Southeast - Bringing my bike down to Ft. Myers

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bcoppola
01-29-10, 06:15 AM
We'll be doing the "sunbird" thing for the first time, for the month of Feb. in Ft. Myers (specifically, N. Ft. Myers). If any Caloosa Riders are reading this, I might join you on some rides! I'll be the short goateed guy on a vintage red Schwinn Super Le Tour.

Our rental is right off Hwy. 78 (Bayshore) & I-75. 78 looks to be the only way to anywhere from there - is it safe to ride as far as, say, Slater or Del Prado? I'd like to string together some routes thru N. Ft Myers & Cape Coral for solo rides. Mrs. doesn't ride.

I downloaded and printed parts of the Lee Co. bike map from the Caloosa Riders site so that's a help already.

Should have posted this before but I forgot that BF has regional forums :innocent:

BILLB58
02-03-10, 08:48 AM
78 is rideable all the way to Pine Island.......traffic at the shopping centers around Del Prado is pretty heavy but doable, just watch the right hook turn ins by the malls.....ever so strongly recommend a very bright rear red flasher running 24/7......shoulder is narrow but "ok". Be careful riding thru Matlacha as you are going to Pine Island...once on the island, there is a bike trail north to Bokeelia or go the other way on it to St. James City

I enjoy going the other way on 78......go out to the T intersection at RT 31...only area to watch is going under I75. Once at Rt31, turn left for about a mile (good shoulder) then turn right again on 78...called North River Road......no shoulders but light traffic......ride up to Alva, on the way, stop at Franklin Locks (I usually refill my water bottles)(Clean rest rooms)....or just beyond, stop at the park.....very nice mtn bike trail there.....once in Alva, there is a small park on river past bridge with "ok" rest rooms.

Sanibel/Captiva is a nice place to ride also.......put bike in car and drive to the "Tangier ??" outlet mall about a mile before Sanibel Bridge and park there....ride over bridge to Sanibel.....Sanibel bridge is $6 toll, bikes don't pay....use the marked small little bike trail turnout at toll station...courtesy to toll taker so he doesn't have to have a supervisor ok your no-pay passage.