What are the Best Road vs. Gravel/Trail Bike Riding Options Near Sarasota?
Hi all Road and Gravel/Trail/Mountain biking folks! I'm considering a move to the area and looking for the best places to road cycle and separately (non-sandy) unpaved roads and trails. Also would love if you would share where you like parking). I'll be searching for centrally located homes to minimize travel. For gravel/trail, I don't mind some technical riding, but prefer 10+ mile loops. For road cycling, I prefer 20-50+ mile loops with lowest car/traffic danger. I currently live in South Fort Myers and everything local is too sandy for gravel/trail. I have to drive to Caloosahatchee or 30 min south for anything decent :-( My googling/ChatGPTing has me looking at Venice/Nokomis for access to Myakka, T. Mabry Carlton Reserve, and Deer Prairie Creek for gravel/trail and Legacy Trail (train depot parking?) for Road riding. Please share your favorites and thank you very much!