Review Date
October 21, 2008

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: mstguide ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
Here lately is being wet. Fun & fun.
Always a great place to be away from busyness.
Great ride, good cardio work out.

If you don't want to pedal don't buy a bike :-)

Recommended Route:
Follow the signs.

Review Date
June 30, 2008

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 5 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: rwrc ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
single track, twisted with lots of obstacles, teter, and the shondell, fallen trees and some I pushed over no kidding during the rainny season its a flippin waterpark ...the guy at the bike shop calls us submariners

Recommended Route:
between vertical the trees.. on the hardpac...though and along the stream...over the horizontal trees.. Not around but though the palmettos .. around the wide bridges over the narrow ones

Other recommended trails in the same area:
hwy 27 during snowbird season before the dinner rate at the buffet watch out for the white caddy

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Review Date
November 26, 2006

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 2 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 2 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: bill rettew ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:

Nov 10, 2006,

Preserve Provides Perfect Place For Bikers
By BILL RETTEW JR.
wrettew@highlandstoday.com

SEBRING — Call them off-road or fat tire enthusiasts, but don’t call them mountain bikers in flat Sebring.

Twice a week, a group of off-road bikers meets to pedal their heavy duty bikes on portions of more than 10 miles of single track trails, grass roads and five wooden bridges.

The object of their endeavor is the 1,350-acre, county-owned, The Preserve of Sun ‘n Lake.

On Wednesday, Sebring resident Richard Percy tried to cross a creek without using the nearby bridge. The biker took a tumble, but got up quickly.

“Was the water a little chilly?” quipped a fellow rider. Percy couldn’t help but smile.

“I don’t fall that often,” said Percy. “But that’s what I’m here for – the excitement, the thrills and the challenge.”

A minute later a pair of bald eagles screeched loudly overhead.

Regular wildlife sightings by bikers at the preserve include deer, bear, armadillos, feral pigs, alligators, owls and many other types of birds, according to fat-tire biker Gordon Davis of Avon Park.

Davis said bikers maintain the trails, along with county help. The county’s largest county park is open to everyone, including walkers and fishermen.

While Davis said he appreciates the park’s close proximity to his home, Loren Ewing travels from Hardee County to ride with the group.

“We challenge each other and share experiences like the bald eagles,” said Davis. “We also know that they can bring you out of the woods if you get hurt. There’s safety in numbers.”

Avon Park resident Ken New also rides the local roadways, where he regularly bikes 100 miles at a time, or what is known as a “century.”

He said he enjoys both disciplines.

“It’s all fun,” said New, about off-road biking. “You can relax here and you don’t have to go so quickly and exert as much energy.”

Several of the bikers started meeting informally at The Preserve seven years ago.

Two unmarked trails kept riders cycling for the first year, but soon made way for what is now a large network with trails graded into categories based on ability and difficulty.

Trail builder, designer and regular rider Steve New mixes contrasting eco-systems such as a mix of pine forests, swamps and lakes in the same stretch of trail. There are no mountains, but the trails are not without challenges and small elevation changes.

An empty stream bed makes for ups and downs on Whisky Gulch while the pigs and armadillos have scratched out a roller coaster-type run on Woop De Do.

Several downed trees have remained in place, with many of those notched to give a series of ups and downs on Picnic Loop and other trails.

Cardiac Creek, an intermediate trail, challenges the rider with several sharp twists and turns over large roots of living trees.

In its heyday, 12-15 riders participated twice a week and, in turn, helped beat down the trails.

Three routes of 12 listed on the trail map are currently unrideable from lack of use, controlled burns and in one case, huge thorn bushes that became unmanageable. Downed trees, branches, growing weeds and grass keep those who maintain the preserve busy.

Quality bikes start at less than $400. Many styles cost up to $1,400, and some sell for more than $4,000, for heavier duty suspension and with all the bells and whistles.

Percy rides for the excitement and enjoys meeting other bikers.

“It’s not knowing what’s going to happen to you,” he said. “You hope you don’t get too many battle scars, but that’s what it’s all about.”

The Preserve of Sun ‘N Lake is located just off U.S. 27 at the western end of Sun ‘N Lake Boulevard. The parking lot is off to the right on Balboa Boulevard. For more information, call the Highlands County Parks and Recreation Department at 863-402-6812.

Off-road bikers informally meet at the preserve at 4 p.m. on Saturdays and 4:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. Riders of all abilities are welcome to tour the park, and the pace is comfortable and determined by ability.

Recommended Route:
South on US 27 to Florida Hospital Heartland division, just past hospital right on Sun 'N Lake Blvd for about 3 miles. At T-intersection
(Balboa and Sun 'N Lake)jog right. parking lot on west side of Balboa.

The preceeding article appeared in Highlands Today

Review Date
May 26, 2003

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Please Select

Review Date
April 13, 2002

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once