My favorite place to ride a bike in Florida is the Florida Keys. We've toured there many times, and it just doesn't get old. This summer I'm trying to come up with a bike tour to the Keys that isn't a copy of something we've already done. Since the Florida Keys are simply a string of islands linked by bridges and one highway, planning something new is kind of a fun challenge. Here are the basics:
- Ferries: There is one that goes from Miami to Key West and vice versa. Another goes from Fort Meyers Beach to Key West and vice versa.
- There are several towns along the Keys that can be used as bases for loop tours.
- The entire length of the Keys highway has either wide paved shoulders or nice bike trails.
- You get to spend lots of time riding over bridges, including one that is 7 miles long.
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| The ferry is a great way to get from Key West to the mainland. |
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| You are always near the ocean on the Keys bike trail. |
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| This is our style of bicycle tour "camping." We have lots of picnic meals, but at inexpensive motels. |
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| Key West isn't all tourist t-shirt shops. This is Key West, too. |
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| One of the many, many bridges. |
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| See the storm? We got very wet a few miles down the road... |
I like the Keys in October and November, and that is when I think we'll head there next. We keep meaning to go with the Everglades Bicycle Club tour of the Keys in November, so that is among the options. But I don't tend to wander and dilly-dally on group tours, and I enjoy doing just that in the Keys. So we'll just see what makes the final cut. It's not like there are any
bad tour options in the Keys...
