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TOUR MANUAL

We offer two general types of daily tours. The "Three Hour Tour" and the "Cross Country Tour" .
Both tours can be ridden in a "sport" or "leisure" mode or in varying degrees determined as we go.

We require at least 2 riders to schedule a tour the day before. After obtaining a general description of customer expectations, E-E will determine a preliminary course to ride based on the group, weather, time, season and other factors and outfit for the tour accordingly. It is important to get to the "Edge" trailhead early enough for time to select and fit your bike, study the route and get loose and prepare for a great ride. 30 minutes at least. Waivers are read and signed as per liability insurance requirements.

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Our bicycles all vary in 3 general classes but are all trail bikes and set up with appropriate tires and accessaries. We will test and adjust the suspensions, seats, stems, grips, etc.. to achieve a blend with the rider, the bike and the general terrain anticipated.

We're proud of our bicycles. All of them have been put together for a specific purpose and tested thoroughly. Each bike is a thrill to ride in its own right and has advantages depending on the basic variables, but all have the ability to go off road. All have fat tires, varying 2" - 4" wide.

We provide helmets, lights, rear racks, bike bags, tarps, chairs and pedals. (platforms are standard but click-ins available). If you have a seat or pedals that you want to use, just bring them and we'll install.

We provide Ice water, fresh fruit and snack bars for our short tours and an excellent sack lunch for our cross country rides. Let us know particular preferences in advance when signing up.

We have secure spots for parking and a place to plan and prepare before tours, and for rest afterward at the Everglades Edge trailhead and Headquarters within Picayune Strand state forest.
At the "Edge", we have additional refreshments and equipment such as juice or gloves and other essentials available for our tour customers to purchase- as well as a bike repair shop and restroom and picnic area.

                                                                                 What to bring!

      A. CLOTHES - Basically dress as if you were going on a hike.

              1. Heavier shoes- light hiking shoes, heavy running shoes. Bike foot wear is good if
                   it can be used for walking. Mountain type bike shoes are good. We have lock in clip pedals available.
                  Otherwise platform pedals are simple, easy and standard on our bikes.

              2. If you bring your own helmet, have one equipped with a visor. We use them not just for sun but also for
                   light and bug relief at times. Polarized sunglasses for the blinding glare of the sun as well as for
                   general protection is important to have with you.

              3. Bring a lightweight rain jacket and other layers for changing weather conditions such as a litghtweight T or heavy T and
                  sweat shirt or thermal undershirt. When it doubt, bring it along and the guide will help you determine what you'll need for
                   the day.
                  Sometimes things can get hotter than you'd ever expect as well as colder at times but we'll know the prevailing
                  conditions of the day very well.

              4. Thick shorts with pockets or padded riding shorts are suggested unless it's really hot. Seat fatigue will depend
                  on how much you've been riding and how much over the rough roads. If not much lately, then riding pads for
                  your seat is suggested. Also bring your padded biking gloves.
                  If you need gloves we have new ones available for our tour customers to purchase as well other general items.

       B. FOOD AND DRINKS. Bring your own snacks and drinks if you'd like.

              1. We have places for 2 bottles on each bike and can carry more. We provide ice water, bottles, granola bars and
                  fresh fruit for our snacks on the trail.
                  For the Cross Country Sport tour there will be a boxed lunch provided as well as snacks and additional refreshments.
                  The Picnic tours have will be catered food with refreshments for a gourmet picnic as well as snacks for on the trails.

              2 There are additional cold drinks available to our tour customers to purchase at the Edge headquarters and trailhead.

        C.   PERSONALS

               1. Sunscreen is very important. We have some available but 2 types is suggested- spf 45 in a small tube for the face,
                   nose and ears for convenience and a larger back-up tube for moisturizing (non-greasy) and protecting general skin areas.

               2. For medications, I-pods, phones, keys, etc... Each bike has small storage seat, rack or frame bags for riders to take smaller
                   personal items with them as needed.

               3. Bring a can of bug spray with you if you'd like. We will have spray available for everyone. But if you bring your own,
                   take one that is in a small tube or bottle that can be easily carried, doesn't leak or damage plastics.

THE THREE HOUR TOUR
These half day tours start either early or late in the day and can go a little longer than 3 hours
depending on how the ride unfolds. The wind is usually still in early morning and late afternoon and wildlife sounds such as those from the wings of the night hawk or the rustle of a foraging possum or gopher tortoise come through loud and clear and a first clue to look and see what's there. Things are so easily missed.
The low sunlight angles define the landscape colors and the plant and wildlife sightings are also best at dawn and dusk. The dawns go on forever and the sunset's red light is incredible across the evening prairies. The stars are very bright in the Florida night sky and our picayune skies are still very dark.
We will ride out on varying trails and roadways and very possibly see turkeys and whitetails together in a clearing. Perhaps an eagle cruises by but more likely scattered groups of doves and vultures taking wing in the early sun up. Maybe a bear will amble openly along if we're quiet and who knows, perhaps even a panther, but much more likely a curious bobcat.
The open ground and the trails under our wheels

give a freedom not known here since when all terrain vehicles ran the open range. Today we ride on the remnants of the past.
Although our ATV's burn no gas, make little noise, are powered by human legs and leave very little trace behind in comparison, they are even more fun. The 3 hour tour is an efficient ride and a good work out and just might be enough to get you started to come back again as this tour changes every time.

THE PICAYUNE CROSS COUNTRY TOUR
This tour takes us all around the forest in a large overland loop. Usually around 25 - 35 miles or more. We expect to be out on the trails about 6 hours total and will stop a few times for drinks and sightseeing. We'll eventually stop for an excellent box lunch picnic at a pre selected shady location, around halfway and rest. We'll then take a short hike into a cypress dome , oak hammock or down to a pond to check out or photograph what might be there.
We start a little later in the day during winter months and for the summer we break from this midday time frame for the shorter rides in the morning and late afternoon to miss the thunderstorms. Cross Country rides during the summer must leave extra early in the morning to be back before the afternoon rains.
This ride may take us all the way over to Fakahatchee Preserve along those prairies and over the restoration area down to the campground and then possibly over to Collier Seminole State Park then north through the Belle Meade back country trails.
Other routes can take you right through the middle of the forest. There are several trails in between the blocks and seasonal corridors that we connect into a continuous route.
At this time there are also paved access roads into the forest that serve well for riding smooth and leisurely to get around to places fast. Too rough for road bikes, these old asphalt hwys. are perfect for our bikes.