Mountain Biking
Carter Road Park
Near Lakeland, Florida
If it's short technical "finger" loops full of mud, sand, roots, thrills and spills - you talkin' Carter Road!
by Dana Farnsworth, Outdoor Travels
At over 400 acres, Carter Road Park, like most of Florida's recreational areas has its roots set firmly in the phosphate mining industry. This area of over 400 acres operated as a phosphate mine during the 40s -50s. Phospate mining often pushed around great amounts of dirt, creating small hills and lakes in Florida's otherwise flat landscape. This adds great enjoyment to off-road bicyclist riding any of these reclaimed areas.
Carter Road park is probably best known for its sections of rolling and narrow ridge trails that dare even the bravest professional to ride them without stopping and without ending up in the green water that is ever so precariously close to edge of these trails. Riders of all levels can ride Carter Road Park as many of the difficult ridge trails are an optional ride from some of the flowing single track. However, it's the advanced or brave rider that will find the most enjoyment here.
Carter Road's trails are unique in that they defy the usual standards of measurement of a quality trail. The individual trails are not long, they have flow in fits and starts (with an exception or two) and at any time you can find yourself riding past (pick one): a dirt road with cars on it, an overflowing trash can, an abandoned sofa, several cases of empty Busch Light cans or just some general redneck fishing rubbish. Oh, and the navigation can be a little bit of a challenge.
With all these negatives, why should you bother? Well, Carter has some uniquely challenging ridge trails with off camber lines,slick roots and tough obstacles. When you've ridden Alafia, Santos and Reddick, it's time to check out Carter Road Park's offering - it will surprise you. The local mountain biking club has been fixing a lot of these of these ills and in general doing a great job of maintaining this interesting short network of trails.
The trails at Carter Road Park are being built by the Ridge Riders Mountain Bike Association. Still a work in progress, their goal is to make this one of Florida's best mountain biking venues. Most people ride the current loop in a direction starting from the trailhead to the left. (Sprinkler Hill). You'll want to do the same, as the trail system can get congested with all sorts of trail users on the weekends.
Featured log
08/03: Riding some newly cut trails that thrill and spill!
by Dana Farnsworth
Signage, as well as trash continue to be issues at Carter Road- not enough good signage and too much trash. Overall the trails continue to be very technically challenging to me. Roots, rocks and tight passes through and around obstructions make for some challenging or frustrating riding - depending on your point of view. Of note: a new trail looks to be finished.It's an extension of Pointer Finger Loop that as my friend Larry put it, "Is one great example of fine trail building!" The trail undualtes around a ridge and eventually took us screaming down several drops and popping quickly back up opposite precarious ridges. It's here where I ate some shit, by missing the trail and riding off the side. It's sketchy and not for everyone, but it certainly isn't boring! A job well done! Now, just get some signage and some trash collectors.
Trail Snapshot
Trail(s): A combined 18 miles of beginner, intermediate and advanced riding.
Difficulty: A little begginer, a little more intermediate and a good deal that's deservidly expert.
Outdoor Travels Rating:
3 bikes out of 5 overall mostly based on the shortness of trails and difficulty navigating the first time. Ridge trails deserve at least a 3.5-4 for excitement.
Thumbs Up
- The Ridge Trails I found were truly difficult, exciting and challenging.
- Local riders are friendly and helpul.
- Like most rides that require a more than average amount of navigation, this ride gets better the more you do it.
Thumbs Down
- Trail system is currently pretty confusing to all but the multiple visit biker.
- Lots of trash strewn about the sides of the road - surprisingly a lot of trash.
- Although trails are not marked for multiple use, I dodged horses, day hikers.
- Not a very "remote" experience - this is a county park with soccer fields and such, which draw a lot of visitors.
Nuts & Bolts
Location: Lakeland, Florida
Directions: From Tampa: I-4 to Polk Parkway, south on Parkway (toll) for 5 miles to SR 37. South on SR 37 5 miles to Carter Road. Trail head is at the end of the road.
From Brandon and south: East on SR 60 to SR 37. North on SR 37 for 2 miles, east on Carter Road for around 1/2 mile, take a right into park. Trail head is at the end of the road.
Activities: Mountain biking, equestrian, fishing
Facilities: Bike wash
Admission: none
Maps and Stuff
from SWAMP Club
Trail Photos
These photos are by Scott Towles
Photos from Stinky Finger and the optional loop before the green mile
Carter Road Video:
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