Our mileage averages around 25 per day, but more miles are certainly available if you want them! The riding on our tour will all be on paved bike paths.
HUB TOUR! This trip is another of our latest tour designs. For convenience, we will stay at the same hotel for all 5 nights of the tour, which has several advantages. First off, you are not limited to what type or amount of luggage you can bring. Second, you can bring an e-bike or other non-standard bike, since we won't be shuttling to different locations with our van and trailer. And third, this means you won't have to pack up each day and relocate to another destination. This will be a fun, relaxed tour in a location just brimming with cycling opportunities.
Tour Leaders: Mark and Colleen Troy
Included
- 5 nights lodging
- 5 breakfasts
- 2 dinners
- sag support
- daily cue sheets
- daily social hour!
Itinerary
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Day 1
Meet riders in Dunedin for our introductory meeting and social hour.
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Day 2
25 miles - We’ll bike the Pinellas Trail south to Taylor Park, then backtrack to Clearwater, where we will take the high bridge path over the bay to Clearwater Beach. This is a spectacular ride! Lunch is on your own in Clearwater Beach. You can explore the beach or walk out on Pier 60 Fishing Pier, or check out the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, before heading back to Dunedin.
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Day 3
15+ miles - Today is our "nature day”, with a gorgeous ride on the Dunedin Causeway Trail out to Honeymoon Island State Park. We’ll set up a rest stop with refreshments for you near the trailhead of the 2-mile Nature Trail. Nearby is the North Beach and its white sandy beaches. We usually see gopher tortoises, ospreys and bald eagles on this day. If you are up for it, you can take the ferry over to Caladesi Island and spend the rest of the day there, walking the beach and soaking up the peace and quiet. No roads lead to Caladesi Island - you must take the ferry. A quick 7 mile bike ride will get you back to Dunedin. Don’t miss happy hour!
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Day 4
28 miles - Greek food, the Sponge Docks, Wall Springs Park, and more great cycling. That sums up today’s activities. We’ll bike north on the Pinellas Trail today, roughly 12 miles, to Tarpon Springs. This Greek community is well known for the Sponge Docks, where divers unload their harvest of sponges. Souvenirs, handmade soaps, local shops and cafe’s abound. After you’ve had your fill you’ll make your way back to the trail and head south. Wall Springs Park makes a good rest spot. You can see the clear springs at the park and explore on the trail which leads to an overlook. The mangroves hold many birds and other creatures. We’ve seen osprey, roseate spoonbill and many other shore birds here. Finish off the ride and you’re back at our hotel.
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Day 5
18 or 36 miles - Today we’ll begin with a ride south on the Pinellas Trail, then turn east on the Druid Trail. Eventually we’ll end up in Safety Harbor. The largest oak tree in the county lives here. It is enormous! Safety Harbor is a quiet town with plenty of shops and restaurants lining Main Street. Check out the marina before heading back to retrace the path to Dunedin, or hop in the van for a lift back. Tonight we’ll toast each other’s achievements and have some belly laughs. This sure beats shoveling snow!
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Day 6
Optional mileage - Today we don't have any scheduled bike rides but checkout time is not until 11:00. You might want to retrace some of our previous rides or explore one of the nearby parks in Dunedin. We'll say goodbye for now; It's been a fun tour!
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
The trails on this tour are paved. The trails are suitable for all bicycles. The trails are mostly quite gentle and the riding is pretty easy.
Suggested bicycle: Touring bikes, road bikes, hybrids
Suggested tire size for this tour: 28mm – 37mm (or larger)
Pricing
$1800 per person (based on double occupancy)
$530 – Single Supplement (extra price to have your own room)
$120 – Bike Rental (helmet, bike bag and lock included)
Your Travel Plans
For this tour we meet people on Sunday, February 13, 2022 at 5:00 pm at Holiday Inn Express & Suites Clearwater North/Dunedin.
Address: 975 Broadway, Dunedin, FL 34698
Phone: (727) 450-1200
The trip ends on Friday, February 18.
If you are driving, there is free parking during our tour.
Your Lodging Plans
Your night’s lodging from Sunday, February 13 through Thursday, February 17, 2022 is included. Your night’s lodging on the day the trip ends (Friday, Feb 18) is not included. That night is at your expense and reservations for that night are your responsibility.
