Manatee Habitat - Biking to Three Sisters Springs, Crystal River, FL (iPhone 14 Cinematic)

[@stevecswercko]

Thanks for all the info.

[@Paul_Paula]

You are welcome, thanks for watching it is a beautiful area.

[@FollowThomas]

Nice bike trail. I was planning to ride there too. Looks really nice there. 👍

[@Paul_Paula]

Thanks Thomas, we hope you survived Hurricane Ian okay at your home. The Crystal River area is a really nice community to ride in. Lots of hidden treasures to explore in and around it’s beautiful waters.

[@FollowThomas]

@@Paul_Paula Ian passed Jacksonville offshore, we are fine. Thanks

[@Paul_Paula]

We did this bike ride about a week or so after Hurricane Ian went through, this part of our state was spared. Three Sisters Springs, Crystal River, Florida Biking Trails We parked at a free municipal parking lot on NE 5th St. right near the old town business district. This parking lot is only 100 yards from the “Cross Town Bike Trail” (also known as the “Three Sisters Springs Trail). “Crystal River is best known for paddling, manatee viewing, diving and snorkeling at the springs and along the Crystal River and Kings Bay. We are happy to see the city's growing network of paved, off-street bike trails and paths. We enjoyed biking around town, visiting some of its parks, springs, historic areas and lunch at Norton’s Riverside Bar and Grill. (16 NE 5th Street, Crystal River, Florida) with Inside and Outside seating. About 75 miles North of Tampa Located in Citrus County (West Coast of Florida) We biked: 2 miles on the Crosstown Trail Plus 4 more miles on the Riverwalk and in-town biking. Surface: Blacktop, Concrete and pavers Official Trailhead is located on NE Crystal St. (across from Crystal River Old pTrain Station) Nearby points of interest: Three Sisters Springs, Hunter Springs, Kings Bay, Crystal River Preserve State Park, Crystal River Archaeological State Park, Yulee Sugar Mills Ruins Historic State Park, Fort Island Beach and Pier, Coastal Heritage Museum, Pete’s Marina Two main bike trail systems are growing, creating links throughout the Town of Crystal River. The Crosstown Trail runs north-south about 2 miles on an old railway line. The Kings Bay Riverwalk is about 4 miles, some sections are complete and others under construction or planned. it will connect Kings Bay Park to downtown and the waterfront restaurants. 1. Crosstown Trail (north to south)- Historic Train Depot to Three Sisters Springs 2. Kings Bay Riverwalk- East Section- West Section 3. Old Downtown Crystal River Crosstown Trail, North to South Crystal River's Crosstown Trail is built on a converted Seaboard Coast Line railroad bed, running north-south about 2 miles from NE 11th St. to W. Fort Island Trail (SR 44). A trailhead is located near the north end, across from the Historic Crystal River Train Depot (built 1901). From start to the Depot it runs roadside, then enters a shaded corridor interrupted by the major road crossing at US 19/98 (do NOT cross here, go a block east to the traffic signal). At NE 3rd St., it leaves the corridor and continue roadside along Three Sisters Springs Trail - and at the Springs (more below), along a canal - coming to an end at W. Fort Island Trail. This is an easy ride with some shade. Fitness stations and benches are provided along the way. No other trailside facilities, but you're never far from restaurants, shops, and hotels. Old Downtown Crystal River We also biked (and walked) around the old Downtown area (N. Citrus Ave.) and its historic buildings, many from the1920's. The old City Hall (1939, a Works Progress Administration [WPA] project listed on the National Register of Historic Places), now houses the Coastal Heritage Museum. A couple blocks over is the old "Michigan Town" neighborhood (settled by Michigan snowbirds in the 1920's) with bike-friendly streets and sidewalks. We loved riding on these neighborhood streets with beautiful landscaped homes. Many paddling outfitters in the area, too. Kings Bay Park Parking (fee), restrooms, picnic/grills, playground, fishing dock, kayak launch, boardwalk. Commercial vendors' kayak/paddlecraft launch location. Along the Kings Bay Riverwalk Hunter Springs Park Parking (fee), restrooms, picnic/grills, playground, beach, kayak/paddleboard launch, boardwalk. The springs (5 vents) are about 100 feet from the shoreline. Swim with manatees (but do not touch). Three Sisters Springs Part of the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, with wildlife and manatee viewing, snorkeling, swimming, hiking, bicycling. Boardwalk. No automobile parking on-site, access is by trolley shuttle, on foot, or bicycle. There's no access to the spring within the refuge (even for swimming), only by water from Kings Bay. Local operators offer rentals, manatee tours. Kayaking/swimming at the springs is restricted during manatee season (Nov.-May).” Shown in this video: We purchased our e-bikes from Lectric, they ship them free and fully assembled right to your door. (Model XP 2.0 ST) The quality of the bikes is outstanding, they are very reliable and have excellent engineering. We love how they fold, two of them easily fit in our SUV for transporting to the bike trails. We am able to travel up to 35 miles on the new 14 amp extended range battery using the throttle only and 45 miles peddling with partial electric motor assist. Video was filmed with a new iPhone 14 Pro Max in the Cinematic mode.

[@alexapacheco1434]

Hi Paul and Paula, love your videos on your bike rides. We are going to be in Crystal River area and wanted to do a bike trail. Which would you say it the prettiest and safest. I saw your Good Neighbor Trail and this one. Also do you know if there is rentals near these hikes? Half our group has to rent. Appreciate any help you can give !!!!

[@Paul_Paula]

Hi Alexa, thanks for watching our videos. We really liked biking around the town of Crystal River. In this video we biked on trails in and around the town area of C R and it’s trails had many street crossings… not a real safe ride for a group. I am putting a link in this comment to you of another trail we did in the Crystal River area, that had no street crossings and took us to the Gulf of Mexico… it would be a great group ride. We have never rented bikes, so Google “bike shops” in that area to find a place to rent some extra bikes. Watch this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZPSZaSDf92Kaqs

[@Paul_Paula]

Here is the address for the Gulf of Mexico bike trail in Crystal River, it is safe with no road crossings. Withlacoochee Bay Trail Felburn Park Trailhead 10201 Suncoast Blvd. Crystal River, FL

[@pedrofernandez8729]

I suppose you filmed this prior to the hurricane passing by? Were you guys affected?

[@Paul_Paula]

Hi Pedro, we hope you survived that hurricane without being impacted by it. We did this bike ride about a week or so after Hurricane Ian went through, this part of our state was spared. Our home is 45 miles north of Tampa was not damaged. Prayers for those who lost much. Thanks for checking out this bike ride.

[@pedrofernandez8729]

@@Paul_Paula Yes i live in the Miami area, we were spared this time, my prayers are with those affected, so much beauty got destroyed, I love to visit the Gulf coast area. We were hoping to vacation there next year.

[@Paul_Paula]

Glad to hear, you weathered that hurricane okay. Stay well, my friend.