When we moved to Miami, it took us a while to put together a number of biking routes we could use for everyday rides. Now that we've been here half a year, we've established our routes and patterns. For riding here in Miami, four days a week we go out on our road bikes. At least two rides a week are loops of the Rickenbacker. One day a week we explore Miami. We use our old favorites, bikes which started as off-road bikes but are now version 4.0 touring/city bikes. They can carry stuff, go anywhere, and have the gearing to pedal straight up a rock wall. I love those bikes.
This week we explored Pinecrest on our old bikes. It's a pleasant area to explore. We were somewhat familiar with Pinecrest since the Saturday Everglades Bicycle Club group ride routes through the area. Our meanderings took us through gated communities, a plethora of cul-de-sacs, and ended at Pinecrest Gardens. Pinecrest Gardens was one of the original Florida theme parks, Parrot Jungle, opening back in 1936. The theme park moved to Watson Island in 2003. Pinecrest Gardens (a.k.a., Parrot Jungle Historic District) is now a botanical garden, petting zoo, butterfly garden, and children's playground and splash'n'play park. And on Sunday it has a
very nice farmers market. We loaded up on baked goods and dragon fruit. Labor Day weekend picnic goodies.
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| Labor Day dawn over Port of Miami and Virginia Key. |
The nicest thing about September is that it starts with a holiday. We decided to head out on the Rickenbacker. As we swung onto the Rickenbacker, one of the prettiest sunrises in weeks was spreading across the eastern sky. By the time we did some loops and swung into Cape Florida State Park the early morning sky had taken on that peculiar shade of blue that blends into the sea at the horizon. We wheeled though Crandon Park. There were lots of baby peacocks. One young one was perched on a railing and making adorable noises. Riding past the beach, we stopped for a moment to watch two fishermen poling their boat in the shallows. It was getting hot, and we headed for home, sliding into the stream of cyclists heading west. A last ride over William Powell Bridge, a short run down South Miami Avenue, and we were home.
Thirty days in September. Last month our total bike miles was our highest ever (non-touring). The heat and humidity are notching down. September looks very, very good.
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| The sky and sea merge in early morning over Biscayne Bay. |
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| Fishermen pole their boat in the shallows off Crandon Beach. |
