White Springs Woodpecker Loop
Location: White Springs, FL, United States
This route was created by Jeanne Hargrave for the Suwannee Bicycle Association, which is based in White Springs. She reports that this is a favorite route among serious bicyclists. It is flat and fast with very little traffic, few stop signs and mostly right turns.The route starts and ends in White Springs, which sits along a curve in the Suwannee River. Riders can park near the Ranger Station at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park, which also features a riverfront area with camping, hiking canoeing, a museum and a carillon tower. The route loops around Big Shoals State Park and the Bay Creek Conservation Area, which both surround the Suwannee River. The route crosses the Suwannee River at a scenic bridge on Hamilton County Road 6, and again on U.S. 41 in mile 42.
Riders can stop at the Agricultural Station at mile 21.7 for water or restrooms. Milton's Country Store at the 30.8 mile mark is the only place to stop for food along this route.
30 years ago, Lys Burden, the founder of the Suwannee Bicycle Association, named this route. Historically, Hamilton County Road 135 and U.S. 41 were referred to as the Woodpecker Route.
White Springs is a an attractive small town with is worth a look. Camping is available at Steven Foster Folk Culture Center State Park. The town also has a few nice local restaurants including Fatbelly's and the Bridge Street Cafe.
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.