Looking for some advice on an upcoming bike tour from Miami to Key West. It will be early November to hit the off season. I have a few tours under my belt but this one has been on the bucket list. Plus I’ve never been to the Keys. I plan on landing mid day and riding to Florida City to stay the night (30ish miles) then splitting the remaining 130 miles over 2 days.
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I’m flying into Miami International with my bike. Is there a best way to ride out of the airport or do I just have to try my best to get out and try to not get run over? I’ve looked at the Strava heat map and put together a route but I’m open to other ideas.
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Leaving Florida City and crossing the Everglades, better to do Route 1 or Card Sound Rd? I’ll be hitting this part on a Monday morning so I’m leaning toward Route 1 because of the shoulder.
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Would it be safe to risk it and book motels as I arrive at my destination along the way or book in advance to make sure there’s a room. I’ve read the November is during the off season but being caught without lodging or blowing the budget on an expensive, last available, room does not sound good.
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Getting the bike back home. I looked at using a LBS in Key West to ship it. It would be slightly cheaper to fly it back with me but I won’t have a box. I could grab a box from the bike shop but I plan on cutting up a pool noodle and other precautions to keep it safe on the way down. I’m thinking shipping it back for the peace of mind would be best.
Any other thoughts would be appreciated. I’ve been to Florida a few times, I’m aware the drivers can be wild at times. I will have a friend tagging along if his schedule works out. My wife will meet me at Key West and we will fly home together from there after a few days and several key lime pies.
(Pic of the bike for those that are curious)
by DeputyReddit
1 Comment
1. I have biked out of that airport (going east not south, but still) and it is very unpleasant. There’s just no good way to do it. The metrorail connects right to the intermodal station next to the airport. I would hop on the train there and get off at the southernmost stop, the Dadeland South station. From there you can pick up a bike trail most of the way to Florida City. It’s still about 21 miles to Florida City, so it’s a decent ride, and for much of the way there’s either a bike path or a busway you can ride in.
2. Neither route is great, honestly. I haven’t biked it (when I biked to Key West with friends, we drove to Key Largo and started from there). But I have driven both multiple times. US 1 has a wider shoulder but lots more traffic. Card Sound Road will be quieter but it doesn’t really have a shoulder.
3. In November there should be enough availability for you to roll up somewhere but given how crazy prices are in the Keys, even in the offseason, I would recommend booking ahead if possible, because you may find the budget options will be fully booked by then.
4. I don’t have any particular thoughts on this but I think shipping the bike will probably be easiest. You should ship it towards the end of your stay — a bike is one of the best ways to get around Key West. And bike rentals are readily available there for your wife.
Other thoughts: the Florida Keys Wild Bird Sanctuary in Tavernier is a fun place to stop for a quick visit. It’s free, though they ask for a donation. I recently visited the turtle hospital in Marathon too and it was really cool. That one is not free but worthwhile. And Bahia Honda State Park in Big Pine Key is lovely.
The drivers on the Overseas Highway are not great. My friends and I got honked at a lot, and not in a friendly way. There is a shared-use path that parallels the highway for much of it but it wasn’t always convenient, and we found ourselves riding in the road a fair bit. And you have to ride on the shoulder over the bridges. Definitely take spare tubes — we had a few flats. Hopefully you won’t get any.
It is a stunning ride, especially as you get to the lower keys.