Florida Keys?
03-25-23, 12:36 PM
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Florida Keys?
Does anyone know how bikable are the Florida Keys? I've been vaguely aware of the Keys, but this is the first time I've been in a cycling frame of mind when I glanced at a map. It seems like it would be an awesome way to vacation.
Spot checking with Google Street View, it seems like some stretches of US-1, especially between islands, are just highway with shoulder. Is it even legal to bike on the Overseas Highway?
Spot checking with Google Street View, it seems like some stretches of US-1, especially between islands, are just highway with shoulder. Is it even legal to bike on the Overseas Highway?
03-25-23, 01:16 PM
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It is legal.
There's a bit of info in this thread:
https://www.bikeforums.net/southeast...rida-keys.html
And probably in a few other threads i the Southeast folder.
No personal experience.
There's a bit of info in this thread:
https://www.bikeforums.net/southeast...rida-keys.html
And probably in a few other threads i the Southeast folder.
No personal experience.
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03-25-23, 02:21 PM
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I had a great time there, February 2017. That was before hurricane Irma, so anything I say might be wrong now.
At that time, the state parks in the Keys were often full. We stayed at state parks there, my touring partner lined up the parks. One of the parks, they let us camp in the picnic area but we could not set up until evening and had to be out by early morning. My touring partner did a great job of talking to state park personnel before the trip so we knew where we could get in.
There was a big RV park in Key West, they charged us about $100 for one night in a tiny little RV space that was half used for a big dumpster.
The photo below is a campground on Key Largo we stayed at, they were less than $50 if my memory is correct.
Don't be afraid of the bridges, you get used to them. But this would be a bad place to have a flat. There is a lot of debris on the shoulders.
We did Everglades before the Keys, I really enjoyed that too.
We started in Marco Island, went through Big Cyprus, then down to Everglades, and last the Keys. Then a ferry back to Marco Island which is where our vehicle was. I left my GPS on for the ferry ride, so that is why it is plotted on the map.
I took the photo below standing on a bridge on the highway through Big Cyprus. Lots of wildlife.
Be ready for hot and humid weather. My touring partner had some difficulty with the heat.
At that time, the state parks in the Keys were often full. We stayed at state parks there, my touring partner lined up the parks. One of the parks, they let us camp in the picnic area but we could not set up until evening and had to be out by early morning. My touring partner did a great job of talking to state park personnel before the trip so we knew where we could get in.
There was a big RV park in Key West, they charged us about $100 for one night in a tiny little RV space that was half used for a big dumpster.
The photo below is a campground on Key Largo we stayed at, they were less than $50 if my memory is correct.
Don't be afraid of the bridges, you get used to them. But this would be a bad place to have a flat. There is a lot of debris on the shoulders.
We did Everglades before the Keys, I really enjoyed that too.
We started in Marco Island, went through Big Cyprus, then down to Everglades, and last the Keys. Then a ferry back to Marco Island which is where our vehicle was. I left my GPS on for the ferry ride, so that is why it is plotted on the map.
I took the photo below standing on a bridge on the highway through Big Cyprus. Lots of wildlife.
Be ready for hot and humid weather. My touring partner had some difficulty with the heat.
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03-25-23, 02:23 PM
#4
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Real busy in seson. We car camped there in a swing don the state after an Everglades canoe trip. We found tent camping in campgrounds scarce and usually expensive. We paid too much to camp on concrete where they usually park a motorhome or trailer. Bad weather for snorkeling and scuba dive boats going out left motels with a bunch of empty rooms so we got a cheap room. They had free use of sit on top kayaks on the back bay and free loaner snorkeling equipment. It wasn't a real reef, but we had fun.
Not sure if a camping tour can work out well there or not. It is a lovely location with lots of nice diversions.
Not sure if a camping tour can work out well there or not. It is a lovely location with lots of nice diversions.
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03-26-23, 12:44 PM
#5
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I rode the Keys twice, once in 2017 and again in 2022. It was May and the weather was good with a little rain. The ride was on roads and bike paths. Generally the bike paths were good but several ended with warning pushing me on the roads. The drivers were accommodating especially on the 7 Mile Bridge.
https://www.texbiker.net/blog/2022/0...-florida-keys/
https://www.texbiker.net/blog/2022/0...ring-key-west/
https://www.texbiker.net/blog/2017/0...-fl-bike-ride/
https://www.texbiker.net/blog/2017/0...-fl-bike-ride/
https://www.texbiker.net/blog/2022/0...-florida-keys/
https://www.texbiker.net/blog/2022/0...ring-key-west/
https://www.texbiker.net/blog/2017/0...-fl-bike-ride/
https://www.texbiker.net/blog/2017/0...-fl-bike-ride/
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