Day 6 - Discovering Big Pine & No Name Keys (Nov 2)

A change in the tour itinerary was made a few days back. Rather than bicycling another 50 miles directly into the wind (and riding the same trail/miles from Monday), the riders agreed with the tour director to go exploring on the Big Pine and No Name Keys. We met at 8am and were shuttled to Big Pine Key. The temperature was 80 degrees and the winds started out relatively low at 10mph out of the NE eventually reaching 17mph.

We made a stop at the Blue Hole and took a short walk to see a resident alligator. We had a SAG stop about 1/2 way through the ride. We saw very few Key Deer. We cycled to a dead end on the No Name Key and enjoyed the views.

We were on the last two miles of the ride, and unbelievably, Alan had another flat. We hoped it was due to using a CO2 cartridge to fill the new tube from the day before’s flat tire. We used a floor pump from the SAG vehicle and away he pedaled. He made it the last two miles to the No Name Pub at which point all bikes were loaded onto a truck and shuttled back to the hotel. Unfortunately, the tire went flat; fortunately we were done cycling for the tour. We cycled 22 miles for the day.

Inside the No Name Pub, the riders enjoyed a cool drink (water, soda or beer) and experienced the sight of dollar bills hanging everywhere.

The weeklong ride was everything that we had hoped for. I rode a total of 203 miles and Alan evened up to 210 miles. His extra trip over Seven Mile Bridge on Friday earned him bragging rights for the most miles of the week.

The Blue Hole was originally a limestone quarry. Over time it has filled with a “layer” of fresh water over the salt water below.

A resident alligator, just outside the trail was relaxing in the sun.

Artwork outside a local bike shop.

Our SAG stop on Big Pine Key.

Pat leading out our group of riders. Just behind him are Chris, Joyce and Alan.

Views from Big Pine Key Park.

The animal in this photo is not a dog, it is a Key Deer.

We reached a dead end on the No Name Key and captured the moment in photo.

Originally opened in 1931 as a general store, the No Name Pub opened as a tavern in 1936. We ended the week long ride here.

My friend Sue asked us to look for her dollar bill she “posted” in 2018.

More images of the dollar bills tacked up throughout the bar.

A Key Deer crossing the road and I snapped this picture from inside the shuttle van.

Day 5 - Key West to Marathon (Nov 1)

It was a usual start to the morning with a temperature of 79 and winds from the ENE at 21 mph and gusts of 27. What was different is that we rode into the wind the whole day and as we approached Marathon, the rode curved just enough to make it directly head on. For my fellow cycling crazies: the first 36.5 miles I averaged 11.3mph. For the last seven miles, I averaged 9.9mph. For most of the riding days we took it easy and stopped often (and crossed back and forth across the highway a lot), however today was more like a mission to just get it done. The reason I have two different averages was because when we got to the Seven Mile Bridge, I opted to shuttle over the bridge and pick the ride back up after the bridge. Alan on the other hand rode the entire 50.5 miles (to my 43.5). In fact, he was the only rider to complete the entire ride today, He recounted that when he was riding across the bridge he thought: “fudge, if I’m only going 8 mph, it’s going to take me almost an hour to cross!” It took him almost an hour, and those were not his exact words :-) The grade of the bridge climb was made much more difficult by the amount of headwind!

Before we get to the bridge, there is more to the story. Alan had another flat today just after crossing a different bridge. Not just a small piece of glass or wire but an entire screw and washer!! At that point, I thought it was a sign to not cross the Seven Mile Bridge and decided to shuttle. In addition, that bridge is pretty darn scary without a strong headwind.

While Alan crossed the bridge, several of us watched kite surfers at a small local beach. They would actually lift up into the air and fly! Three riders, including me, were shuttled across Seven Mile Bridge where we met back up with Alan and cycled the last seven miles back to Marathon.

The evening ended at the Key Colony Inn for our farewell dinner. I enjoyed a shrimp and lobster pasta carbonara. One of the riders, Shirley is an expert seamstress and she brought three quilts to raffle among the riders and staff. The quilts were bike and Florida themed. Our waitress pulled names out of a brown paper bag; amazingly three men won the prizes. I had my fingers crossed but was not lucky enough, however, Alan was one of the winners! Considering his bad luck with flat tires, he was due some good luck. Just when I thought we were wrapping up our meal, dessert arrived and my slice of dessert had a birthday candle. Unbeknown to me, Alan had asked the waitress to include a candle on whatever dessert that I ordered because he was certain I would order dessert. He was right!

View from the hotel in Key West.

Joyce and Chris starting back up after the first SAG stop at Baby’s Coffee.

This blimp is called “Fat Albert, which is part of a Tethered Aerostat Radar System. In the past it kept an eye on air and sea traffic from the Caribbean, similar to the “eyes in the sky” in the southwest United States. 

Part of the trail among the mangroves had a shady canopy.

We found the SS Minnow from Gilligan’s Island!

Alan managed to get a screw into the sidewall of his tire. Thanks to Adam, once a gain, for his help in fixing this flat!

A close up of the cause of the flat.

The same bridge as the above photo; this photo shows the large missing section near West Summerland Key.

Kite surfers on Little Duck Key; one surfer flying through the air!

At one point, there were six surfers and their kites in the water/air at the same time. I only managed to get five in a single photo.

The quilt that Alan won.

When looking closely at the quilt, the images of a stitched bicycle can be seen.

A birthday dessert (tiramisu).

Day 4 - Exploring Key West (Oct 31)

We started riding about 8:30 am on an optional ride with Joe. Today the entire group did the optional ride into Key West. The temperature was 81 and the winds were out of the east at 15mph with gusts of 25. When we finished our 20 mile ride, the wind increased to 24mph and the gusts were up to 29mph . We visited several of the prime “tourist stops” including the Southern Most Point in the continental United States, and the Mile 0 marker for US 1. We also enjoyed breakfast at the Banana Café which specializes in crepes. Six of the group had one of a variety of crepes; I opted for a Banana’s Foster waffle. It did not disappoint. After the ride, everyone was on their own for the afternoon.

Alan and I visited the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory. It was hard to choose just a few photos to include in the blog because there were so many beautiful butterflies, moths and birds. Afterwards we ventured to the Southernmost Pint Brewpub - Blast Beer Company. We each had a flight and shared a cashew and beet hummus with tortilla chips. The humus was the star of the show and served as an appetizer because then we headed to the Waterfront Brewery for dinner. With dinner, I sampled a key lime cider and it was my favorite tasting of the day.

We ended the day at Mallory Square for the sunset ritual. The sun cooperated and provide an array of yellows and oranges. After sunset the rest of the group headed to the Conch Republic for dinner. We headed back to the hotel early in anticipation of 50 miles into a headwind the next day.

Sunset at Mallory Square

On the way to Downtown Key West.

Our group in a quick photo on the way to the southern most point in the continental U.S.

Breakfast at the Banana Café.

An iconic photo stop.

Why does a chicken cross the road?

I’ve had so much Key Lime pie this trip, that I only took a photo at this shop.

A beautiful Blue Morpho at the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory.

An Atlas moth. I wish I had a reference for size in this picture because it was at least seven inches across.

This Malachite butterfly was one of my favorites. The photo doesn’t do the green justice.

Alan and I visited this brewery.

Sunset at Mallory Square.

Day 3 - Marathon to Key West (Oct 30)

We started riding from the hotel in Marathon at about 8am. The weather was the typical 79 degrees with winds of 23 mph out of the ENE with gusts of 30 mph. We stayed together as a group much of the beginning of the ride so that we could cross the Seven Mile Bridge with more visibility. After crossing the bridge, Alan and I were mostly on our own, however we were never really that far apart from the rest of the riders. I was glad to finish the Seven Mile Bridge because such a long stretch plays on my fear of heights. Further down the road, we all met up at the first SAG stop at Boondocks restaurant. Alan and I opted to purchase lunch and skip the SAG snacks. It was a good way to enjoy some shade as well.

Much of the day entailed crossing bridges and moving from one side of the highway to the other to avoid closed section or construction. At one point in the ride when we crossed the road, the pink arrow markers, that the crew puts on the pavement to help navigation for the riders, had been moved by some unknown local. The five riders ahead of us turned the wrong way (following the direction of the arrows). I thought something was not right, but before we had determined the prank, the other riders were on the way back and were just a bit frustrated. These arrows are biodegradable and decompose with the first rainfall, so they really cause no harm. I am not sure what would motivate someone to stop in the middle of a trail and road, to turn the direction of arrows clearly placed down to help bike riders. We eventually all met up at the second SAG stop at Baby’s Coffee & Roasting House. It was started in 1991 and is the southern most coffee roaster in America.

The riding day ended at about 2:30pm with similar winds as the morning and a total of 50 miles. My weather app indicated a temperature of only 81, but it sure felt warmer in the sun. Later in the evening the group had dinner at the resort’s restaurant.

A section of the old Seven Mile Bridge.

Group photo before the start of Day 3.

A tree grows along the old Seven Mile Bridge. The tree, an Australian Pine is named Fred. and survived Hurricane Irma in 2017.All of the riders stopped on the bridge to take a photo.

Fred the tree in the background of this photo.

We did not see Key Deer on this day.

Boondocks was the location for the first SAG stop. Alan and I opted for a full lunch inside the restaurant.

“Customers” inside of Boondocks.

A section of the trail nestled among mangroves and other trees.

Baby’s Coffee was the second SAG stop for the day. Alan opted for a coffee inside the shop.

More vegetation along the shore as we approach the Key West area.

A photo of one of the bridges we crossed on this day. After crossing, we actually went under the bridge to get to the trail on the other side of the road. From time to time we have to move from one side of the highway to the other.

A photo going under the bridge (from the prior photo).

Entering the resort that we stayed at Wednesday and Thursday nights.

At the end of the ride a cool drink awaited us once again.

Dinner at the Yellow Fin located at the Ocean’s Edge Resort.

After several cloudy evenings, we were treated to a colorful sunset on this evening.

Day 2 - Marathon (Oct 29)

Today was officially a YOYO day - you’re on your own, however, we started the day with an optional ride hosted by one of the tour volunteers, Joe. Only Alan and I did this optional ride of 20 miles. Joe took us to the site of the Old Seven Mile Bridge. Currently only two miles are restored and it is for pedestrian and bicycle use only. The current Seven Mile Bridge is alongside the old bridge. When we started riding at 8am it was 79 degrees with a 22 mph wind out of the ENE and gusts of 29 mph. The 9 miles out was a breeze, pun intended, but the trip back was tough into those winds.

After the ride, Alan and I headed to Anne’s Beach. Our ride literature indicated that you might spot an octopus while wading, however, we only saw a few small crabs. After time at the beach, we headed to the Islamorada Brewery & Distillery for lunch. We had the most delicious hamburger topped with bacon, cheese, pineapple and teriyaki sauce. We also sampled several of their locally made beers. My favorite was the No Wake Zone a coconut key lime blonde ale and Alan’s favorite was their Snake Creek oatmeal stout.

Later in the evening for dinner we ate at Frank’s Grill, an Italian restaurant, that seemed to be favored by locals (or so it seemed from the chatter we heard between customers and the staff).

At the start of the “old” Seven Mile Bridge.

Where the restored section of the bridge ends.

The new Seven Mile Bridge on the left, and the old one on the right.

View from the old Seven Mile Bridge,

Along the Atlantic side of the Keys.

The boardwalk at Anne’s Beach.

Along the shore within Anne’s Beach.

Our lunch stop for the day,

Day 1 - Key Largo to Marathon (Oct 28)

Our group activity actually started the day before at a rider meeting held at the Fairfield Inn in Marathon. We met riders and staff; a small group of eight riders. We shared our stories of what brought each of us to this Keys ride. Most of the riders agreed that they were interested in the “pampered” aspect of the tour. We are riding with Bubba’s Pampered Pedalers. Alan and I chose the ride because Alan wanted to experience the Keys via bicycle.

On Monday morning we began our ride. We were shuttled from Marathon to Key Largo. We began riding about 9:30 am and the temperature was 78 with winds of 17 mph out of the ENE and gusts over 21 mph (making for great tailwinds). The temperatures have not varied much from lows around 78 to highs of 80/81. The route took across many bridges from key to key. At times we had to change what side of the road we cycled on due to damage to the bike trail. At times we also cycled in the road, but those times were limited. Alan and I were part of a small group of several riders who took a short “detour” into Long Key State Park. A local ranger explained that the campground had been destroyed during Hurricane Irma in 2017 and was never rebuilt. He also described the devastation to the mangrove trees; we could see new mangroves, just a few feet high, within the old, fallen trees.

Shortly after leaving the state park, we were on bridge, before Duck Key, when Alan got the first flat of the bike ride. The bridges with pedestrian/cyclist trails also have people fishing. Thus, the flat culprit was a fish hook with a tiny barb that made it very difficult to pull out by hand. We called the mechanic, Adam, for assistance. Alan walked his bike at least a quarter of a mile to get to the end of the bridge where Adam met us with a pair of pliers and a set of helping hands. Adam waited at the last bridge of the day to be sure we didn’t pick up any more errant hooks. We cycled 48 miles.and were the last ones to the hotel and were greeted with an icy cold Yuengling! Later that evening we had a group dinner at the Sunset Grill.

Our group, after crossing a bridge, at about mile 30 of the ride.

Halloween decor along the roadway.

A prime photo spot along the route at the Rain Barrel Village in Islamorada.

Our first SAG stop was at the location of the Keys Hurricane Monument. It was erected in memory of the civilians and veterans that perished during the great hurricane of 1935. An 18 foot tidal surge destroyed everything on Upper and Lower Matecumbe Keys, Windley Key, Craig Key and Long key. This photo is the back of the monument. There are ashes from hundreds of the victims in the crypt. The crypt is dug into the bedrock and extends above the floor of the monument.

The front of the Hurricane Monument.

It is impossible to capture the color of the water as you bike along the Overseas Highway - US 1.

Long Key Post Office.

Some of the destroyed mangroves inside of Long Key State Park.

A few new growth mangroves can be seen in this photo.

Still inside Long Key State Park.

Alan riding on the bridge - just before he discovered the hook in his tire.

The hook culprit.

Back at the hotel enjoying a brew and left over Key Lime pie from the prior night’s rider meeting.

A group dinner at the Sunset Grill.

The Sunset Grill restaurant has a pool for customer use!