Suwannee Century

Location: 1302 11th St SW, Live Oak, FL 32064, USA

The 121-mile Suwannee Century consists of three separate loop routes: the Peacock Springs Loop; the Stephen Foster Loop; and the Suwannee River Loop, all of which begin and end at the Suwannee County Agricultural Coliseum in Live Oak. Each route features a state park as a rest stop. The loops can be ridden sequentially or as separate rides. All of the loops begin and end at the Suwannee County Fairgrounds in Live Oak, where parking is available. Live Oak is a full-service community with plenty of restaurants, hotels, and grocery stores.

Due to its rural nature, lack of rideable shoulders, relatively high traffic volumes for rural roads and the absence of bicycle route signage, the Suwannee Century is limited to experienced adult bicyclists. Traffic volumes on the loops may be higher than one might expect for rural areas. Generally, traffic volumes are highest near Live Oak and gradually decline the further one pedals away from the city. Additionally, U.S. Highway 90, State Road 51 and State/County Road 136 will likely have the highest traffic volumes. Fortunately, these segments have rideable shoulders.

Please be sure to pack plenty of water and other supplies, including sunscreen, before heading out on the loops. All are rural in nature with few to no bathrooms, convenience stores or other facilities. Bathrooms are generally limited to the three state parks, which are located at the furthest points from Live Oak. Only the Stephen Foster Loop, which visits the towns of Wellborn and White Springs, has convenience stores and restaurants.

The Suwannee Century begins with the 37-mile Peacock Springs Loop, which highlights Wes Skiles Peacock Springs State Park (https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Peacock-Springs) (entry fee). The park features two prominent springs which are excellent places to cool off. Restrooms (port-a-potty) and picnic tables are available at the park. Please be aware that the roads within the park are not suitable for road bikes. The park roads are bumpy dirt roads with numerous potholes. Plan for a 15 - 20 minute walk from the park entrance to reach the springs.

When leaving the Coliseum for either the Stephen Foster or the Suwannee River loop, the Ride with GPS app may initially route you on the Peacock Springs Loop, as it is the first of the three loops leaving from the trailhead. In this case, carefully check your map, disregard the initial directions from the app and continue on what you know to be the route for the other two loops. The app will eventually recognize that you are riding either the Stephen Foster Loop or the Suwannee River Loop and will route you accordingly.

The 46-mile Stephen Foster Loop constitutes the second and the longest loop of the Suwannee Century. Wellborn is located approximately 15 miles east of Live Oak and is known for its annual Blueberry Festival held in early June. Upon reaching Wellborn, riders can continue approximately one mile past Wellborn to U.S. Highway 90, where there is a convenience store. The destination of the loop, Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park (https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Stephen-Foster) (entry fee) and the town of White Springs, which has convenience stores and restaurants. White Springs is also the home of the Suwannee Bicycle Association (http://www.suwanneebike.org).

The 37-mile Suwannee River Loop is the last loop of the Suwannee Century. It features the Suwannee River State Park (https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Suwannee-River) (entry fee), which, as its name suggests, is located on the Suwannee River. The park has camping, water, picnic tables and bathrooms. This loop likely has the most hazardous road segment of the Suwannee Century. Stagecoach Road is frequently used by logging trucks. Riders may wish to consider returning from the State Park to Live Oak via U.S. Highway 90 with its rideable shoulder and painted bicycle lane, thereby avoiding Stagecoach Road.

The Original Florida Tourism Task Force (dba Visit Natural North Florida) and the North Central Florida Regional Planning Council do not warrant the safety of the routes on this map for use by bicyclists. Bicyclists should use these routes only if they have the adequate skill level as bicyclists, and bicyclists must make that determination. All the roads shown are used by automobiles and trucks, and bicyclists assume the risks for their own safety when using the roads and/or routes indicated on this map. The Original Florida Tourism Task Force, the local governments in which these bicycle routes are located and the North Central Florida Regional Planning Council are not responsible for any damages whatsoever from its use.