Southeast - to Key West group ride?

I have always wanted to join a group ride from Miami or Key Largo down to Key West. Problem is that all the scheduled rides that I find online are slower touring groups that only cover 40 or 45 miles a day. I see no reason why it shouldn't be one day each way trip or at least maybe 1.5 days each way. Is anyone familiar with any clubs or groups who are doing a ride like this? If not would anyone be interested in joining me and maybe we can make it a BF KW group ride?

Sunshine State Challenge: Miami – Key West, FL, Jan. 14-18, 2009. May be a bit further out than you'd have been thinking of or take a bit longer than what you've planned, but riding with this crowd is a true inspiration...

https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/index.php/WWP-Soldier-Ride.html

What kind of time of year you considering so far?

Sunshine State Challenge: Miami – Key West, FL, Jan. 14-18, 2009. May be a bit further out than you'd have been thinking of or take a bit longer than what you've planned, but riding with this crowd is a true inspiration...

https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/index.php/WWP-Soldier-Ride.html

What kind of time of year you considering so far?

That looks like an awesome ride. I booked mark it. Thanks.
I would rather go sooner that a year from now but if not that will work. As far as time of the year I would rather go.....I am flexible.

I did this ride last November by myself. I went from Key Largo (the Marriott Hotel) to Key West in about 4.5 hours riding time. I stopped once at the 50 mile mark (water) & once at the 82 mile mark (due to a huge t-storm). It is a fast ride, mainly cause it is so flat. I don't remember exactly, but I averaged either 21 ro 22 mph on the ride. It turned out to be 105 miles to the most southern point bouy.

The roughest roads are from Key Largo to Taveneir. After that it gets a lot smoother, but you go from two lanes to one. There are wide shoulders, but depending on when you go plan on heavy traffic on a road that is 45 mph. I left as soon as the sun was up and got halfway there before the traffic got too bad. Please be prepared for locals who are jerks. I probably had 3 different vechiles yell at me during the trip about getting on the bike path. But the bike path is more for the tourist than for a road bike.

If you have any other questions, let me know.

If you have any other questions, let me know.

you can count on it :)

I did this ride last November by myself. I went from Key Largo (the Marriott Hotel) to Key West in about 4.5 hours riding time. .

I was looking at the Bubba tour (http://www.bubbafestbiketours.com/) last night. How on earth can he take a 4.5 hour ride and turn it into a 7 day tour??????? It must be an 7 MPH average.

I was looking at the Bubba tour (http://www.bubbafestbiketours.com/) last night. How on earth can he take a 4.5 hour ride and turn it into a 7 day tour??????? It must be an 7 MPH average.

I am guessing they are really taking their time & seeing the sites on the way down. Also, as I mentioned before there are bike paths, but they are more for a recreational rider on a single speed. They are off the road, but are curvy, cracked & often have several roots growing through them. I enjoy riding, keep my self in decent shape, but no way put my self in the catagory most of the riders on this board do. I do not race nor have a classification, but just enjoy getting on a bicycle, accomplishing some goals & enjoying the social aspect of the ride.

Here is my post following my ride:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=364666&highlight=

Here is my post following my ride:

So looking back, are you glad you did the ride? Would you do it again?
I can't exactly say why but this is one ride I feel like I HAVE to do. My family and I have lived in many, many....many places but every time I go south of Miami I feel like I am home and that is where I belong.......strange....I know :)

Absolutely I am glad I did this ride. I can relate to your knowing where you belong. I grew up in a family of a CPA & a school teacher so every year after April 15 & when spring break fell after that we would load up from Delaware and go to the keys for 10 days or so & just camp. I have so many childhood memories of sitting in the family van going from key to key; those memories kept me company on that trip. We have stayed in at least 10 different keys while down there with Baiha Honda & Sugarloaf being two of the favorites. After all the times seeing those sites from the car / van, it was exhilariting to see them from my bicycle especially how riding it has become such a passion. But to be completely honest, you have to feel comfortable riding with traffic, because there is some.

But to be completely honest, you have to feel comfortable riding with traffic, because there is some.

Traffic.....I don't have a choice but to be comfortable with it otherwise I would never ride....LoL