Best route from Providence RI to Key West FL this October

[howie]

I have the maps from Adventure Cycle but they stray west more than I would like.  Is there a good way to follow the coast more.  would a bike gps work?  thanks Tom

[FredHiltz]

Hi Tom,

There are indeed  ways  to ride close to the coast and GPS will certainly help to find and follow them. They are not good ways for most of us. You can experience first-hand why the ACA route planners chose to avoid those parts. Their main reason would appear to be congestion in the resort areas and urban areas.

Once, in Maine, I spent a day riding the shore roads. When we returned to Route 1 we were 18 miles from where we had left the car.

Browse the GPS Discussion group to learn about picking a good GPS receiver for cycle touring. It is not the style sold as a "cycling GPS."

Fred

[staehpj1]

I have the maps from Adventure Cycle but they stray west more than I would like.  Is there a good way to follow the coast more.  would a bike gps work?  thanks Tom

For what it is worth I have not found a GPS to be all that useful for bike touring despite the fact that I am an avid GPS user in other activities like sailing, kayaking, and hiking.  I find that plain old paper maps work better for me especially if using the AC maps.  YMMV

[Peaks]

At least here in New England, the sea coast is pretty developed.  I'd much rather ride ACA's inland route than Route 1 through New Hampshire, Massachusetts and beyond. 

[litespeed]

I have gone up the east coast, hugging the coast, twice from Florida to New York. There is a ferry between NYC and Atlantic Highlands. You can take US9 down to Cape May. This is a good bicycling road with plenty of shoulder and facilities. The only drawback is a 2 1/2 mile stretch over the Mullica River near New Gretna where you have to ride the shoulder of the Garden State Parkway. Both times I did it, hammering hard, I was passed by cops but they ignored me.

The huge ferry will take you from Cape May to Lewes DL. In Ocean City MD ride down the boardwalk. A bit crowded but right pleasant. When you get to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge just go to the toll offices and ask for a ride across.  They will grumble a bit if you don't call ahead but you'll get the free ride with a maintenance man.

In the Outer Banks of NC you will take a bunch of delightful free ferries.
There is a campground right in Ocracoke. Avoid the crummy, overpriced motels in Morehead City. Go to the very nice Forestry Service campground at Cedar Point instead.

 In South Carolina avoid 17 and alt17 south of Summerville/Charleston. I've ridden both and they are as bad as it gets - narrow, two lane, shoulderless and very heavily trafficked. You might want to cut inland here. Get back on 17 where it parallels I95 and take it all the way to Florida. Just north of Jacksonville at Yulee cut over the coast and head south. Picking your way through coastal Jacksonville is a bit trying (Take the Mayport ferry) but don't even think about cutting west on A1A just below the FL-GA line. It is absolutely no place for a bicycle.

Then enjoy the Florida east coast. You won't be bored for a minute. I love it.