Concierge Guide to Northeast Florida Bike Trails and Cycling Routes

A1A Coastal Route – Mayport to New Smyrna Beach (110 mi full)

This A1A coastal Route operates from the Mayport Ferry down to New Smyrna Beach front. There is some route discovering included, specifically from Mayport to Atlantic Seashore, by means of St. Augustine, and from Ormand Beach to New Smyrna Seashore. Of all the rides in this tutorial, this just one will have to have the most rider experience and judgement. We have damaged it up sections to make it easier to digest and integrated shots alongside the route.

I begun with the concluded sections of the St. Johns River to Sea Loop and filled in with MapMyRide and Google Maps recommendations. It is challenging, so I bundled my MyMyRide route as a start off, but I propose you double-verify the River2SeaLoop Exactly where To Experience Now page for updates ahead of environment out and employing your very best judgment when riding here.

The Sections for the A1A Coastal Route are:

• Mayport to St Augustine (38.1 mi)
  • Mayport to Ponte Vedra (11.2 mi)
  • Ponte Vedra Blvd (7.1 mi)
  • Mickler’s Landing to St Augustine (20.1 mi)
• St Augustine to East Central Rail Path / Edgewater (69.8 mi)
  • St Augustine to North Peninsula Condition Park (37.3 mi)
  • North Peninsula Condition Park to East Central Rail Trail (32.5 mi)

Mayport to St Augustine (38.1 mi)

Mayport to Ponte Vedra (11.2 mi): We’ll commence on the north stop of the Mayport to New Smyrna Seaside route. The Mayport Ferry operates just about every 1/2 hour, which incorporates transit and unloading times, so never get much too hung up over arranging the passage. (note: The Mayport Ferry once in a while closes for servicing through the wintertime.  Verify the Jacksonville Transit Site for existing position. The substitute route is perilous -105 to Dames Stage Bridge (I-295) to Route 116. Severely take into account utilizing a vehicle shuttle until eventually the ferry is operational yet again.)  

The bicycle lanes are pretty great heading out of Mayport, and there are even some water sights of the St Johns as you switch the corner at Sherman Level. For the future mile or so, until eventually the junction with 116, you may well not even have a vehicle guiding you if you wait around for the pulse of targeted traffic to go away from the ferry, but then matters get started to get furry.

Immediately after 116 bike lanes get often repurposed for switch lanes, and by the time A1A joins up with Mayport Road, they’re all absent, and you will be riding on the sidewalk for about a mile. Concerning the Navy assets and gated communities, the first likelihood to strike out on a neighborhood bypass is Maritime Oak Generate. This wiggly route can take you to Ocean Blvd/ 1st St, which is fairly nice driving with a seaside city vibe but no authentic sights. Make your way down Initial / Duval till you get to Ponte Vedra Blvd.

Ponte Vedra Blvd (7.1 mi): While there are not bike lanes below, riding on gradual / low-visitors roadways by means of an ‘Old Money’ portion of Florida is genuinely pleasurable. The homes and gardens on the southern conclusion are particularly wonderful.

It is great to slice via Mickler’s Landing northbound and most likely southbound as nicely. While, depending on visitors, you could want to make the most of the light-weight at Ponte Vedra / A1A to cross the street.

Mickler’s Landing to St Augustine (20.1 mi): This is most likely the solitary most enjoyable phase of the complete journey. There are bicycle lanes all over, negligible cross site visitors, and lovely dunes through the Guana Tolomato Matanzas Preserve.

The elevated Francis and Mary Usina Bridge from Vilano Beach also provides you remarkable views of St Augustine and the harbor. Be absolutely sure to look at out the Historic District rides for alternate scenic routes via the metropolis or stops together the way.