-
Brush fire, flat tire and Key Largo
Day 20: Miami Kendall, FL or Key Largo, FL; 51 miles, 86 degrees, 96 on the pavement We awoke today to news that there was a brush fire between US 1 and Card Sound Rd – the two routes in and out of the Florida Keys. So, we waited a bit before heading out. Southbound
//
-
Alligator Alley – Day 2
Day 19: Everglades City, FL to Miami-Kendall, FL; 68.5 miles, 87 degrees, 101 off the pavement We rode about 59 miles on the Tamiami Trail today – across the rest of the Everglades and Big Cypress National Preserve. We rode past the smallest post office in the U.S. – Thanks to David for taking a
//
-
Alligator Alley – Day 1
Day 18: Naples, FL to Everglades City, FL; 35.0 miles – HOT! This post is late because the internet was spotty last night, but really, I was TOO TIRED! It was a shorter riding day, but we were tired from four longer hot days and we had a later start, making it a hotter ride
//
-
It’s hard to know where to begin…
Day 16: Punta Gorda, FL to Naples, FL; 70.6 miles, 89 degrees Today was an interesting riding day. A summary would be: Boardwalk, sand, Burnt Store Rd, two flat tires, Tamiami Trail and a police officer. This photo doesn’t do the day justice, but gives you an idea. It was a beautiful sunny morning, and
//
-
A real bike trail and more time on US 41
Day 16: Bradenton, FL to Punta Gorda, FL; 70.6 miles, 90 degrees The further south we go, the warmer the temperatures, but today we enjoyed a tailwind for much of the last two segments of riding. We also enjoyed about 12 miles on a real bike trail, the Legacy Trail. We had lunch at the
//
-
Rain, sun and Highway 41
Day 15: Odessa, FL to Bradenton, FL; 68.2 miles, 1,000 ft of climb, 83 degrees We waited out the rain this morning that moved through the area and were on the road by 9 am. We had a dry and sunny ride. The later start had us out during the heat of the day and
//
-
Suncoast Trail and Starkey Park Trail
Day 14: Crystal River, FL to Odessa, FL; 73.9 miles, 2,400 feet of climbing, 85 degrees Back on the road today and we were fortunate enough to have all but about 10 miles on trails; first the Suncoast Trail that paralleled the Suncoast Highway and then on the Starkey Park Trail. A bit of up
//
-
Manatees and the Rainbow River
Day 13: Off Day, swimming with the Manatees in King’s Bay and Floating the Rainbow River Today was a day off in Crystal River and we spent it doing water sports. In the morning, we went swimming with the manatees and in the afternoon, we snorkeled down the Rainbow River. In between, we had brunch
//
-
Oh boy! Another day on U.S. 98
Day 12: Chiefland, FL to Crystal River, FL, 45 miles, 83 degrees So, another day on U.S. 98. It’s starting to feel like the Erie Canal of 2024…too many days on the same straight path. After one mile on the trail today, my route said, “end of route 44 miles.” No turns, just straight road.
//
-
Love the sun, love the ride
Day 11: Perry, FL to Chiefland, FL; 64.9 miles, again on Highway 98, 86 degrees So, we quickly figured out the gist of today’s ride. We turned out of the hotel parking lot and I looked down at my Garmin, the route instructions said, “left turn in 43 miles.” Ha ha…another long stretch of Highway
//
