Alston/ Upper Hillsborough WMA/ Crystal Springs

Meet at 42144 Deems Rd., Zephyrhills. May 4th 8:00 a.m. Main trailhead for Alston Tract. Join the club on this mixed surfaces ride. Options for 20 or 34 miles. Gravel bikes or MTBs…. It will be hard to decide which bike is best for this ride. The first portion (Alston & Upper Hillsborough) are more ATB friendly (100% unpaved and rugged in sections). The latter portion (Crystal Springs rural roads) is more gravel bike friendly. Is there a perfect bike for this ride? Let’s see what everyone shows up with and then decide. The ride will be moderate pace with stops. Since we’re using Alston as a central trailhead, riders can decide on completing one or both segments. We’ll be passing the Alston trailhead again after the first 20 mi section then depart again in a different direction to complete the full 34 mi route.

I’ve been exploring these properties since the late 1990s around the same time the Alston Family transferred their appx 3,000 acres to SWFWMD which expanded the size of the Hillsborough River Greenway since that merged the property with Upper Hillsborough WMA adjoining to the north. The first part of the route will consist of dirt roads, double-track, smaller forest trails, and will cross the upper Hillsborough River twice - once via a small footbridge, and the 2nd time via a gravel trail near the railroad. The second part of the route will lead through backroads into the town of Crystal Springs (appx 80% unpaved hardpack dirt, and 20% pavement). Not much sand on the route but there could be some mud depending on conditions leading up to the ride date. We’ll make short stops at the Crystal Springs Rd. Hillsborough River bridge and the abandoned historic roller rink. For safety, bring a tail flasher for use on Crystal Springs roadways. Bring plenty of hydration, snacks/ lunch, sun screen, bug spray, tools, tubes and/or tubeless repair kit. Ride guide Rob DeGraaf is a Senior Environmental Scientist and past Author of Fat Tire Favorites, Guide to West-Central Florida and South Florida Off-Road Bicycling books (1995 – 2006), and a past director of the Florida Off-Road Bicycling Association (FORBA). Please post any questions under this ride Event or send me a DM.

You may also like the following events from SWAMP Mountain Bike Club Inc:

• Next Saturday, 3rd May, 08:00 am, CHATTANOOGA 2025 in Ooltewah
• Next Saturday, 3rd May, 09:30 am, SWAMP Sisters 🐊💕 Balm Boyette- Women’s Group Ride (Intermediate/Beginners) in Balm
• Next month, 17th May, 08:30 am, Lake Apopka Mixed Surfaces Ride in Oakland

Also check out other Trips & Adventurous Activities in Crystal Springs, Arts events in Crystal Springs, Literary Art events in Crystal Springs.