Orlando to Cocoa via Weewahootie & Cocoa Water Plant Rd ?

[sanick]

Hello all. Looking for some advice re an upcoming trip.
I have a week booked at a paddling camp in Indian Harbour Beach in April, but I fly in/out of Orlando. Struck me as an opportunity to indulge my real love - cycling, so have extended a day on either end and will rent a bike in Orlando.
For avoiding the highways, all the forum-recomended bike routes across seem to take me too far north, but have google-mapped only one option to bike across and go south: http://g.co/maps/qp6yp.

My question is regarding the 40km (yes, I'm Canadian) stretch along Wewahootee Rd and Cocoa Water Plant Rd. Has anyone cycled this route, and can you tell me anything about it from a cycling perspective?

I talked with someone who drove their car along this route - all they said was "there are alligators - don't stop to pee "

[Perigee]

Even though I have cycled this area for years, I have never done that route or have even heard of it. It isn't likely that you will find any fresh water along the route, so bring plenty. I would also assume that these would be considered unimproved roads at best. Go to www.spacecoastvelosport.com and try contacting some of their members for more accurate information. If you don't receive any help from them, I should be able to scout out the route for you by April. I will subscribe to this thread to follow your progress if you need additional info. Even after getting to route 520, there isn't much until almost I-95.

[bikecrate]

I don't know if I would use Google bike mapping to plan the route. I find it's better to use Google street view to pick roads and plan the path myself. One problem I see with your west to east portion is Weewahootee Rd leg maybe unpaved (I've found if there isn't a Google street view of the road then most of the time it has turned out to be unpaved) . The other problem is the North to South route on S. Tropical Trail. I’ve ridden there on several vacations and at that time the road was two lanes with heavy traffic. I got buzzed and tailgated constantly. It was not a relaxing or pleasant experience. However, south of 404 it is nice. The traffic dropped off considerably. I’ve taken the Merritt Is./Cocoa Beach Causeway to cross over to the beaches. It has an okay outside lane and I think there is a bike path on part of it. Then I would use A1A to travel North to South. It has a decent outside lane on most of it. You just have to keep a look out for left and right turn cars. I’ve only vacationed there. One of the locals may have better ideas.

[sanick]

appreciate the advice!
I assume that "unimproved road" means the same as unpaved? I think Canada (at least in Nova Scotia) has less google streetview coverage, so mostly only the major roads are covered. Didn't realize the route I was looking at might be unpaved, so you've saved me an unpleasant surprise! S. Tropical Trail looked pretty, but being buzzed and tailgated doesn't sound so fun.

With that route down, and as the Beachline Expressway (528) is obviously unsuitable, the only other choice seems to be Irlo Bronson / Space Coast Hwy (192). I can guess it's a busy road, but streetview suggests there's a bikable lane, and I am used to similar roads where cars are driving 60mph roughly. Not my first choice, but I can't find any other way over that wouldn't exceed 70 miles to Indian Harbour (my limit for the first luggage-carrying ride of the season!) Any advice on this one?

[Perigee]

Route 192 is a good , very wide & divided highway with plenty of paved shoulder. In my opinion your next step would be to find a Bike Shop in Orlando that will rent you the proper bike (most of the rentals around here are coaster brake beach bikes). Contact that shop to see about transport from the airport to them and have them draw up the best route to 192.

[sanick]

I don't even know what a coaster-brake-beach-bike is, but doesn't sound like anything I want! It's all coming together now, including a bike shop (Kyles) that will deliver a proper road bike, in my size, with pannier rack, to my hotel - and pick it up again when I return.

Google street-view is great but not nearly as good as advise from a real cyclist - Thanks Perigee!

[Chris_in_Miami]

Glad to hear that you've worked out the details, please let us know how your visit goes!

[sci_femme]

Locomotion in Baldwin Park (Orlando subdivision) rents real bikes. www.locomotionbikes.com.

Good luck and have fun

SF