Emerald Coast
Cyclists has a variety of club rides that are scheduled every Saturday. We ride
all over the panhandle of Florida, from Okaloosa County to the Northern
counties. A detailed ride schedule for the current quarter is included in each PACELINE Newsletter. The ride schedule includes directions to the starting point, as well as route descriptions.
RideWithGPS.com
RidewithGPS.com is a website that
uses Google Maps to create bike routes and view elevation profiles. For each of our club rides, we have included a link to our official ECC Route Maps, along with "Alternate" route maps, created using RideWithGPS.com. For each club ride you will be able to view and print how to get
to the ride's starting point, a map of the route and route cue sheets. You can also export GPS data to your device. Each map includes the parking location at the start point (with photos) and water stops.
Signing up for an account with RideWithGPS is optional, however a "STARTER" account is free and we are currently working with them to offer ECC'ers a discount should members opt to upgrade their accounts to BASIC or PREMIUM. If you do not wish to open an account that's okay. You will still be able to view and print maps and cue sheets, and export GPS data.
ECC Routes
Blackwater Forest
Loop
The Blackwater Forest Loop is a
beautiful 60 mile (97 km) large loop ride through the Blackwater Forest. There are a lot of hills on
this ride with scenic views primarily on the last half as you head toward Holt
on the back roads. Longer and shorter options are available. See "Alternative" route maps. (note: the bridge has been repaired and no longer an issue). Parking is at Baker High School, 1369 14th Street, Baker, FL 32531. Park in the big lot in back of the school near the ball fields.
The Britton Hill ride consists of a combination of rolling hills and flat terrain that includes a stop at Britton Hill, the highest point in Florida. The distance is 57 miles (92 km). As with many ECC routes, there are several ride options for this ride (see "Alternative" routes).
Park in the field behind the basketball court at the Mossy Head Community Center as shown on the official route map and photos.
The Freeport North and South Loops route is a 59 mile (96 km)
ride. Knock off either one of these loops for a shorter option, or do them twice for a longer option. Note, this route passes through the Eglin Range so a Range Pass is required. Parking for this route is behind Whataburger at 4450 Highway 20, Niceville, FL 32578.
The Freeport-Outpost-Bruce Loop is a 64 mile (102 km) ride. This route can be shortened simply by turning around at any point on Highway 20 and heading back to the start. Ten miles can be added by following the Alternative route. Parking for this route is behind the Whataburger at 4450 Highway 20, Niceville, FL 32578.
The Mossy Head/Ponce De Leon route is a 48 mile (77 km) out-and-back ride that heads east on Highway 90 to Ponce de Leon and back. Longer options are available. See "Alternative" maps. For shorter options, simply turn around on Highway 90 and head back to the start. Note, some of the "Alternate" routes pass through the Eglin Range so a Range Pass is required.
The New Year's Day Ride will
start and finish in Niceville.
The purpose of the ride is to have everyone finish
at about the same time so that they can enjoy a bit of hospitality at the end of
their ride. Participants are asked to bring a covered dish, salad, desert or
whatever to share. If you bring a hot dish it can be heated up at the house
while you're riding. The club will provide soft drinks.
The first ride will start at 8:00 am and is usually around 60
miles (96.5 km). The route is often decided upon at the start. The second ride will start at 9:00 am and is usually around 36
miles (58 km). A run up to Mossy Head and back via Highway 285 is generally the consensus. The third option will be a 25 minute spin through Rocky Bayou
that will start at 11:00 am. There is a strong likelihood that you will overindulge in all
the food and pack back on all the calories you just burned
off!
Look for more information in the club newsletter. Note, the route chosen may pass through the Eglin Range so a Range Pass will be required.
North County Loop
The North County Ride is a 60 mile (96.5 km) loop and is about as hilly as it gets in Northwestern Florida! See "Alternate" route maps for longer and shorter options.
Park at Crestview YMCA, 298 Wilson St N, Crestview, FL 32536.
Ranger Camp Road provides areas for both road riding and mountain biking. The road is out-and-back, so Range Pass holders can ride up to 38 miles (61 km) on a smooth, paved surface with almost no traffic.
Timberlake Trails provides up to a 15 miles distance of mostly single-track trails for mountain
biking.
An annual
"Range Pass" is required to ride anywhere on Ranger Camp Road. See the PACELINE Newsletter for details about getting a
pass or look on the left-hand side of this webpage for the heading "Range Pass".
There are specific landmarks that
road riders typically refer to as points of location and turning around spots, 5-mile
hill, 8-mile hill (aka The Dip), 1st stop sign, 10-mile hill, 2nd stop sign, Tank Farm and the
Water Tower.
For emergencies there are several call boxes on the road route. See the link below for
specific locations. Also, if you are in need of water, there is a faucet at the
building on the hill of the Tank
Farm, however it is highly recommended that you bring enough water with you for the entire ride.
Wildlife is abundant on Ranger Camp Road. Be watchful for spiders
on the trails and rattlesnakes on the road, among a variety of other 4-legged
friends.
Parking for both Mountain Biking and Road Riding is just off Lewis Turner Blvd. See RideWithGPS map.
The Red Bay Loop ride is a 50 mile (80 km) ride. Meeting location is at the Regional Sports Complex in Hammock Bay. Drive 1.5 miles South from Hwy 20 on Great Hammock Bend, make a left turn to Victory Blvd, drive about a half mile then park on the left near the baseball fields. Hammock Bay, 74 Great Hammock Bend, Freeport, FL 32439.
The Red Bay-Knox Hill route is a 60 mile (98) km ride to Knox Hill and back. Knox Hill is one of ECC's only "Categorized" climbs. Listed as a "Cat 5" climb, the stronger riders can usually manage it in the big ring. See the "Alternative" Route for a longer option. Meeting location is at the Regional Sports Complex in Hammock Bay. Drive 1.5 miles South from Hwy 20 on Great Hammock Bend, make a left turn to Victory Blvd, drive about a half mile then park on the left near the baseball fields. Hammock Bay, 74 Great Hammock Bend, Freeport, FL 32439.
The Ruckel/Bob Sikes Loop is a hilly 52 miles (84 km) ride to Defuniak Springs, Florida and back. This route contains one of the best string of rollers in the area. See the "Alternative" Route for a longer option. Note, this route passes through the Eglin Range so a Range Pass is required. Caution: Bob Sikes road is rough pavement, with lots of holes. Parking is at Ruckel Middle School, 201 Partin Drive, Niceville, FL 32578.
