2018
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Enjoy one of your best bike riding experiences with clear ocean water on one side and the gulf on the other. The Florida Keys hold many treasures for the traveler, especially on your bicycle.
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The Keys offer a tropical blend of Caribbean blue waters, tropical foliage and stunning sunsets.
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Come enjoy a relaxing vacation on your bicycle while taking in all the Keys have to offer, allowing you to relax in a hammock, enjoy beautiful sunsets and take home amazing photos..
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We are staying at the newly constructed (completed winter 2016 ) Hilton Garden Inn in Key West and the newly constructed Courtyard by Marriott in Marathon (completed spring 2016); in fact Vacation Bicycling participants were some of the first people to stay in the hotel)!
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Stay the final night nestled on 17 acres of waterfront paradise and private beach at the Key Largo Bay Marriott Beach Resort.
Day 1, Saturday
Check into the Courtyard Key Largo throughout the day. Enjoy the sandy beach or pool; or go snorkeling or scuba at nearby John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is the "Dive Capital of the World" and a National Marine Sanctuary. In the evening meet new friends during the Welcome Dinner and Get Together scheduled for around 5:00pm.
Lodging:
Courtyard Marriott Key Largo
Key Largo, Florida
(Internet, outdoor swimming pool, whirlpool, sailing, coin-laundry, snorkeling and hair dryer)
Hobo's
Key Largo, Florida
Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor (2014); #1 ranked seated restaurant in Key Largo
- House Tossed Salad – Lettuce, tomato, onion, red cabbage, shredded carrot & pepperoncinis.
Menu choices:
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Seafood Del Mar – Fresh fish baked with Italian seasonings, topped with sauteed shrimp, scallops, diced tomatoes, scallions and asiago cheese. Finished with an addictive Key Lime beurre blanc.
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Steak Au Poivre – Choice 8 oz. New York sirloin flambeed in Cognac, fresh crushed peppercorns and a creamy brown sauce.
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Stuffed Shrimp – Overflowing with seasoned crabmeat and finished with Key Lime peppercorn beurre blanc.
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Chicken in Paradise Pasta – Sauteed mushrooms, scallions, artichoke hearts and roasted garlic spinach tossed in a creamy asiago-parmesan, feta sauce. Topped with blackened chicken breast and served over spaghettini.
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Vegetarian Option: Paradise Pasta – Sauteed mushrooms, scallions, artichoke hearts and roasted garlic spinach tossed in a creamy asiago-parmesan, feta sauce served over spaghettini.
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All non-pasta/salad entrees served with house special cole slaw and a choice of fresh vegetable medley, rice pilaf, pasta with meat sauce, baked potato, seasoned fries or black beans & rice.
Day 2, Sunday
Start your ride from Key Largo and ride to Marathon, riding to the mid-point of the Florida Keys. Visit the world famous Robbie's tarpon fish feeding. Once arriving at Marathon take a snorkeling cruise, go paddle boarding, relax by the pool or ride to the white sandy beaches of Sombrero Beach.
Bicycling route: 23 miles, riding to Robbies; 46 miles, riding to Marathon
Breakfast:
Supplied by hotel
Lodging:
Courtyard Marriott Florida Keys
-Opened in winter 2015/2016
Marathon, Florida
(Internet, swimming pool, hair dryer, 24-hour fitness center; on the water)
Dinner:
FL Keys Steak & Lobster House
Marathon, Florida
- Soup & Salad Bar
Menu choices:
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Bone in New York Strip – 16oz Angus Bone-in Strip grilled to perfection
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Pasta Primavara – Al dente pasta with lots of fresh vegetables in a buttery and creamy Parmesan sauce.
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Broiled or Fried Seafood Platter – Broiled: Fresh Mahi, shrimp, scallops and a crab cake broiled to perfection; Fried: Fresh Mahi, conch, shrimp, scallops, oysters and calamari deep fried to a golden brown
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Broiled or Fried Shrimp – Jumbo shrimp battered and fried or broiled
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Sea Scallops – Plump sea scallops can be fried or broiled with lemon, butter, white wine and seasoning
Day 3 Monday
Take a leisurely day, riding over 7-mile bridge, one of the greatest and most beautiful rides that you will always remember. Enter the Lower Keys and ride through Key Deer country. Arrive in Key West, where "Everything Old is New Again." Enjoy the sights and unique culture of the country's southern most location, visit the palm-lined streets and discover gingerbread mansion, tin-roofed conch houses and nationally acclaimed unique restaurants and pubs.
Bicycling route: 39 miles, starting the ride after 7-mile bridge or 44 miles, riding to Key West
Breakfast:
Supplied by hotel
Lodging:
Hilton Garden Inn Key West - The Keys Collection
Key West, Florida
-Brand new, opening in April 2016
Key West, Florida
(Internet, swimming pool, hair dryer, 24-hour fitness center)
Dinner:
On your own
Day 4, Tuesday
Spend the day exploring Key West. Wake-up and choose which unique Key West restaurant to have breakfast, including the famous Blue Heaven restaurant. If you decide to leave your bike at the hotel, ride the Old Town Trolley to get an overview of the history and sights of Key West and to ride downtown and Duval Street (2017 ticket prices $28.30 or $25.47 age 62+) As you ride or walk through Key West enjoy a bite to eat at the many restaurant choices including Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville. Of course also enjoy the shopping along Duval street which features every type of store and gallery. Or spend the day relaxing at the pool.
Bicycling route: explore Key West on your own
Breakfast:
On your own.
Lodging:
Hilton Garden Inn Key West - The Keys Collection
Key West, Florida
-Brand new, opening in April 2016
Key West, Florida
(Internet, swimming pool, hair dryer, 24-hour fitness center)
Day 5, Wednesday
Leave Key West and head to Marathon. Exploring and visiting the places as your ride along and near the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Take time to stop for lunch at Bahia Honda State Park with beaches that are ranked best in the world. View the oceans and go for a swim, or just relax watching the waves.
Bicycling route: 37 miles, riding to Bahia Honda State Park or 44 miles, riding to Marathon.
Breakfast:
Supplied by the hotel.
Lodging:
Courtyard Marriott Marathon Florida Keys
-Brand new, opened in winter 2015
Marathon, Florida
(Internet, swimming pool, hair dryer, 24-hour fitness center; on the water)
Dinner:
On your own
Day 6, Thursday
Ride by Long Key State Park a 65 acre protected area of historic sites, wild flowers and tropical trees. Kayak, canoe or hike through Long Key State Park before continuing on your ride. Or paddleboard ($15) or play a round of 9-hole, par-3 golf ($15) including club rental (2016 prices) before leaving Marathon on your bike. Stop by Robbie's one last time and visit the little stores, you may have missed on Sunday, celebrating with your new friends during the farewell dinner.
Bicycling route: 24 miles, riding to Robbies; 51 miles, riding to Courtyard Key Largo (where you car is parked, if you drove to ride start; or 56 miles, riding to Marriott Resort Key Largo
Breakfast:
Supplied by hotel
Lodging:
Key Largo Bay Marriott Beach Resort
17 lush acres of waterfront paradise
Key Largo, Florida
(Internet, private beach, outdoor pool, fitness center, hairdryer, coin laundry, kayaking, snorkeling and spa )
Dinner:
Gus' Grille
Key Largo, Florida
Key Largo, Florida
(Dine overlooking the ocean)
- Island House Salad - romaine, tomato, cucumber, jicama carrot slaw, vinaigrette dressing or Conch Chowder - tender conch simmered in herbed tomato broth
Entrees:
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Blackened Chicken Penne - Roasted red peppers, brocoli, garlic cream sauce, parmesan cheese, garlic crostini
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Yellowtail Snapper - Pan-seared, white wine caper sauce, baby spinach, cilantro tomato salsa, roasted fingerling potatoes
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New York Strip Steak - Grilled center cut steak, red wine jus, garlic mashed potato, crispy onions
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Shrimp Scampi - Garlic tomato butter sauce, linguini, garlic crostini
Day 7, Friday
Ride and explore Key Largo and John Pennekamp Park on your own.
Breakfast:
On your own
Please note all trip information is based on previous trips and/or contracted lodging and restaurants and is subject to change based on availability or specific trip needs.
Riding difficulty:
Riders who are comfortable riding at least 10 miles per hour should have a very enjoyable trip without any hills (the only "big hill" is Seven Mile Bridge). All riders may ride at their own pace, slow or fast. If a rider is tired or feels like riding less on any day, the SAG vehicle will transport the rider to the hotel.
Arriving by automobile:
Drive to Courtyard Key Largo Resort, 99751 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, Florida 33037, leaving your car at the hotel for the duration of the trip.
Arriving by Plane:
You can also fly into Miami's International Airport (MIA) and take Keys Shuttle (888) 765-9997 to the Florida Keys.
Deposit:
$200 due to reserve your spot and the remainder due 45 days before the trip start.
What's included:
- Hotel lodging
- Ride packets including maps and cue sheets (directions)
- Fully sagged including ride leaders, luggage transport, vehicle transportation and rider assistance
- Breakfast most mornings (see above)
- Dinner with the group three nights (see above)
- Fun and Enjoyment
Bicycles:
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Most riders bring their own bicycles by automobile
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To ship your bike, we would suggest using shipbikes.com or bikeflight.com for shipping. The may be shipped to Courtyard Marriott, 99751 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, FL 33037
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To rent a bicycle or to assist with bicycle assembly Key Largo Bike, 305-395-1551, the bicycle shop will deliver the bicycles to the hotel
Weather in May in the Keys:
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Average High 86°F
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Average Low 67°F