Toadmeister

Planning a family trip for 5 this winter. Me and kids are all big SW fans so going to Disneyworld Galaxy Edge. Kids are teens now. I want to do some biking while I’m there. Not going to take bikes, so thinking of renting some bikes for a day and trying out off-road trails.

Recommendations on bike trails, shops to rent bikes, bike shops?

Also Looking for tips and recommendations on where to stay (off site VRBO), other places to go (food, recreation, beaches).

thanks is advance!

jaxgtr

My only tip is to avoid Orlando, but I know that is not really in play here. I live in Florida and just avoid Orlando and it just improves my disposition.

However, if you feel you must visit, Try David's World Cycle for the bikes. They have shops in the area.

skidder

If you're only visiting why not get a membership in a national gym chain and go to one of their local facilities near the 'Tragic Kingdom' in the early AM to get some bicycle/stair climber/treadmill miles in before a day filled with visiting the parks. You're on vacation, why worry about a bicycle, the roads in an unfamiliar area, Florida traffic, and the Florida weather. You can always use the membership when you get back home.

Toadmeister

LOL, I don’t go on vacation to somewhere warm in the winter to excersize indoors!

Toadmeister

Any bike paths off-road in the Orlando area the hive here can recommend?

Toadmeister

thanks, looked up David’s World Cycle, will give them a call too.

Iride01 

Look on RideWithGPS, Strava, GarminConnect, MapMyRide and others to see where people there are cycling. Check both rides that members have shared publicly and routes that they have created and made public. Then look at those rides and routes on the map in satellite view and street view and see what you think.

Some have what they call "heat maps" to show you where the most people are riding. I haven't used them in a while and maybe they are requiring a subscription now. Don't know.

I too have been to Disney World and Orlando quite a bit. I'm not certain I'd want to cycle there either. But my visits were quick and business only with little time for anything else.

Bald Paul

Maybe post the question in the Southeast Regional forum?

p.s.: I've driven near Orlando. I can't imagine biking there. Unless you're suicidal.

Grouperdawg

There’s a gravel route not too far from Disney around lake Apooka if you have a gravel bike, google lake apopka gravel trail. Bring water

Altair 4

We've done WDW in what used to be the off-season (the week after Thanksgiving) when the Altair offspring was younger. The weather is, in my opinion, perfect at that time of year - the humidity is down, it seldom rains, and the temps are in the upper 70's, IIRC. One thing to take in consideration is the amount of walking/standing you will do while at WDW. During one 4 day visit, we logged over 55 miles. The other thing to consider is the park's schedule. I don't know if the attractions you want to see are still ultra-busy, but you might follow the Family Altair plan of attack of "first in, last out" of the parks. We were literally in the front of the pack at rope drop and it seemed like the only people behind us at the end of the day had brooms and hoses. Finally, consider the length of daylight during your planned visit - it may not leave you with much time for daylight riding. My recollection of driving in the area doesn't inspire me to want to ride there.

Outrider1

Sent you a PM.

257 roberts

There are several good trails near Orlando...West Orange trail, South Lake trail, Van Fleet trail (opportunity to see wildlife)plenty of places to ride.

mstateglfr 

People enjoy cycling in different areas and some even spend their vacation time to ride in unknown places.
Cycling isnt just exercise too.

Toadmeister

I'm only gonna consider biking trails that are off-road. Crossing a road or two is OK.