Cycling South Florida: Everglades, Florida Keys, Tamiami Trail

[dchalfant]

Hello Everyone,

 I'm new to the world of forums so I hope I've done this correctly.

My boyfriend and I will be touring in south Florida at the end of the month and I have some questions for people who are familiar with the area. We plan to ride from Fort Lauderdale to Key West following the ACA route, with a side trip to the Everglades for two nights. From Key West we are taking a ferry to Fort Myers and then riding down to the Tamiami Trail and back to Miami, then Fort Lauderdale.

I am particularly interested in "wild" camping on the Florida Keys. Has anyone here successfully done it and where? Also, in the slim chance anyone will also be down there we would love to share campgrounds (we have already reserved many nights but they are so expensive! same price as they charge the RVs- $42!) We are also looking for suggestions for cyclist friendly (and cheap) accommodations in Fort Myers and Miami/Miami Beach. We have the ACA Maps but I like to know from others' experiences which were the best.

I am also looking for suggestions on a route from Fort Myers Beach to the Tamiami Trail east of Naples. Anyone familiar with navigating this urban area? So far we have looked on Google maps and charted our best guess of a route through the cities.

Any other suggestions about interesting stopping points or favorite places to eat are always welcome. We are both very interested in natural history and wildlife watching opportunities along the way. I can't wait to see alligators! (on our way through Florida last winter it was way too cold for any of them to be out of their burrows.)

We are very experienced cyclists, having ridden our bikes over 5,000 miles last winter from Portland, OR to San Diego, CA, to St. Augustine FL all using ACA maps.  Check out our blog @ www.dandgtour.blogspot.com

Thanks for any of your input!
Danielle

[JHamelman]

Welcome Danielle!

I am also looking for suggestions on a route from Fort Myers Beach to the Tamiami Trail east of Naples. Anyone familiar with navigating this urban area? So far we have looked on Google maps and charted our best guess of a route through the cities.

You might want to check your Google map suggestions against the maps found on the Florida DOT Bicycle Pedestrian page:

http://www.dot.state.fl.us/safety/ped_bike/touringInfo/ped_bike_touringInfo_maps.shtm

Or you could get in tough with their office directly for their opinion and/or suggestions:

Dennis Scott
State Pedestrian & Bicycle Coordinator
phone: 850-245-1527
fax: 850-245-1554
dennis.scott@dot.state.fl.us

Dwight Kingsbury
Assistant Pedestrian and Bicycle Coordinator
phone: 8502451520
fax: 8502451554
dwight.kingsbury@dot.state.fl.us


Hope that helps.

.Jennifer.

[Lucky13]

I am particularly interested in "wild" camping on the Florida Keys...

Aside from State Parks and so forth, most all of the ground in the Keys is private property - or under water at high tide. You might have some luck around the various bridges. Some of the older spans are now used as fishing piers, with anglers coming and going all night. You might be able to pitch a tent there. Don't be surprised if your sleep is interrupted.

I am also looking for suggestions on a route from Fort Myers Beach to the Tamiami Trail east of Naples...

ACA covers that stretch with section 7 of the Atlantic Coast route. Getting from the beach back to the Trail shouldn't be difficult.

Any other suggestions about interesting stopping points or favorite places...

I've posted an article over at CrazyGuyonaBike covering the Everglades region. Here's a link...

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/glades

[dchalfant]

Lucky 13, Thanks for the response. I found your Everglades article very helpful. It is very thorough and much appreciated.

[Chancewag]

Lucky 13, just had to say that your Everglades article was incredibly enlightening. I am doing the St. Augustine to the Keys ride and have wanted to visit the everglades, but could never find enough information to make me feel comfortable about navigating around alone.

Thanks to you I will get to experience what looks like an awesome time around the Everglades.

Thank you for taking the time to make this write up, I truly appreciate it!

[Lucky13]

Thank you for taking the time to make this write up...

Thank you for paying a visit. I am glad that you enjoyed it.

[Vitornis]

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5CB5C510B82B7317

Here's a link of my ride from Key Largo to Marathon.  Check it out if your wondering what the roads are like.

[Lucky13]

I have updated my CrazyGuy article covering the Florida Everglades region. Various construction projects are ongoing, as part of the Everglades restoration plans. Cyclists visiting the area should make note of these plans.

Here's a link:

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/glades

[Ebtbmt]

Just wanted to say thanks for the great article.  I planning on riding from Ft. Myers to Key West in a couple of weeks and am on a limited time to get there.  While I've been to the Everglades several times it's been by car or boat and I wasn't sure about the safety of going across the Tamiami on a bike.  Despite the obstacles you relate in your article, I believe this will be our best course.  We'll have vehicle transport for part of the trip so we shouldn't have a problem with the construction on the east end, if it is still a problem. 

[fransie]

Welcome Danielle!

I am also looking for suggestions on a route from Fort Myers Beach to the Tamiami Trail east of Naples. Anyone familiar with navigating this urban area? So far we have looked on Google maps and charted our best guess of a route through the cities.

You might want to check your Google map suggestions against the maps found on the Florida DOT Bicycle Pedestrian page:

http://www.dot.state.fl.us/safety/ped_bike/touringInfo/ped_bike_touringInfo_maps.shtm

Or you could get in tough with their office directly for their opinion and/or suggestions:

Dennis Scott
State Pedestrian & Bicycle Coordinator
phone: 850-245-1527
fax: 850-245-1554
dennis.scott@dot.state.fl.us

Dwight Kingsbury
Assistant Pedestrian and Bicycle Coordinator
phone: 8502451520
fax: 8502451554
dwight.kingsbury@dot.state.fl.us


Hope that helps.

.Jennifer.

[fransie]

First things first I may be a little late. For florida go to the FBA.org site Florida Bicycle Association.
Second, Most of Tamiami Trail is Highway with poor bicycle provisioning.
Also one of the most dangerous sections in my area (North Port)
Use Google there are some nice routes east and west of Tamiami Trail from Fort Myers to Punta Gorda.

Google maps will set for kicycling will get you the best option.

[JHamelman]

fransie,

Thanks for chiming in about the Florida Bicycle Association. FYI, the web address is actually http://floridabicycle.org/

.Jennifer

[Lucky13]

It's been some time - knee issues, family issues - but I have recently updated my CrazyGuy article covering the Florida Everglades.

Once again, here's the link:

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/glades

Enjoy!