Florida Bike Tour

[TimRosendahl]

I am looking for the route maps from Orlando, Fl. to Key West. Any assitance would be greatTextText

Regards,
Tim Rosendahl
cheftim12@aol.com

[Lucky13]

I'm not aware of an official route to the Keys. The ACA maps go as far as Fort Myers on the Gulf coast. Also, it is not possible to reach Key West, by bike, from the gulf side. You can ride south only as far as Everglades City/Chokoloskee. Sooner or later, you would have to cross the state to reach the Keys.

The southernmost crossing available to cyclists (or motorists) is US 41...the Tamiami Trail. This is a high speed, two lane road running from the Naples area across to Miami. If you were to cross the Trail, then Hwy. 997 (Krome Ave.) would be found running north/south along the outer fringes of the Miami sprawl. A right turn here will lead to Homestead.

The Homestead/Florida City area is the hub for all points south. From there, you have two choices to reach the Keys. The main drag (US 1) and the alternate route over the Card Sound bridge. Both of these routes can be heavily used at times. Though much of it lacks a shoulder, local cyclists seem to prefer Card Sound Road.

From Orlando, you could instead work your way to Lake Okeechobee, then grab US 27 south. This will take you south, skirting past Palm Beach and Broward counties. Before reaching Miami, you can branch off and take 997 to Homestead. Lake Okeechobee can be a very nice diversion. The entire dike surrounding the lake has a recreational path for cyclists and hikers. Much of it is paved as well.

Here are a couple of links to articles on South Florida touring...

http://www.stubna.com/cycling_florida/

http://www.floridabicycle.org/messenger/msgronl0103/winter038.htm

[Lucky13]

It appears that Florida tourists have some new map sections available.
The spring 2006 edition of the Cyclosource catalog is showing a change
to the Atlantic Coast Route as well as a new Florida Connector.

The AC route now runs down the east coast all the way to Key West, FL.

The new Florida Connector appears to offer a route from St. Augustine
across the state to the gulf side and then back across to Fort Lauderdale.

I couldn't find any update info on ACA's web site.

[TRobertson]

The new route for the Florida section of the Atlantic Coast route is now
at the printer. We hope to have them back in the office around the end
of the month of March. We have a new section that travels from St.
Augustine down the east coast ending in Key West. We also have a new
"Florida Connector" route that leaves St. Augustine and travels west
across the state to Fort Myers Beach, then crosses back to the east side
of the state ending in Ft. Lauderdale. This should allow for a couple of
different loop options. There is also information on the maps for a
ferry connector between Key West and Ft. Myers Beach.

Feel free to write to us at Adventure Cycling towards the end of the
month to check on the status of the maps.

Tom Robertson
routes and mapping

 

[pmspirito]

I recently road from key Largo to Key West and back and I tell you it is one sweet ride. Very bike friendly. The bridges have a very wide 6-10 feet wide shoulders.  The motorists were pleasent.  When you get to Key West the "Southern most marker" is NOT the end of US-1.  You turn back torwards the West and go another couple of miles to mile marker Zero which is down town across from the old main post office as I recall.

best wishes from the back of the pack,  Peter & Judy Spirito

[TimRosendahl]

Thanks so much for your input. I am going to be leaving in a couple of days. I much appreciate your valuable information.
Tim Rosendahl



Regards,
Tim Rosendahl
cheftim12@aol.com