Hi there! It’s Westly with Healthy West Orange, back at it with more healthy tips, resources, and encouragement. The month of May can be a busy one. Celebrating graduations, kicking off summer break, and honoring all the awesome mother figures out there. But did you know that it’s also National Bike Month? Here in West Orange, there are a TON of places to bike and local resources to help you put the pedal to the metal.
You know what they say, safety first! Before you hit the bike trail, grab your helmet, fill up those tires, and keep the chain lubricated. Unsure if your bike is safe to ride? Take it over to Winter Garden Wheel Works on Plant Street for a free bike safety check during the month of May! Don’t have a bike? No problem! You can rent them by the hour at the West Orange Trail Winter Garden Station.
Now that we’ve got safety taken care of, let’s rock and roll! There are so many places to ride in our community, let’s talk about a few of my favorites. Of course, there’s the West Orange Trail; 22 miles of paved trail from the Orange/Lake County line all the way to Apopka. With many parts of the trail being shaded, it’s a great place to stay cool in the Florida heat! If you’re looking for a wilderness bike adventure, you’ve got to check out the Lake Apopka Loop Trail. With a 34-mile round trip along the north shore of Lake Apopka, you’ll spot birds, gators, and beautiful views. I also love biking in the villages of Horizon West! It’s so easy to ride to school, work, and the grocery store. You’ll save on fuel money AND get your workout in at the same time!
Looking for an encouraging group to ride with? The West Orange Sole-Mates is a local walking, running, and biking group who meet right here in Winter Garden! They welcome folks of all levels to get active together each day. Check out their Facebook and Instagram to get involved! Women of Westside is another awesome biking group, that gets together for cycling all over the Orlando area. May is also Women’s Health Month, and ladies - what better way to prioritize your health than working out with strong women? Don’t forget that our Healthy West Orange 5K events every January and September can be completed by biking 3.1 miles!
I can just picture it now: my stick figure self, rolling along on my bike, with the wind blowing through my nonexistent hair! Head to HealthyWestOrange.org for more bike tips, places to ride, and health and wellness resources available all year round. We’re here to cheer you on in your healthy journey!
See ya around!
- Westly
