"Florida is truly a nature preserve of immense proportions,” shares Earl Lang while standing behind his mountain bike in the middle of 14,000 acres of natural Florida. "It's the quiet and the slow pace."
The slow pace is embedded in the 65,000 acres of the Fred Babcock-Cecil Webb Wildlife Management Area.
"It's protected and controlled,” Earl said of his playground. The cycling enthusiast gives tours through his Nature Preserve Bicycle Adventure company.
Sandwiched between Punta Gorda and Fort Myers rests an undeveloped expanse of pine flatwoods. Here, you may not find a soul, except for a man whose bicycle socks provide a hint of what's next.
“You're just operating at a totally different speed,” Earl said. He makes it easy for folks looking to explore the state's natural beauty and get some exercise while riding mountain bikes.
"We're traveling on bicycles and we are not out here racing, we're just going along,” he explained.
Earl brings the bikes to you and then leads trail rides through the pristine vistas and natural waters of the wildlife management area.
While the trail ride is a little bumpy, Earl said he's designed these rides for folks of all ages, including those his age: 73 years old.
"These are mountain bikes. But that simply because they are more comfortable to ride,” he said. "It has nothing to do with jumping over tall stumps."
The excursions on two wheels can be as long or short as you want them. After all, Earl is used to pedaling for awhile.
"I've been from here to Lake Erie! It's just a totally different Florida,” he concluded.
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