After a COLD December and January a few of the biking boys decided warmer climes sounded good and to head south.

Greg has a condo in Tarpon Springs and agreed to set up the trip logistics. He has done it before and excels at it. This trip would be no exception.

By the time all the ‘talking smart’ had ended there were only three of us set to go, Greg, TommyH and me.

Greg would arrive several days ahead of us.

We found a FANTASTIC plane fare with Southwest, $203 each, round trip, to Tampa from Milwaukee, and not leaving until noon!!! On the day of our departure, I picked up Tom and we headed to MKE airport by car.

Soon we were winging away from Milwaukee and the 15 degree temps. Two hours later we stepped off the plane in Tampa to a luscious 84 degrees AND actual humidity!!!

We had all shipped our bikes to Greg’s condo and had two days to put the bikes together, get squared away and also to get a few loop rides in from his condo. None of us had really ridden since last November, so it felt good to get back in the saddle. We tried to find some elevation to ‘stretch out legs’ but the only thing available were bridges!!!!

One needs to be careful when riding anywhere but ESPECIALLY in Florida where the traffic is constant and the drivers are OLD (yeah, older than us). Here was a little encounter we came upon that had just happened. Car vs Rider. Luckily, no injuries!!!

And of course we celebrated each of our ‘Tour de France’ training sessions with a nice evening meal. Usually starting with martinis . . .

. . . and how about  some nicely seared scallops . . .

. . . or a big pile of shrimp?

. . . and of course the dessert course.

Good friends, good weather,  good riding, good chow . . it was going to be a GREAT trip!!

Finally it was time to load up the rental van with our gear and head to the east cost of Florida . . .

. . . everything fit inside, with room to spare!!

. . . when on the road one must ‘make do’ which may mean a ‘roller dog’ for lunch, of course with all the fixin’s. No gator sandwiches yet!!!

We rode across the state to Pompano Beach and dropped off the rented van. By the time we were set to ride, it was about 5:00pm . . . and the sun was setting (Eastern Standard Time!!).

SO . . . it was only 15 miles but 15 miles of terror as we headed through the heavy traffic to our home for the night in Danio Beach. With our headlights blazing and tail lights blinking, we made sure the traffic saw the three of us whenever we passed through or around an intersection. Thank goodness for the Garmin 1000 bicycling gps. We had NO IDEA where we were and just followed the red line on the gps. Got to put your faith in the gadget. Finally we arrived at our hotel (no camping on this trip!), after a stop at a local liquor store!!! It was quite a ride, one that none of us EVER want to repeat!!!

After ‘settling our nerves’, we headed over to the Moon Thai Restaurant and had several more drinks and a GREAT dinner.

. . . some entrees were served in a foil peacock sculptures!!!  NO problems sleeping tonight!!

Today’s ride would take us through the major metro area of Miami . .  . in fact, right through downtown!!!

But first we would have some nice riding along the beach . . .

. . . what a difference daylight makes!!!

. . . as you can see from the palm fronds, today we would have a SE wind . . .

. . . that translated into a headwind for most of the day.

The paved trail turned to hardpacked in some semi-private areas . . .

. . . but didn’t really slow us down.

 Once we got into the metro area the paved paths ended. We had to ‘4-wheel’ up this embankment to get to the Hwy A1A . . .

. . . and this is where Greg’s tire problems started. He sliced his new rear tire, probably on some glass, walking up the embankment  . . .

. . . resulting in the start of his tire problems and his first flat . . . of course TommyH and I were on hand to give lots of unsolicited advice.

As we biked along the highway, on the left of the photo, we passed the Miami Boat show site, in the process of being set up for the 2018 event. Over 1,300 boats were on display. The ‘Grace E’ had a sushi bar, a salon, Jacuzzi, sleeping for 16 and went for a cool $92 million.

Some of the bars were already set up and open. Our rule . . . no drinking while riding!!

Soon we were rolling again and riding through downtown Miami.

Our rule in urban areas . . . don’t get doored or hit by someone pulling out of a parking spot.

As we rode south, soon I recognized the ‘CourtYard by Marriot’ Hotel where emJay had come for a meeting two years ago (i tagged along of course). A block away was the hotel where we stayed. Part of it was being refurbished when we were there and now the other half (blue netting to prevent falling debris from hitting tourists) is being completed. The palm trees at the top of the blue netting is where the pool is located. Spent a lot of time there. Swim up bar!!!

It took us most of the day to get through the greater Miami area and as we neared the southern part of the city the Chamber of Commerce rolled out the ‘green carpet’ for us, having heard we were members of the Midwest’s ‘premier biking and bowling’ group, mbbt!!!

. . . and here we were on our own version of the infamous Gina sponsored ‘V ride’.

About 3/4 of the way through Miami we picked up the ‘M’ bike trail. A 25 mile trail running under the elevated metro commuter rail. Nice riding on paved surfaces but there was a street crossing about every block and a half!!!

About 15 miles down the trail we ended our day in Cutler Bay, after a LONGGGGGGGG metropolitan ride.

 

Today we continued on the M trail for another 15 miles. The overhead metro commuter rail stopped and was replaced by a two lane, divided road that only allowed buses . This system fed commuters to the rail line. Next to it was a paved trail. Since it was Saturday, there was very little bus traffic and we had the trail pretty much to ourselves!!!

Dade County has a B-bike type loaner system in place. Some of the bikes need a little maintenance!!!

After a second breakfast n Homestead, we were on Card Sound Road. Card Sound paralleled Hwy 1 but had a LOT LESS traffic. Although it went to North Key, before turning south to Key Largo, and added 6 miles to our day, it was the way to go.

Nice riding in rural areas.

Soon we were on Key Largo, Hwy 1, and all the traffic.

On we rode until we came to the Seafarer Resort where we had our own little cottage . . .

nice digs . . .

. . . with a bedroom, living room and full kitchen!!!

. . . and a nice beach . . .

. . . which I used to help ‘decompress’ from all the urban riding!!!

. . . we enjoyed a nice sunset before we headed over to the Ballyhoo Restaurant  for drinks, appetizers and a lovely fish dinner!!!

Today would be our longest riding day of the trip, from Key Largo to Marathon. We were starting our ride through the direct path Hurricane Irma had taken across the keys . . .

. . . the morning started with Greg noticing his tire was soft . . . so time for another repair . . .

. . . although the cabana had a full kitchen we had only used the refrigerator. As you can see, the boys couldn’t finish all their beer from the night before and left it for the next guests. ‘The horror . . . the horror’!!!

. . . ahhh, we are going to need a ‘bigger boat’!!!

Floridians are not shy!!!!

Great views as we biked along, passing over bridge after bridge, from key to key . . . !!!!!

. . . but there was also evidence of the hurricane including many ‘mobile home parks’ where the infrastructure was gone. In most cases, the areas had been fenced off and there was a security guard posted 24/7.

Lots of sun, a tailwind and LOTS of traffic!!!!

Beautiful but noisy. Reminded us a lot of cycling two years ago on the main highway in Canada while on our Banff to Whitefish trip.

Hey . . . time to eat lunch and what better place than at Crazy Billy’s!!!

. . . actually had a healthy lunch. Fresh fish ceviche and salads!

This place didn’t blow away during the hurricane but just sort of  ‘sat down’ . . .

Soon we were in Marathon at our Holiday Inn and Suites . . .

. . . where the staff were very helpful. When Greg made the reservations they asked if we needed any special accommodations. He told them TommyH had taken a fall on his bike, slipping on ice, right before we had headed south. He was having trouble getting on and off his bike, needing to swing his leg up and over his panniers.. They were ready for us with this ‘senior aid’ for those with sore joints. I thought it was sort of overkill.

It’s always a little tricky getting our bikes into the rooms for safe keeping, especially my TREK 5000,  the former Lance Armstrong Tour de France model’.  Here Greg kept his locked up outside until the ‘coast was clear’. Better not to ask and just move them in when the opportunity arises.

Martinis, fish dinners and key lime pie rounded out the day at the Island Fish House restaurant.

Our last day of biking would take us from Marathon to Key West . . .

. . . we were looking forward to our ‘Hot Breakfast’ and it was fine  . . .

. . . although Greg’s orange juice looked a little weak. Where is Anita Bryant when you need her!!!!

Bikes paths popped up along the way and we rode them whenever they were available . . .

. . . and at the beginning of the Seven Mile Bridge there was a bike lane / fishing lane. One had to watch out for fishermen you passed on the bridges who were in the middle of casting. Didn’t want to ride behind them and get hooked as they were following through with their swing!!! . . .

. . . however there was not one across Seven Mile Bridge. You can see some of the hurricane damage to the old bridge, paralleling us . . .

. . . and many of the smaller keys remained ‘denuded’. Big Pine Plantation key took the brunt of the hurricane damage.

Seven miles of blue sky, blue water and lots of sunshine. Probably the best riding of the whole trip (other than the ever present traffic of course)

Here was Pigeon Key where the folks live ‘off the grid’. You can see the old bridge has an exit ramp to the key. The turnoff also discourages use of the entire bridge. Unfortunately, also for cyclists!

. . . soon we were back on land at Key West . . .

. . . where Hwy 1, which runs  2,368 miles from Ft Kent, Maine to Key West, Florida, ends.

. . . . of course, if one turns around to look the other way it’s the start of a new ride!!!!

. . . Key West is also the southernmost point of the US. As the tour guides say . . . ‘you are closer to Havana than to Miami’!!!

We would spend the rest of the day, and tomorrow until we boarded the ferry to Fort Myers at 6:00pm, taking in all that Key West had to offer.

. . . a great statue outside the museum.

Greg did a wonderful job lining up accommodations including the NYAH (Not Your Average Hotel). which was on a quiet street off the main drag.

We had our own room that slept five . . .

. . . on the top floor, with our own balcony . . .

. . . with great views of the pool . . .

. . . and the maze of other rooms. Quite a unique place. We did take advantage of their poolside happy hour, complete with goodies!!!

We spent a lot of time walking around taking in the sites . . .

. . . including this signboard that had a listing for Lone Rock, WI . . . imagine that!!

. . . end of the road for TommyH.

. . . the famous Sloppy Joe’s bar was too loud and crowded for old timers like us!!!

We did head down to Mallory Street . . .

full of buksters and merchants, all willing to lighten your wallet a little. It is the traditional location to watch the sunset . . .

. . . to see a 15 second act of daring, click here !!!!!

. . . have a fresh coconut drink . . .

. . . have your fortune told . . .

. . . make new friends . . .

. . . have another drink

and wait . . .

. . . for . . .

. . . the sunset and hopefully the infamous ‘green flash. What’s that? Go here for all the details!!!

On the way back to NYAH, in the dark, I was eating a nice little ice cream novelty as we walking three abreast, I took one for the team by falling into this crevasse  . . .

. . . falling into Greg to break my fall (no damage to him) before landing in this hole. Believe it or not, I did not drop the ice cream!!!!

The next day we continued touring Key West . . . if you wanted peaceful time, you could sit in this park which was off limits to those looking for a handout!!!!

Appreciating the large banyan trees in an urban environment . . .

. . . and the great number of unique bikes ridden by the locals . . .

. . . speaking of locals!!!!

Key West is basically like any other ‘tourist trap’. Mostly restaurants, bars and shop after shop of stuff that most people would not buy at home . . .

. . . but can’t pass up buying when on vacation. Recreational shopping is the #1 activity on vacations!!!

We also passed by the Hemingway home . . .

. . . but passed on the $14 entrance fee.

There was no shortage of gaily painted houses and once you got off the main drag, it was rather peaceful.

. . . more than one way to get around.

. . . no free drinks for those named Rick!!!

. . . there were several cruise ships in port today. Thousands of people running around with their name tags proudly displayed.

Chickens running all over town, too. . .

. . . interesting electric bike using what looked like a washing machine electic motor!!!

Finally 6:00pm arrived and it was time to board our ferry for a ‘three hour cruise’ to Fort Myers.

. . . our route to Ft Myers . . .

. . . when we got to the ferry at 5:15pm, there were already 350 people in line for the 6:00pm boarding. We had tickets, so that wasn’t an issue but I tired to play the elderly senior, with a damaged leg, to get my ‘caregivers’ and me to the front of the line. It didn’t work!!! Where is TommyH’s lift when you need it!!

I thought we would be on a car ferry. Not to be, it was a catamaran  people hauler . . .

. . . our bikes were lashed to the deck. Fairly smooth ride in the dark. limited food onboard, so it was time for another ‘roller’!!!

We stayed at the Neptune Resort after ‘de-ferrying’ at the dock and riding two miles in the dark. Always interesting to see what a place looks like in the daylight.

. . . as I looked out the window, I felt like I was still on the ferry as the waves were still rocking and rolling. Either that was a tidal wave, another hurricane was approaching or the cheap glass in the window was causing a refraction. Surfs up!!!

Greg picked up our rental van, we packed up and began our drive back to Tarpon Springs. Along the way we stopped at the Ding Darling museum. Ding was an environmentalist, artist and originator of the Federal Duck stamp.

. . . self explanatory!!!

. . . each of the annual Duck Stamp winning artist  stamp, since the inception of the program . . .

. . . nice museum  . . .

. . .  and we took the walking tour looking for gators . . . alright, that’s not a gator . . .

. . . harassing a gator? Problem solves itself!!!

A lot of ‘Guess the Scat’ displays . . .

Gator tracks while looking for chow. mmmmmm . . .  that pasty white tourist from WI looks yummy!!!

Is there a gator down there lurking . . . no swimming here.

See anything in the bush . . .

. . . look closer

oh yeah . . .

. . . this guy eventually made a lunge for a bird, for a nice mid day snack, but missed!

Next stop was touring the summer homes of Henry Ford and Thomas Edison. A great walking tour among the estates of both men . . .

The Edison house . . .

. . . among the structures was the Edison southern laboratory . . .

. . . well preserved homes

. . .both Edison and and Ford planted many species of trees, and had large orchards and vegetable gardens. Edison sold his extra produce in a local market!!

Several Ford vehicles were also on display.

. . . wonder where the word ‘pick-up’ comes from’?  When you ordered a utility vehicle from Ford, it was shipped to you in a wooden crate without body or flatbed. You needed to go to the railroad depot to ‘pick it up’. Usually the buyer would hire a local carpenter to build a cab and flatbed for the chassis out of the packing crate materials. Ingenious!!!

Soon we arrived in Tarpon Springs, walked around downtown, had a few drinks  . . .

. . . and a wonderful dinner of panko encrusted hogfish. YUM!

. . . and ‘Pots of Creme’. Nice way to end the trip

For the three breakfasts we had in Tarpon Springs BEFORE we left on the trip, we ate out. We vowed to eat at the famous Waffle House chain, sometime on this trip and TommyH said we should ‘save the experience’ for while we were biking. We never saw one on the whole trip!!!

Read about the guy who made his own breakfast here!!!

So  . . . out we went to one in Tarpon Springs the morning of our departure. ‘Big Special’ for all of us . . .

. . . I liked the mugs so much I bought one for Smoochie (I missed Valentines Day because of the trip).

Soon TommyH and I were on the plane back to MKE. Two hours later we landed to a sunny day with 35 degree temp day. 50 degrees different to what we had become accustomed!!!

Many thanks to Greg for setting up this trip and getting us out of the frozen tundra for a week, for Cindy and he being the perfect hosts and to Julia for providing housing for TommyH and me.

Next stop . . . Curacao!!!