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reviewed by Oldcog on January 13, 2012
This is a nice little park. a lot of work went into it. I rode the Rollercoaster loop and the Gatorback, as well as some of the beginner and intermediate trails. Although very enjoyable, with technical challenges, it does not seem epic. It's worth the drive from Tampa, or if you're heading back north from the gulf coast. Not sure I would make the drive from Orlando, with Santos nearby.
The good: Lots of trails. Various difficulty levels. Good use of topography for those who like quick ups and downs. It's nice to have a place to wash the bike.
The less good: If you like long, flowing lines so that you can build up speed, this isn't the place. Nothing I rode seemed that difficult, although I didn't ride Moonscape. If they made the lines just a little longer on the intermediate rides, it would be possible to really fly along.
I'm calling it a good after-work ride because it reminds me of the trail out my back door in Medina, Ohio. I can't understand why anyone who has ridden truly epic rides would call this epic -- but it is certainly good, especially since it's tucked into Florida flat lands.
I just noticed that this somehow got rated as number 9 in the US. That's a complete joke. I've been riding all around the US, and I live in Ohio. This is a nice little place, but it wouldn't even be number 9 in Ohio (and there is only one in Ohio that should be in the top 50). DO NOT drive hundreds of miles to come here.
Thanks to the people who made it!
* Review edited 1/13/2012Similar Trail: Santos
















reviewed by kpienaar on August 29, 2011
This park has something for everyone, from multi-use trails, no helmit required, beginner, intermediate, advanced and suicidal. Moonscape and Gator back are suicidal and should only be attempted by serious experienced riders with bikes up for the challenge. I skipped Gatorback after talking to locals, moonscape is incredible, but incredibly difficult climbs and drops, I had to walk a lot of them. Roller Coaster is incredible fun, with enough to challenge even the most seasoned riders, I busted my dirt2 front shock on one of the downhills ! Bridges is also incredible with huge up and downs but nothing too crazy. Both rollercoaster and bridges are for the most part fast and flowy with some serious drops and climbs, but nothing I couldn't handle. For sheer fun, Northcreek can't be beat, it reminded me of the Tsali trails in North Carolina, if someone dropped you there, you wouldn't know you are in Florida, well except for the heat and humidity. On the 2nd day, I got stung by bumblebees, my hand is swollen twice its normal size, got heat exhaustion with vomiting and diarea. If you visit this park in the summer months be warned, the heat and humidity is extreme, even my expensive cycling jersey couldn't wick away the sweat.
* Review edited 8/29/2011Similar Trail: Oleta River State Park (rollercoaster, bridges), Markham Park (Moonscape, Gatorback), Tsali (North Creek)








reviewed by delphinide on June 11, 2011
The last time I rode this trail I broke my finger, but I was having so much fun I kept on riding for two hours! This is some of the most technical and well planned trails south of the Mason Dixon. There is something for everyone here, but the advanced trails are the crown jewel, particularly Moonscape, Roller Coaster, and Gatorback (which I have seen a gator ON the trail, fyi). It is quite a hike for me to drive to Alafia, but everytime I go I ride the same trails for hours and hours...it never gets tiring, and there are all these little loops, rocks, roots, etc.. that are fun WIPs (works in progress, i.e. you don't get them right the first time) that challenge even the most seasoned riders. This trail is one of a kind, a true IMBA epic trail. Some have complained that it is not 'as good' as some trails in Colorado or Moab...but I bet you can't ride those in February in shorts and run into a gator rubbing up against a palm...then go to the beach after 35 miles of riding??? I'm just sayin'....if you are EVER in the Tampa/Brandon area, DON'T miss your chance to ride this trail as well as Boyette (across the street). AJ's rents bikes, as do several shops in Tampa.











reviewed by guest on August 14, 2008
This IMBA MTB trail network rocks! Definately a very epic ride here, no matter which trail you ride. I go here at least four times or better a year, and would every weekend but I live over on the East Coast. Awesome drops, ups & downs, jumps, down hill, bridges, and a lot of speed. Pretty much by all means something for everyone! I love it here and my favorite trails are "Rabbit Ears", "North Creek", and "Rollercoaster". The last couple times I was there, "Gatorback" was closed.
Similar Trail: Too many to post, but Alafia & Santos is the bomb! If in Palm Bay, FL, try the Shoreline "Fruit Tree Trail",


TRAIL TAGS
bridges
sandy
imba epic
Goodyy
alafia
singletracks
rooty
brandon
alafia river state park mountain (tampa)
trees