travel in march in the south...

[Anne]

Hi !
I never come in USA. I'm a french girl and i would like cycling at the begining of march, perharps in Floride.
I want to know :
- how is the profil ? I like moutains and hills, so i need a little relief...
- is it possible to rent a good bike on place ?
- have you some small road (like in Europ ?) without to much car ?
I can arrive by plane to Miami, so, Miami 'll be the begining of my travel...

Please, answer me without abreviation and usefull vocabulary... because my english is not formidable !
Thancks.

[pptouring]

Miami and South Florida is flat! You will have some small (very small) rolling hills in Central to North Florida and by small hills, you may climb 30-40 meters! Yes we have small back country roads, but not like what you're used to having. The drivers here in Florida can be very unfriendly towards cyclist, so be careful. Yes I'm sure you will be able to find several bike shops that will rent you a bike. Good luck and hope you have a great vacation.

[Anne]

Thanck for your answer.
So, which states (in the south, because of sun) is the best to travel by bike ?
Florida was just an idea... But if I will be better in other place, i prefer change my plan.
I just need 1 or 2 states for cycling 10 days (so, around 600 miles), beautifull state, of course, but not isolated roads (because i'll be alone) and with some hills... If someone have an idea...

[aggie]

If you are looking for some variety I might suggest starting in San Diego, CA.  It is a good climb out of San Diego heading towards Phoenix on the Southern Tier route.  Then if you want to climb you could then do the southern sections of the Sierra Cascades route.  You could then loop back to San Diego or the Los Angeles Area. 

The later in March you go the better the weather.  If you go early you run the possibility of snow in the mountains.

You could also ride the hill country of Texas (around San Antonio). 

[pptouring]

Northern Georgia, Tennessee, & North Carolina area.

[FredHiltz]

+1 for the Texas Hill Country. This search will get you more than you ever wanted to know about it.

Fred

[John Nelson]

I'll also note that Florida is #2 of the 50 states in bicycle fatalities as a percentage of the population, three times the national average.

It's easy to rent a mountain bike in the U.S., difficult to rent a road bike, and probably impossible to rent a touring bike. To avoid problems, try to make your arrangements before you come.

[Anne]

Thanck for your answers !
I thinck i'll go to Texas, i'll studie about that.
If i have other questions... i'll come back on this forum ! it's very great.

[Westinghouse]

John Nelson said Florida is no. 2 in bicycle fatalities in the US, and I guess that comes in proportion to the population. I have known about ten guys who were hit while cycling, and five or so who were killed. I did have some experiences where traffic forced me off the road, and it did seem deliberate. If I had not gotten off the road, I very well may have been killed. That was not traffic. That was crime. Florida is flooded with it. But not to worry. Starting in Miami, get over to Miami Beach and stay on the barrier-island-roads going north. It's flat except for the occasional bridge which no serious bicycle tourist would consider a real climb. You can also get Tamiami Trail across the Everglades. Ask west Florida cyclists about the west coast. In March the weather is warm and comfortable for cycling. It can get cool too.

[pptouring]

John Nelson said Florida is no. 2 in bicycle fatalities in the US, and I guess that comes in proportion to the population.

Not sure about #2, but we've had our 8th cyclist killed today in just 3 months here in the Tampa Bay area. Some of those have been the fault of the "cyclist" and I use the term "cyclist" loosely!