Southeast - Fort Myers Fl

Hey everyone. Im going to be staying on fort myers beach in a couple of weeks.

1. I was wondering if there are any group rides or any local roadie who is down for a ride.

2. Does anyone know any safe good routes, I will be staying in a hotel near the center of the island on the water.

3. Do cyclists have to pay the toll for the sanibel causeway?

Thanks for the help
-Dave

I was just in Sanibel a few weeks ago. The area is very bike friendly with lots of beach cruiser bikes all over. A great route would be to cross the bridge then turn right (North) and follow the signs to Captiva Island, then back. Be sure to go in the morning, though. There won't be much traffic then and the heat will still be palatable.

I specifically looked to see if there was a toll for cyclists on the bridge - didn't see any mention on the signs. The roadway on the bridge has clearly marked bike lanes and "share the road" signs - very cool.

As a side note. I highly recommend chartering a boat tour with these guys (http://www.sunsetride.com/). It was by far the highlight of my vacation.

Have fun!

Thanks for the quick reply! Sounds like a nice place to ride with the bike lanes and signs. Ive been there before i got into cycling and have rented a boat so I will probably do that again. Another question. Do you know if a rider can safely get from fort myers beach to sanibel? I remember the bridge off the island being a fast, heavy traffic road.

I think riding across the bridge now would be a blast - very bike friendly. There is a lot of traffic, but the bike lanes and signage should keep you somewhat safe. I saw several cyclists - hybrids, not roadies - on the bridge.

Again, Thank you. I think I'll take my chances and ride the bridge, from what I remember its a pretty steep grade for a bridge and sounds like fun.

Hey everyone. Im going to be staying on fort myers beach in a couple of weeks.

1. I was wondering if there are any group rides or any local roadie who is down for a ride.

2. Does anyone know any safe good routes, I will be staying in a hotel near the center of the island on the water.

3. Do cyclists have to pay the toll for the sanibel causeway?

Thanks for the help
-Dave

hope this isn't too late for you.

there are many group rides look at www.caloosariders.com

ride from ft myers beach SOUTH to lover's key state park is a nice ride.

beware that the other respondent was referring to the SANIBEL causeway bridge (no toll, cyclists 'tolerated' and signage - but coming off island be careful as the breakdown lane disappears and you will be suddenly thrust into a merge with anxious motorists!

hope this isn't too late for you.

there are many group rides look at www.caloosariders.com

ride from ft myers beach SOUTH to lover's key state park is a nice ride.

beware that the other respondent was referring to the SANIBEL causeway bridge (no toll, cyclists 'tolerated' and signage - but coming off island be careful as the breakdown lane disappears and you will be suddenly thrust into a merge with anxious motorists!

Not too late. Im going in like 2 weeks. So from what I understand its too dificult to get from ft myers beach to sanibel island? Also about how many miles is it to lover's key state park, Im looking for about a 40mi ride. Also I would love to join those group rides but i wont be able to use my car to get to the ride start points, so that would be a problem.

With Tropical Storm Fay rolling through there last night, I remembered this thread. Did you make it to Sanibel and ride the bridge? How was it?

Every Sunday we leave from Cape Coral and ride to Sanibel, then have lunch on Captiva...61 mile round trip. The new bridge is a beautiful ride! From an etiquette point of view, as you are approaching the toll boothes, there is a small turn out lane for bikes. Bikes do not pay the $6 toll, but if you take the road thru, you will trigger the scofflaw alarm, and the toll booth operators have a special paperwork report they have to fill out. To ease their lives, I ALWAYS take the little turn out....it only takes a moment, and it is well marked now....it was just put in about 3-4 weeks ago. I guess they got sick of us triggering the alarms.

We usually go straight across Sanibel and go up the beach side to Rabbit Run and then cross back over to the main road up to Captiva. The bike paths are well maintained. There are clean, new, well maintained rest rooms on the causeway now. The road thru Ding Darling Preserve is very pretty, but don't do it on a road bike. It is paved, but you will take your kidneys out of your body.....need a beach cruiser with wide low pressure tires for the "cobblestone" pavement in the reserve...There is a $1 fee per bike in the Preserve.

Be careful coming off the bridge as you come back from Sanibel as the breakdonw lane disappears.....you have about 200 yds before there is an adequate shoulder where you are sharing the lane......since this is right after you are coming off the bridge, on the exit side of the toll booth complex, you will be moving at a good clip....have done this many, many times and traffic has always been courteous in my experience.

I think you will have a great ride!