200 Mile Bike Ride
The B3ar
A Survival of the Fittest
The B3ar, a 200 Mile bike ride*, covers every type of terrain found in the Florida Panhandle, from pavement to gravel to sand, and depending on the day's weather - mud. This is all common to many bike rides however.
So, what makes The B3ar unique?
That it's self-sufficient?
The elevation?
The heat?
No, but it is a self-sufficient ride with a few thousand feet of elevation gain where temperatures can maul your motivation.
So, what makes this ride unique? The design! The B3ar is designed to be a survival of the fittest. Translation: You can ride the route anytime of year, you just have to complete the 200 miles and enter Saint Andrews State Park (+$2) before it closes for the evening.
Objective: Finish the 200 mile route before Saint Andrews State Park closes for the evening.
Start & Finish: 6530 Thomas Drive, Panama City Beach, FL 32408
Prize: Show completed Strava route and get a free B3ars’ t-shirt.
Expect a ferocious day of riding… And, remember - Beware of B3ars!
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*Note: The goal is to eventually make this route a bike race. Stay tuned!
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Details
Non-sanctioned.
Self-sufficient ride. You can stop at gas stations, dollar generals, etc.
Roads will NOT be closed.
Highway riding (50%) - be comfortable with such!
GPS and Front + Rear bike lights mandatory.
Helmet mandatory as well.
Must carry identification and credit card or cash.
Must have a support crew or someone who will pick you up in case of a breakdown. We will not come get you.
Ride at your own risk!
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Rules
You must take a before selfie/picture with The BikeBears sign.
All riders must stop at red lights!
No bike changes. One bike to rule them all.
The goal is to survive - aka finish before the park closes (i.e., sunset).
You may ride with friends.. but it’s more impressive to go solo.
Show us your Strava!
If you make it into + through St. Andrew’s State Park ($2 admission fee) before it closes at sunset, then you…
Can brag,
Earn a B3ars’ T-shirt, and
Will be considered for a special spot when we launch the actual race (future date tbd).
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Route
Start & Finish: 6530 Thomas Drive, Panama City Beach, FL 32408 [B3ars’ Bike Shop]
Ride With GPS - DOWNLOAD ROUTE
201 Miles
4,176 Elevation Gain
Mixed Terrain
Public Roads
Paved Trails
Gravel
Red Clay
Highway!
You may park at the bike shop. Please email (Ryan@bikesbagelsbrew.com) or text (850-739-1255) to let us know your name + car make and model.
A message from Bikes, Bagels, & Brew LLC founder and “creator” of The B3ar.
The B3ar is an amalgamation of shorter rides that I’ve done in the Panama City Beach area and routes created by others in the cycling community, specifically PCB legend JoJo Fritz. As we cyclists search for safer roads in beautiful places away from cars, The B3ar is a route that blends various forms of riding: Sand. Gravel. Dirt. Pavement. Highway. Technical single-track in the woods. To survive, it will require you to be a good rider, with a good strategy, experiencing a good day on the bike.
The B3ar in Words…
You start on Thomas Drive near the beach, where a cruiser bike is all that is required. You next navigate hotels, restaurants, and shopping centers before hitting the paved paths of Gayles Trails. Then you’ll find your first bit of dirt before touching the outer perimeter of the gem that is Conservation Park. On the North side of the park you may encounter sand as you spin your wheels looking for the good line. From there you pop onto Highway 79 for a bridge climb before making a loop around the airport.
Back at HWY 79, you head north for about five miles before you hit Pine Log State Forest. In the forest you’ll encounter Crooked Creek’s single-track with twists and turns that will test your bike handling skills real fast. Upon overcoming the switchbacks and tree-roots, you’ll return to HWY 79 where you’ll want to stay areo. Very aero, as the next 18 miles of 2-lane highway have you cruising with cars and thankful for each intermittent section that reminds drivers to, “share the road!“
About mile 70, you should probably stop at the Dollar General Market to grab something cold before the real fun begins. Now you begin the Tour de Ranch, a 60+ mile voyage of about 2,500 feet of elevation gain littered with red sand and a mind-bending housing development that will make you question your sanity.
Once you make it out of Ecofina and the Devils Hole, you’re right back at the Dollar General where another pit-stop is encouraged. Once refueled, it’s time to get aero again as the next 20’ish miles are highway riding. After climbing the bridge from this morning, you’ll retrace your steps back to the Conservation Park where you’ll ride the Bear Loop before hopping onto some asphalt and paved trails back into town. But wait, once back onto Thomas Drive you still have to make it to and through St. Andrew’s State Park, where one of the last hurdles of the event is entering the park ($2 / bike) before it closes for sunset. Bear in mind, it’s a 2-mile sprint home from the park.
