Join Emerald Coast Cyclists
Emerald Coast Cyclists has a variety of club rides that are scheduled every Saturday.
We ride throughout the panhandle of Florida, from Okaloosa County to the Northern counties.
A detailed ride schedule is posted on our website and on our Facebook page.
The ride schedule provides directions to the starting point as well as route descriptions.
Beginning on the first Saturday in September, we start our Saturday rides at 8:30am and on the first Saturday in June, we start our Saturday rides at 7:30am.
These times are chosen to help those who have busy work and family schedules, those that drive far to join our rides and during the summer, the earlier start helps reduce cycling time in the heat.
Let’s Ride!
You must follow all club rules and all bicycle laws.
Any violations could be grounds for club removal.
PLEASE POST on our Facebook page if you are attending our ride and which group you intend to ride with.
You must be a paid member of Emerald Coast Cyclists ECC, ride the specific date, time and start location posted on Facebook and/or our website calendar to receive benefits such as insurance on club rides.
Independent rides are not covered, and you assume all responsibility per our insurance company guidelines. Yearly dues are only $35 per calendar year, and you can easily join on our membership page located on www.eccyclists.com
To have an enjoyable ride and enhance safety, we encourage you to ride within your ability.
A Group 20 mph Plus average.
B Group 17 mph average with a goal to not drop riders.
C Group 15 mph average which is a wonderful group for new riders and those who just want to have fun.
Reminder: please charge your Bike Lights for OUR Safety.
Have fun and enjoy!
RidewithGPS.com is a website that uses Google Maps to create bike routes and view elevation profiles. For each of our club rides, we try to have a link to our official ECC Route Maps, along with "Alternate" route maps, created using RideWithGPS.com. For each club ride, you may be able to view and print how to get to the ride's starting point, route map, and route cue sheets. You could also export GPS data to your device. Each map may include the parking location at the start point (with photos) and water stops.
Cycling computers can truly help navigating our countryside and are helpful when using software platforms such as www.ridewithgps.com There are numerous brands out there but the cycling computer made by Garmin is popular.
The Blackwater Forest Loop is a beautiful 60 mile (97 km) large loop ride through the Blackwater Forest. There are many 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
The Blackwater Forest Loop is a beautiful 60 mile (97 km) large loop ride through the Blackwater Forest. There are many 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 is no longer an issue). Parking is at Baker High School, 1369 14th Street, Baker, FL 32531. Park in the big lot in the back of the school near the ball fields.
RideWithGPS: Official Club Route (60 miles)
RideWithGPS: Alternate Route 1 (36 miles)
The Britton Hill ride consists 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 Ce
The Britton Hill ride consists 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.
RideWithGPS: Official Club Route (57 miles)
RideWithGPS: Alternate Route 1 (41 miles)
RideWithGPS: Alternate Route 2 (93 miles)
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 more extended 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. However, this route can be shortened simply by turning around on Highway 20 and heading back to the start. Additionally, ten miles can be added by following the alternative way. Parking for this route is behind the Whataburger at 4450 Highway 20, Niceville, FL 32578.
The Freeport-Outpost-Bruce Loop is a 64 mile (102 km) ride. However, this route can be shortened simply by turning around on Highway 20 and heading back to the start. Additionally, ten miles can be added by following the alternative way. Parking for this route is behind the Whataburger at 4450 Highway 20, Niceville, FL 32578.
RideWithGPS: Official Club Route (64 miles)
The Mossy Head/Big Mary's Loop ride is a hilly (for "Flat-Rida") 45 mile (72 km) ride. A more extended option is available. See "Alternative" Routes.
Park in the field behind the basketball court at the Mossy Head Community Center, as shown on the official route map.
RideWithGPS: Official Club Route (45 miles)
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 R
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.
RideWithGPS: Official Club Route (48 miles)
RideWithGPS: Alternate Route 1 (59 miles)
Here at ECC we enjoy celebrating the holidays. We have two annual Holiday Rides. The first one is our Thanksgiving Day Ride and our second is our New Year's Day Ride. See our cycling calendar for start times and locations; however, they usually start on Ranger Camp Road so everyone can enjoy a fun ride and then go enjoy time with family or friends.
Also, we have our annual Christmas Holiday Party which is the first Friday of December. This is a fun gathering which includes our
"Dirty Santa" game with plenty of club announcements such as upcoming board members.
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.
RideWithGPS: Official Club Route (60 miles)
RideWithGPS: Alternate Route 1 (45 miles)
Ranger Camp Road provides areas for both road riding and mountain-gravel riding. The road is out-and-back so that Range Pass holders can ride about 38 miles on a paved surface with almost no traffic. In addition, Timber Lake Bike Trails provides up to 15 miles of primarily single-track trails for mountain-gravel riding. The best directions for this unnamed road called "Ranger Camp Road" is to do a Google Maps search for "Timber Lake Bike Trails". It is off "Lewis Turner Blvd. Hwy 189" in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Look for the sign "6th Ranger Trng Bn AL ARNG Trng Site" and “HURLBURT SKEET RANGE PUBLIC WELCOME”. You'll see the parking lot.
An annual "Range Pass" is required to ride anywhere on
Ranger Camp Road. When you register, look for the “Recreation/Fishing Permit” and make sure you print the permit to keep with you while cycling. Ranger Camp Road Annual Pass.
There are specific landmarks that road riders typically refer to as points of location and turn around spots, 5-mile hill, 8-mile hill
(aka The Dip), 1st stop sign, 10-mile hill, 2nd stop sign, the Tank Farm, and the Water Tower.
For emergencies, there are some call boxes on the road route. Also, if you need water, there is a faucet at the building on the hill of the Tank Farm but not recommended. It is highly recommended that you bring enough water and food with you for the entire ride.
Summers can be extremely hot and humid here so you may want to do your rides in the morning. Also, don’t forget your cell phone and spare tube/tire in case of a flat. Keep these two numbers if you need help from local enforcement (850) 882-2000 and (850) 882-2503.
Enjoy, but be prepared for this rural ride.
Wildlife is abundant on Ranger Camp Road.
Be watchful for spiders and rattlesnakes on the trails.
Bear and boar have been seen within this area as well as other animals.
Parking for both Gravel-Mountain Biking and Road Riding is just off Lewis Turner Blvd. The parking lot is not paved, and you’ll usually see other vehicles parked. Most people are friendly so feel free to ask other cyclists about the area and enjoy your ride.
The Red Bay Loop ride is a 50 mile (80 km) ride. The 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.
RideWithGPS: Official Club Route (50 miles)
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 more extended option. The 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.
RideWithGPS: Official Club Route (60 miles)
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 strings 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.
RideWithGPS: Official Club Route (52 miles)
The Shalimar-Mossy Head ride is a 63 mile (100 km) out-and-back ride to Mossy Head. Park at Rocco's Sub Shop, 1191 Eglin Pkwy, Shalimar, FL 32579.
The South Loop is 46 miles (74 km) to Freeport and return. Parking for this route is behind Whataburger at 4450 Highway 20, Niceville, FL 32578.
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