Road Biking
Crossings Trail / Rinehart Road
Lake Mary / Orlando, Florida
Busy intersections, lots of shopping malls - a bike commuter's dream on the verge of something bigger.
by Dana Farnsworth, Outdoor Travels
As most of us were taught at a young age, picking on a smaller kid isn’t nice. Being bellicose towards the weak rarely pays off in the long run. It’s a real life roll of the dice, as often the once-runt kids receive a monstrous hormonal growth spurt and eventually return to kick the butt’s of those whom terrorized them.
I’m sure you may be wondering what in the world this has to do with riding a paved trail in Orlando? The Crossings Trail is the smaller kid that’s easy to pick on. Currently it begins at a connection to the Seminole - Wekiva Trail via a pedestrian bridge over I-4 at Heathrow and ends four miles south in a residential neighborhood at Greenway Boulevard. Often interrupted by intersections and visually tainted by busy highways and strip malls its four miles seem more valuable for commuters and less valuable for those seeking recreation. My decision to ride this trail was based on adding eight more miles to our Seminole – Wekiva Trail ride.
Just like I was taught as a child, I won’t pick on the seemingly weak. Like a runt puppy with enormous paws that hint of bigger things to come, this trail has all the telltale signs of big future growth. From the monolithic I-4 over pass bridge connecting the Seminole – Wekiva Trail to the very nice full facility trail access at Lake Mary, there is little visual doubt as to the commitment of further development.
The Crossings Trail is one of two existing four-mile non-connecting sections that will eventually be united with 20 additional miles running predominately north from Oviedo to form a large portion of the completed Cross – Seminole Trail. The southern four miles (referred to as the Cross-Seminole Trail) run from Oviedo northwesterly to near Winter Springs. Planned sections south of Oviedo will connect to the Cady Way and Little Econ Trails, eventually creating a continuous trail over 30 miles in length! Further, once completed, the section of the Cross Seminole Trail from downtown Oviedo to the I-4 pedestrian bridge in Lake Mary will be a part of the Florida National Scenic Trail – a 1300-mile trail running from the panhandle to the Everglades.
For now, the ride doesn’t distinguish itself as a recreational opportunity - it’s much more enjoyable as an option/addition to the Seminole – Wekiva Trail. That’s just for now though. All too soon, when its north and south sections are connected – in effect when this trail “grows up”, I fear that even though I’m not picking on it during its infancy, completing a round trip ride on the fully developed 30-mile long version may just kick my butt anyway.
Trail Snapshot
Trail: The existing Rinehart Road / Crossings Trail is approximately 4 miles long (if I-4 overpass is included), paved surface. 34 miles total are planned.
Difficulty: Easy/Novice
Outdoor Travels Rating: 2 bikes out of 5 for a short distance. Enjoyable more as additional miles to a Seminole - Wekiva Trail Ride than a stand-alone experience. Once all miles are completed, I'm sure this trail would rate MUCH higher.
Thumbs Up
- Riding over nine lanes of I-4 traffic is pretty cool
- Lots of places to eat or stop for refreshments
- Wonderful trail for bike commuters (lots of access to stores)
- Lake Mary trail head is very nice
- Fitness trail constructed along the trail is very nice
- Landscaping and obvious commitment to this trail is nice as well
Thumbs Down
- Not a great "recreational ride"
- Lots of interuption from intersections
- Not a "long ride" experience - yet...
- Scenery is predominately that of a Rinehart Road and shopping centers
Nuts & Bolts
Access/Directions: Parking for the trail is available at the intersection of Rinehart Road and Lake Mary Boulevard at the large Lake Mary sign and fountain. From Orlando, take I-4 East to Lake Mary Boulevard Exit 50 (new Exit 98). Turn right on Lake Mary Boulevard and travel past Rinehart Road. After passing Rinehart Road, turn left at the first driveway after the Lake Mary sign.
- Facilities: Full facilities, including parking and restrooms at the Lake Mary trail head. There are several convenience stores, grocery stores and restaurants near this trail head. The trail also features a top-notch fitness trail.
Activities: Biking, skating, running, walking
Admission: No admission
County: Seminole
Nearby Towns: Lake Mary, Orlando
Future: The Crossings Trail (north part of the Cross Seminole Trail) connects with the Seminole Wekiva Trail via the I-4 Pedestrian Bridge in Lake Mary. Upon completion, there will be a 34-mile continuous trail connecting Altamonte Springs, Longwood, Lake Mary, Winter Springs, and Oviedo and with the Cady Way Trail and the Orange County Trails System.
Contact: Seminole County Public Works, Trails Maintenance (407) 869-5966
Maps and Stuff
Trail Photos
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