Touring - touring south florida

Any tip on touring south florida- from Miami to Keywest? specific road, hotel recommandation etc

Check out this site for info on touring to the Keys: http://www.floridabicycle.org/messenger/msgronl0103/winter038.htm
And here is an account of a trip using this routing:
http://www.stubna.com/cycling_florida/

I have toured down to the keys and back and am thinking of doing so again sometime soon.My advice would be to take Old Cutler Rd. south from Miami then use backroads through Homestead (east of Rt 1)to weave around to Florida City.From there you will have to get on US1 briefly then can take Card Sound Road which is the longer way around to Key Largo but less traffic(though there are some gravel trucks and it is narrower w/o shoulder).I think the linked article discusses the pros/cons of taking Card Sound vs. US 1 to Key Largo but basically US 1 in this section has particularly high speed traffic and even though a wide shoulder the shoulder has rumble/speed strips over most of the shoulder at regular frequent intervals .I have ridden both Card Sound and US 1 between Fl. City and Key Largo but both times early in the morning when traffic wasn't a problem.So which ever way you choose my advice might be to stay at the Everglades hostel in Fl. City and get an early start.

From Key Largo south ,it is basically US 1 or the bike path parallel to it in places.I generally avoided the bikepath as it seemed more dangerous in crossing sidestreets than just staying on US 1 with its generous shoulder.It was several year ago when I did the trip and I think they may have more of the bike path completed now including some sections using the old bridges in the lower keys.

I prefer to stealth camp when touring but there are hostels in Fl. City and Key West and there are a number of cheaper motel options in the upper keys but as you get towards key west everything gets more expensive.

As mentioned, you will have two options to reach the Keys. The main drag (US 1) and the alternate route over the Card Sound Bridge. Even though much of it is without shoulder, local cyclists seem to prefer Card Sound Road. I agree about tackling this stretch as early in the day as possible.

Here's a link to the hostel in Florida City...

http://www.evergladeshostel.com/

The above remains very little altered, I've done all except the ferry rides in the past year. My fav part is from Ley Largo to Key West and return and parts thru So. Miami. Least fav is anypart south of Florida City to Key Largo, there have been times I think it may have been preferable to take my chances with the gators and crocs, stead of the truk traffic. But all things considered it is a nice ride for our northern visitors.Winter(winter Ha Ha Ha), showers are usually brief and infrequent

A very nice detour across Biscayne Bay to Key Biscayne and Bill Boggs Park, via the Rickenbacker Causeway, off US1, just south of Miami center would add a couple of hours, allows great water views and a chance to pedal up our highest hill, the bridge at the center of the bay. I'll be riding it Sat and Sun this weekend and next

Thanks for your assistance and advise. Now the big question: Should I bring my bike (Davinci) on the plane (traveling with our great national airline Air Canada...)-or have it ship by UPS-or simply rent one when I get to Miami. If I rent in Miami, do you have any suggestion as of from who to rent and what brand and model of bike are available?

Can't help much there don't have acess to Maimi phone book that may list bike rental,(google perhaps)and airlines as is mentioned often here can be good or horrible, my experience is with carriers to Europe and have NO probs there

Can't give you any firsthand advice on how to best transport your bike as I always start(and finish) from home on my bike on my touring.I have heard others say though if the plane has a significant charge they prefer to just ship to a lbs seperately avoiding plane baggage handlers and fees.

I will say Florida bike shops rarely sell touring specific bikes and I doubt they would have any for rent except perhaps mtn. bikes.I do know the everglades hostel linked above rents Raleigh mtn. bikes so that might be an option.

Perhaps you could arrange to ship your bike to or rent from the hostel(I have never stayed there but have read much positive feedback about them) then plan to start from there avoiding urban Miami.There is public transportation to there and even a comuter line from Fl. City on to Marathon if you preferred to start in Key Largo .I will say the Card Sound route is scenic and remote(much more so than the rest of the keys) after the first 5 miles or so where a few gravel trucks may be encountered though it can be very buggy in the nonwinter seasons(read that to say mosquitos chased me the whole way around daybreak over summer lol).