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Morris Bridge Biking Trail
39 reviews
3.31 of 5
Trail is very well maintained and can flood in places when it rains hard. Its a great place to ride and can be real fast in some places. Sandy, but in
very few areas. No real climbs or decents, just
rolling hills back in the woods.
I-75 to Fletcher/Morris Bridge Rd. Head east on MB Rd. until you cross a bridge than watch to your right for a small sign and a dirt road that will run parallel to the road. Your there.
Summary: I just had to write a review of this trail system after reading some of the negative reviews by obvious young punks who only look for drops and climbs in a trail. These trails are a great way for people to get started in off-road biking. There are easy trails and some harder, more technical trails. There is "The Pits” area for the young punks to hoop it up on some drops and jumps, but for the most part these trails are made for the AVERAGE off-roader, which makes it a good thing. I can bring my 6 year old out here to get him started, or I can come out and ride a couple for the more technical trails on my own.
Rate these trails for what they are, well maintained, good variety, and just plain fun. If you want big drops and climbs go to Alafia or Santos. I love these trails for what they are.
Trails like The TOE in Lakeland and GatorBack in Alafia are currently closed since they were very difficult and too many people got hurt riding them. Not my idea of fun....
Recommended Route: I park at Trout creek, go up the embankment to the flatwoods section, ride panther, Squiggy, main trail over to Morris bridge, Washboard, indian, misery, gator bait, grandpa, hog wild, palmetto and out back to trout creek. Makes a great day of ridng!
Other recommended trails in the same area: Balm-Boyette Scub, Alafia State park, Croom, Loyce Harper (Carter Rd)
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Summary: The "main" trail is flat, but relatively picturesque. My buddy and I are still pretty much beginners and we had no problems with the trail. If you are looking for a nice ride through a Florida forest, go for it, but if you are looking for more difficult single track, look elsewhere. If you live in the local area, it is definitely worth checking out once, but I wouldn't waste too much time or fuel getting there. If you continue around the main loop you WILL have to ride on the hiway for just under half a mile.
We pretty much stayed in the southeast section of the park and rode the more technical trail extensions. There are a lot of roots to navigate on some of the trails, but not a single significant downhill or climb I can remember. Again, not worth driving too far for.
Lowlights: Lenght or lack there of of the subtrails, loose sand, hiway riding, main trail.
Other recommended trails in the same area: The only other FL trail I've ridden (haven't lived here very long) is the Caloosa Regional Park Northside, just north east of Fort Myers. Overall, there is less trail to ride, but a much more exciting experience. The owner of the local bike shop recommends the Alafia River State Park trail.
Summary: My wife and I are beginners and rode this trail. We did about 9 miles and found nothing challenging at all. It's mainly just a ride in the woods. There might be parts of it that are challenging, but when we went there were a LOT of trails closed so we didn't get to see too much. There are patches of sand, but no big deal. It's a nice trail for beginners to work on their cardio, but I can see it being boring if you're in search of a technical challenge. Overall, though, I thought it was good for what it was.
Recommended Route: Main, Grandpa, Misery, etc.
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Summary: Okay, so maybe I am old, mostly a roadie and ride a rigid bike, but: If you aren't having fun on these trails the problem is YOU. Go get back in front of your X-Box or whatever.
There aren't any hills here. It's a fact of Florida geography, deal with it.
There are patches of sugar sand. See above.
That covers the entire downside of these trails - the rest: wild animals and terrain, wicked switchbacks that alternately demand and defy your rhythm as a rider and marked trails with water stations is ALL GOOD. It really is about what you bring to the trail. The main trail runs through several parks with a variety of terrain and flora. You can actually tell when you're getting close to where you started by the trees and plants you see.
Trails are nicely marked and laid out. Go have fun. The SWAMP club and park authorities have done a great job of creating something fun and adventurous that isn't actually dangerous.
I'm rating it high aerobically because you can find plenty of locations to just pound your freeking lungs out. Technical rating's a medium, if you're riding hard enough to tax yourself then you better be paying attention to your technique. I'm also giving it a good overall score because it suits ME. All you downhill types and other mutants will hate it, that's fine. Just so we all know what's good for ourselves and know that it isn't the same for everyone.
Recommended Route: Explore. First time or two follow the numbered marked trails and then start exploring. You'll see a trail branch off from the main, and then later see where it comes back to join. Next time go take it instead. I don't think it's possible to get dangerously lost here, but it is possible to get a bit nervous about whether you'll get back where you started without a desperate bonked and worn out death march.
Other recommended trails in the same area: The whole wilderness parks area.
Summary: I know this trail has no ups or downs, but it provides a great workout and scenic background. It beats spinning classes for sure. While it may be described as easy, you must concentrate because the roots are dangerous obstacles. I have a friend who gashed his leg to the bone on one. The trail with its close proximity to Flatwoods and Trout Creek can be expanded to a 20 mile loop if you know your way around. At 50, this trail is challenging enough. I have done the harder trails in Florida and NC and I am content to ride fast through the woods these days.
Recommended Route: Park at Morris Bridge trail head, cross Morris Bridge Road, take 1800 Trail to Eubanks Parkway to the 7-mile Flatwoods Loop. Ride the loop for about 100 yards to the interior trail. This trail could be described as boring but is it "adds miles." After you pop out on the 7-mile loop, rejoin the main trail across the road, and take it to the levee (one climb up the bank). Take the levee and eventually descend (one momentary downhill) to the main Trout Creek road and then across Morris Bridge to the parking lot.
Other recommended trails in the same area: See above. For road bikers, Suncoast Parkway and Upper Tampa Bay Trails.
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