Florida Keys?
#1
Thread Starter
Full Member


Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 215
Likes: 128
From: St. Louis, Missouri
Bikes: Trek Émonda SL 5, Trek Checkpoint SL 5, Giant Trance X 2, Trek Farley
Florida Keys?
Does anyone know how bikable are the Florida Keys? I've been vaguely aware of the Keys, but this is the first time I've been in a cycling frame of mind when I glanced at a map. It seems like it would be an awesome way to vacation.
Spot checking with Google Street View, it seems like some stretches of US-1, especially between islands, are just highway with shoulder. Is it even legal to bike on the Overseas Highway?
Spot checking with Google Street View, it seems like some stretches of US-1, especially between islands, are just highway with shoulder. Is it even legal to bike on the Overseas Highway?
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 4,869
Likes: 1,108
From: Tallahassee, FL
It is legal.
There's a bit of info in this thread:
When to tour the Florida Keys
And probably in a few other threads i the Southeast folder.
No personal experience.
There's a bit of info in this thread:
When to tour the Florida Keys
And probably in a few other threads i the Southeast folder.
No personal experience.
#3
Senior Member



Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 12,727
Likes: 2,105
From: Madison, WI
Bikes: 1961 Ideor, 1966 Perfekt 3 Speed AB Hub, 1994 Bridgestone MB-6, 2006 Airnimal Joey, 2009 Thorn Sherpa, 2013 Thorn Nomad MkII, 2015 VO Pass Hunter, 2017 Lynskey Backroad, 2017 Raleigh Gran Prix, 1980s Bianchi Mixte on a trainer. Others are now gone.
I had a great time there, February 2017. That was before hurricane Irma, so anything I say might be wrong now.
At that time, the state parks in the Keys were often full. We stayed at state parks there, my touring partner lined up the parks. One of the parks, they let us camp in the picnic area but we could not set up until evening and had to be out by early morning. My touring partner did a great job of talking to state park personnel before the trip so we knew where we could get in.
There was a big RV park in Key West, they charged us about $100 for one night in a tiny little RV space that was half used for a big dumpster.
The photo below is a campground on Key Largo we stayed at, they were less than $50 if my memory is correct.

Don't be afraid of the bridges, you get used to them. But this would be a bad place to have a flat. There is a lot of debris on the shoulders.

We did Everglades before the Keys, I really enjoyed that too.

We started in Marco Island, went through Big Cyprus, then down to Everglades, and last the Keys. Then a ferry back to Marco Island which is where our vehicle was. I left my GPS on for the ferry ride, so that is why it is plotted on the map.

I took the photo below standing on a bridge on the highway through Big Cyprus. Lots of wildlife.

Be ready for hot and humid weather. My touring partner had some difficulty with the heat.
At that time, the state parks in the Keys were often full. We stayed at state parks there, my touring partner lined up the parks. One of the parks, they let us camp in the picnic area but we could not set up until evening and had to be out by early morning. My touring partner did a great job of talking to state park personnel before the trip so we knew where we could get in.
There was a big RV park in Key West, they charged us about $100 for one night in a tiny little RV space that was half used for a big dumpster.
The photo below is a campground on Key Largo we stayed at, they were less than $50 if my memory is correct.

Don't be afraid of the bridges, you get used to them. But this would be a bad place to have a flat. There is a lot of debris on the shoulders.

We did Everglades before the Keys, I really enjoyed that too.

We started in Marco Island, went through Big Cyprus, then down to Everglades, and last the Keys. Then a ferry back to Marco Island which is where our vehicle was. I left my GPS on for the ferry ride, so that is why it is plotted on the map.

I took the photo below standing on a bridge on the highway through Big Cyprus. Lots of wildlife.

Be ready for hot and humid weather. My touring partner had some difficulty with the heat.
#4
Real busy in seson. We car camped there in a swing don the state after an Everglades canoe trip. We found tent camping in campgrounds scarce and usually expensive. We paid too much to camp on concrete where they usually park a motorhome or trailer. Bad weather for snorkeling and scuba dive boats going out left motels with a bunch of empty rooms so we got a cheap room. They had free use of sit on top kayaks on the back bay and free loaner snorkeling equipment. It wasn't a real reef, but we had fun.
Not sure if a camping tour can work out well there or not. It is a lovely location with lots of nice diversions.
Not sure if a camping tour can work out well there or not. It is a lovely location with lots of nice diversions.
__________________
Pete in Tallahassee
Check out my profile, articles, and trip journals at:
https:/www.crazyguyonabike.com/staehpj1
Pete in Tallahassee
Check out my profile, articles, and trip journals at:
https:/www.crazyguyonabike.com/staehpj1
#5
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,051
Likes: 106
From: Kingwood, TX
Bikes: Cervelo Caledonia Rival AXS eTap, Blue Norcross AL, Lynskey Helix
I rode the Keys twice, once in 2017 and again in 2022. It was May and the weather was good with a little rain. The ride was on roads and bike paths. Generally the bike paths were good but several ended with warning pushing me on the roads. The drivers were accommodating especially on the 7 Mile Bridge.
https://www.texbiker.net/blog/2022/0...-florida-keys/
https://www.texbiker.net/blog/2022/0...ring-key-west/
https://www.texbiker.net/blog/2017/0...-fl-bike-ride/
https://www.texbiker.net/blog/2017/0...-fl-bike-ride/
https://www.texbiker.net/blog/2022/0...-florida-keys/
https://www.texbiker.net/blog/2022/0...ring-key-west/
https://www.texbiker.net/blog/2017/0...-fl-bike-ride/
https://www.texbiker.net/blog/2017/0...-fl-bike-ride/




