Unfortunately the toe is CLOSED permanently
Mountain Biking
T.O.E - Trail of Experience Review
Near Lakeland, Florida
A member's only, flowing advanced single track circuit, with areas for dirt jumping and freeriding to boot!
by Dana Farnsworth, Outdoor Travels
Seeing is believing and sometimes you just got to see things for yourself - especially when there is a lot of good buzz about something you haven't experienced. Such was my case with The Trail of Experience, or The TOE as it's more commonly referred to. Until recently, I had never made it to The TOE. It’s a member only course built and maintained by The Ridge Riders, a local biking club. Since I’m not currently a member (I plan to be soon), I have only imagined what riding there would be like. I’ve been tempted and teased by epic tales of great technical and challenging single track. My vivid imagination concocted all sorts of wild mountain biking imagery. I imagined Ned Overend biting it on a super technical descent and Wade Simmons flying through the air and busting himself. I saw myself squinting and bracing for an impact as I crossed a precarious log bridge and then entered a screaming fast rooted and rocky descent.
Bill, a friend of mine, and I might add, a member of the Ridge Riders called me and invited me to come check out The TOE. I didn’t need to be asked again. I was going to see this trail of legend for myself. On the eve of riding one of my other friends relayed a story of his recent crash at The TOE, which had him, “writhing in pain for 20 minutes”. His story made me a bit apprehensive. Was this trail really that bad and that full on? My mind certainly was building a vision of insurmountable proportions. I needed to know more! A quick internet search found personal reviews of the TOE. I read quotes like, “The reason we didn't finish them (the trails) is cause my friend had to take a trip to the hospital.” I found myself focusing on all the stories of doom and injury and not digesting the constructive and objective descriptions of the trail system.
As what is often true, the pictures in my mind were way over dramatized. After a good day of riding The TOE’s 7+ miles a couple of times, I can attest to the following:
1. I am obviously still alive and only have a bruise or two.
2. Although I was relatively mishap free, I did witness several good wrecks, (like Bill flying off a small bridge and landing like a sack of concrete), and heard of another accident that day that resulted in a trip to the hospital – so maybe I was just lucky.
3. The trails ARE technical, but not the gargantuan monster technical trails I had in my mind’s eye.
The TOE is made up of six loop trails strung together by a common trail. Although most people ride the trail system in one direction, you can ride some portions “backwards” for an extra thrill. The major difference I find when compared to some of the really technical trails I’ve experienced is that The TOE’s trails just keep coming at you. Created for experienced riders, the trail’s designers apparently saw little reason to build any sections of considerable length that were not technical. What little beginner or intermediate trail there is amounts to short stretches or spots within a more difficult trail. The overall personality of the trail system can best be described as one nice small hill after another, followed by a climb, precarious ridge, nicely cambered turn into a small drop and repeat again and again.
There is no signature giant and obstructed descent or drop-in and no trail of obvious insurmountable proportions, so difficult only the few upper echelon advanced riders can ride it dab free and live to tell. But that’s okay, because the TOE is different; it acts different, perhaps unlike any other trail I’ve been on before. The TOE doesn’t need to overcompensate with huge dramatics and flash. It makes its own distinctive mark among the best trails in the state. If The TOE has a signature feature, most notable would be the two or three very tough short climbs. They proved to be quite challenging, especially for this rider (I climb like a pig on a Crisco hill).
and then there's "Insaneland"
Hold on one second, that’s not all The TOE has to offer bikers. The TOE also has a freeride area known as "Stuntland" and a dirt jump area known as "Jumpland" offering the mountain bikers who don’t like their tires on terra firma a variety of extreme challenges.
I’m not into the freeriding or jumping scene. I would like to use the excuse, I’m too old, too wise or some other non-reason as to why I don’t freeride, but the bottom line is that it terrifies me. The stunts and jumps at the TOE are incredibly insane. Most notable are drops like “Frankenstein” which is around 15’ or more in the air. “The Men’s Room” and shorter drop “Ladies Room” are also quite challenging big drops from plank bridges high in the trees. I have a fear of falling and can attest that I was a bit frightened just walking around on Stuntland's plank system high in the trees.
There is great support and a host of greatly skilled freeriders who enthusiastically call The TOE, perhaps the best freeriding in Florida. Although I rode but one simple jump (which scared the crap out of me), I believe that claim to be most appropriate.
From big gap dirt jumps, insane catwalks in the trees to tight flowing technical single track, the designers at Ridge Riders have created an experienced bikers dream that will most certainly keep one on their “toes”. Hey! Perhaps I just discovered a good secondary meaning for the name, hmmmm…..
Trail snapshot
Trail(s): A combined 7+ miles of advanced intermediate - advanced single track through mostly shaded woods. This does not include Jumpland or Stuntland.
Difficulty: Ranging from confident/advanced intermediate to advanced. What little trail is beginner's level is surrounded by tough stuff.
Outdoor Travels Rating:
4 bikes out of 5
Excellent trails for good bikers.
Thumbs up
- Certainly among the better places for advance level bikers in Florida.
- Well maintained and thought out trail system for the very good intermediate to advanced level rider.
- Trails have good flow, often feeling like one long trail.
- Tough technical climbs are rare in Florida. Although not exceptionally long, there are several really tough climbs at The TOE.
- Stuntland and Jumpland offer high quality, well built stunts and jumps for those more comfortable with their tires off the ground.
Thumbs down
- Currently there are 7.5 miles of trail. Call me greedy, but the trails are so nice, more miles could only make it better.
- No facilities. This isn't a huge deal, but it is nice to have a restroom, and bike wash.
- Nothing to ride for your riding partner or friends who are below confident/intermediate skilled.
- Navigation is difficult the first few times unless you have someone knowledgeable of the lay of the trails with you. Signage isn't bad, but isn't great either.
Nuts & Bolts
Special Note: You must be a member of the Ridge Riders in order to ride the T.O.E. Trespassers will be prosecuted. For a small anual fee, it's certainly worth it. The T.O.E is located on private property so please abide by the rules. There is a locked gate at the entrance of the T.O.E. When you join the Ridge Riders, you will receive a membership package with the gate combination. DO NOT expect to show up at the gate to sign up. Membership forms can be found at www.ridgeriders.net.
Location: Between Plant City and Lakeland, Florida
Directions: Take I-4 to the Polk Parkway; get off at Exit 4 (Waring/Dranefield Exit); go one block south to Dranefield Rd; turn left (east) on Dranefield; go approx 1 mile to Marathon convenience store; turn right onto Pipkin Rd; gate will be directly on your left, follow road to gate on right hand side; take this double track to the parking area.
From the south, take hwy 60 to hwy 98 in Bartow. Head north on 98 to the Polk Parkway; then west to Exit 4.
Facilities: None (there is a convenience store at across the street from the entry gate)
Activities: Mountain biking, dirt jumping and freeriding
Admission: Annual Ridge Riders membership fee
Contact: Ridge Riders Mountain Bike Association - Kent Hickman @ 863-619-5001.
Maps & Stuff
From the Ridge Riders
Lots of great photos to give you a good idea of what riding here is like!
T.O.E Video
