Take a Flying Carpet Ride Mount Dora Style

Have you ever wished you could ride a flying carpet?  Wouldn’t it be amazing to float just above the ground and glide over streets, sidewalks, and through parks?  Well, that’s exactly what we did during a Segway of Central Florida tour in Mount Dora, and you can too.

Photo: Rori Paul, Rori Travels Florida

I’ve seen people riding Segways on tours or during events and always wanted to try it.  Although it looked easy, as with most new experiences there is a learning curve.  Before heading out, participants were taught how to properly use their Segways on the training course in the showroom.  Fortunately, the learning curve looks more like a “speed bump” and after a few minutes of hands-on training, we were ready for the tour.

Everyone in our group rode their Segway out of the building and down a ramp to the parking lot next to the showroom.  There, we were given the opportunity to hone our skills and become one with our flying carpet.  Each Segway is equipped with a walkie-talkie so everyone in the group could hear the guide throughout the tour.  Safety is the company’s primary concern and as a result there are usually several employees shadowing the group on their own Segways to make sure everyone is having a great time.  They also stopped traffic at intersections and warn participants of curbs or any uneven surfaces ahead.

Photo: Rori Paul, Rori Travels Florida

Once on the street, the next stop was the park on the shores of Lake Dora, which is located at the bottom of Donnelly Street.  There, tour participants improved their skills by riding on the grass and uneven ground to better prepare them for what was ahead.  The tour is both entertaining and educational, as the guide constantly provides interesting facts about the town and its history.

After practicing our driving skills at the park, we followed the road around the lake to the lighthouse, which is used at night to help guide boaters and fishermen to the launch area.  After a quick photo op, the group headed to Palm Island.  It’s a beautiful park with trails through a lush forest of native trees and plants.  This is where our practice on the uneven ground at the first park paid off, as there were tree roots that caused the trail to be a little rough in some spots.  Everyone exited the park on a narrow boardwalk that jutted out into the lake.  The next stop was a rest break and a chance to rehydrate.

Photo: Rori Paul, Rori Travels Florida

During the first part of the tour, the Segways were set to travel no more than 8 miles per hour (5 kilometers per hour).  However, during the rest break the speed was increased to approximately 12 miles per hour (7 kilometers per hour).  Although the difference doesn’t sound like much, it does add a little more thrill to the experience.  We practiced driving our flying carpets at the faster speed in the parking lot next to the park before riding in a residential community nearby.  Like most of Mount Dora, the community’s paved streets were hilly, something rarely seen in Florida.

By now, everyone was a flying carpet expert and followed the guide as if we had been riding Segways all our lives.  After a ride through Gilbert Park the group went past historic homes and even rode up to the summit of Mount Dora.  Throughout the tour, our guide continued to provide fascinating historical facts about the town and its residents.

Photo: Rori Paul, Rori Travels Florida

Following a few more passes through downtown, we headed back to the showroom where each of us reluctantly turned in our flying carpets for a more earth-bound from of transportation, our feet.  For the most up-to-date information about hours of operation and tour cost go to Segway of Central Florida tours or call 352.383.9900.  Cooney World Adventures guarantees you will have a fun, entertaining and educational experience.

Photo Source: Rori Travels Florida