Touring through Florida?
 

I'm planning a mostly self supported bike tour for the month of June, starting at Jacksonville and working my way down to Key West

Has anyone toured through Florida before? Any thoughts of routes or places I should definitely go? Think it will be too hot during June?

Also, if anyone's interesting in joining me, that'd be awesome. :thumb:

I live in south Florida. I have toured from Pensacola to Ft. Lauderdale. You couldn't
pay me enough money to do it in June. 95 deg temps... 90% humidity...lots of rain...
possible hurricanes...south-east headwind... mosquitos are like a plague. Camping is out of the question unless you are a glutton for punishment. Then there is the traffic. I would not pedal any further south than Ft. Lauderdale. South Florida has some of the worst, rudest, most incompetent drivers on the planet. Hit and runs are a very common occurance here. I could probably find one in the local paper right now if I tried. The Keys are full of people who have had too much sun and alchohol, a bad combination.

Sorry to rain on your parade, but those are the facts. This trip would be much more pleasant between November and March. If you must go, A1A is your route for most of the trip.

Cooper noted many of the drawbacks. I don't know about the poor drivers, but I can support the hot and humid claim, although the climate along the Atlantic coast is more pleasant than the interior of Florida due, I suppose, to the moderating effect of the ocean and breezes. However, the sun can bake you on long rides. If you plan to stay in hotels, that would greatly help, I think. Camping, especially if ocean breezes are hard to find, can be unpleasant without air conditioning. Route A1A is nice since it takes you near the coast, and in urban areas there tends to be a sidewalk/jogging path that could be bicycle friendly. In more rural areas, however, often no shoulder will be present and A1A will have heavy traffic. Use Google maps street view to check A1A in various spots. I agree with Cooper that touring in winter months in Florida would be very nice.

I'm planning a ride (via A1A) from the Broward area (I'm in Coral Springs) down to Key West - in June. I'd be MORE than happy to be going with someone else for the last 200m.

January 18, 2010/Miami http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/cr...in-184096.html

April 29, 2011/Miami http://miami.cbslocal.com/2011/04/29...-motorcyclist/

January 3, 2011/Miami http://miami.cbslocal.com/2011/01/03...miami-hit-run/


February 28, 2011/Miami http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/W...117052553.html


December 25, 2010/ Lauderdale http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/tr...d-1145823.html

Thanks for shedding some light cooper. I think I'll consider touring further north.

I agree with what has been said already. The drivers here in South Florida are not very friendly toward cyclists.

I am completely amazed by the hostility towards cyclists, by drivers in Florida every time I ride there. I don't know what it is, but it sure has been my experience over several tours through the state. If any one has an explanation, I'd be glad to hear it!