Southeast - Trips around Miami?

Hi all,

I am looking for information on a good day or maybe even a 2 day trip around Miami. I will be staying in South Beach or Hollywood beach and wouldn't mind going north or south. Is there a path or route that runs along the coast, can you bike through the glades? I live in a cold climate and couldn't live with myself if I visited Florida and didn't take the opportunity to bike, in shorts rather that gloves and jackets!

When are you going?

Hi all,

I am looking for information on a good day or maybe even a 2 day trip around Miami. I will be staying in South Beach or Hollywood beach and wouldn't mind going north or south. Is there a path or route that runs along the coast, can you bike through the glades? I live in a cold climate and couldn't live with myself if I visited Florida and didn't take the opportunity to bike, in shorts rather that gloves and jackets!

Oleta has bikes you can rent and the trails are pretty good.

What kind of riding are you planning to do? Are you bringing your own bike or have to rent one?

Thanks thus far!
I will be going in mid January

I tour and mountain bike. I am trying to get a feel of what my options are in the area, I was thinking a day or 2 trip along the coast or towards the keys or where ever is recommended would be a good way to see the land. I also would not pass the opportunity to do something off road be it cross country or a little more aggressive. I am thinking of renting since I'll only be riding a few days.

How would the ride from Hollywood to say Oleta be? I was looking at a map, is the riding ok down the 1A (ocean Boulevard)?

Anywhere along the coast/AIA will have alot of traffic. You could ride out to Flamingo or ride around Lake Okeechobee..Let me know if you need more info..Thanx,mate

I tour and mountain bike. I am trying to get a feel of what my options are in the area, I was thinking a day or 2 trip along the coast or towards the keys or where ever is recommended would be a good way to see the land. I also would not pass the opportunity to do something off road be it cross country or a little more aggressive. I am thinking of renting since I'll only be riding a few days.

Markham Park has mountain bike trails. Piccolo park has a Velodrome, and you can rent a fixed gear for $5.

You guys.gals are amazing to me! I think I might forgo any road adventures and just bike around the area where I am staying but I have become totally inspired to check out the mountain bike trails!
I have been researching these places now, Is the riding better in Oleta or Markham. Lake Okeechobee might be a little further then I want to travel, and a little too mello, correct me if im wrong there...

You guys.gals are amazing to me! I think I might forgo any road adventures and just bike around the area where I am staying but I have become totally inspired to check out the mountain bike trails!
I have been researching these places now, Is the riding better in Oleta or Markham. Lake Okeechobee might be a little further then I want to travel, and a little too mello, correct me if im wrong there...

Markham Park is a little more technical with shorter trails that connect up right after another on most places. Good challenges in there. More advanced in more areas than Oleta, has a free ride section. You will also need to get a tag to ride at Markham. You watch a short power point presentation, sign a waver and then are issued a pass/licence that you can use to ride there. Get caught without it and they kick you off the trails. I don't think they rent bikes there but its possible someone may set up a tent and rent some.

Oleta is fun. Not as technical in my opinion but has some excellent trails, most are longer and you get a short cool down in between trails. It has lots of roots but over all I find it a more pleasant ride. You get some nice scenery riding along the water. Gilligan's Island if a nice long ride. Very jungle like. You don't need to watch a video or sign anything to ride there. They have a bike shot and place to rent bikes. Specialized is what they rent most. You can also rent a kayak and later do some snorkeling at the park.

I would recommend Oleta so to have access to a decent rental, fun trails, no restrictions on riding other than a helmet, and other fun activities to do as well. Course Markham park has a skeet/trap range and pistol and rifle ranges.

Be very careful biking in Southern Florida. Its the road rage capital of the US two years in a row and the car drivers are beyond horrible. They absolutely hate cyclists and will go out of their way to try to kill them. This is no exageration. I would not recommend riding on A1A or US1 anywhere.

If you get to Miami, Key Biscayne is a nice ride. Fairly safe, lots of bikes and all kinds of siteseeing if you want to indulge. It has the Seaquarium, several nice beaches, Jimbo's-a very cool outdoor bar that feels like you are in the remotest of the Florida keys.

I haven't rode A1A south of Ft. Lauderdale, but from Ft. Laud north to Palm Beach and Martin counties it's a really nice ride. There's traffic, but a lot of the way is bike lanes and I haven't experienced any more annoyed drivers than would be expected. Through Broward and Palm Beach, I'd say A1A is one of the safer places to ride.

If you stay in Hollywood they have a dedicated bike lane that staets down by the Hollywood hotel and goes up to the drawbridge....its not very long but its safe. You can rent a SS on the beach.

If you stay on SB your only real option is to get up super early on Saturday or Sunday morning and ride. A nice trip, albeit somewhat dangerous for a SF newbie would be to:

1. head across the Venetian causeway (when I rode it I'd go up and down the side streets which will double the distance) and go south on US1

2. continue over the drawbridge and head south to the rickenbacher causeway.

3. ride ot the old zoo, cruise around in there then cross the street and ride through some of the neighborhoods closest ot the lighthouse to see the cocaine era drug money houses.

4. You could bypass the rickenbacher and continue down to coconut grove after crossing the drawbridge. In the Grove you can visit Vizcaya od head down to Fairchild Tropical gardens.

Be careful in the grove. One wrong turn and you'll find yourself deep in the hood off of 32nd street. It may not be much of and issue becasue, at 9am, the bangers are either just getting home or they're passed out.

Jim

Wow!

You guys are great! I have even gained some insight into non bike stuff to do on my trip!
We are staying in hollywood for sure now. We are probably going to check out oleta, bike up north a bit and around Hollywood and just drive to the keys and rent bikes out there, south A1 doesn't sound that sexy!
That dangerous route in the grove sounds amazing!
If any of you come to ride the Candian rockies I'm the one to IM!

Shark Valley is a must.

http://www.great-florida-vacations.com/everglades-shark-valley.html

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=492620

a link in the clyde forum about one of my recent trips to shark valley. It is an awesome place to ride. I go 3 times a week