Fun in the Sun: Fort Myers to Key West, FL

† Explanation of BAC Ride Fee – This fee is not included in the Estimated Cost and is non-refundable once submitted. The Ride Fee for US and Canada is $85 and $150 for all other countries, both are per participant.

Ride Description

OVERVIEW

Escape the cold with some fun in the sun! Also, what better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day!  This 10 day, approximately 311 mile, February tour will have you cycling from Fort Myers to Key West, Florida, returning to Fort Myers via the Key West Express Ferry.  That’s right, you only have to pedal one way! The group will meet in Fort Myers on Sunday, February 7 in time for a group social/happy hour and dinner. We will arrive Key West Saturday, February 13 for a two night stay before returning via the Key West Express Ferry on Monday, February 15.  The tour officially concludes Tuesday, February 16 after breakfast. Included in this tour is a sunset dinner cruise, an airboat ride in the Everglades, and luggage transport. Bicycles will also be transported back while participants ride the Ferry.  

Each day’s riding distances are reasonable considering the flat terrain and  moderate daytime temperatures; averaging in the 70”s. Along the route enjoy looking for alligators, exploring the Everglades, visiting local hot spots, feeding the tarpon, paddling a kayak, walking the beach, and riding the Overseas Highway at bicycle speeds. 

While in Key West, visit the southernmost point in the continental United States, rent a jet ski, travel to the Dry Tortugas, enjoy 24 hour nightlife on world-famous Duval St., join the nightly sunset celebration on Mallory Square, visit Harry Truman's Southern White House, quaff an adult beverage while channeling Jimmy Buffet at the original Margaritaville, go fishing, or visit Hemingway's six toed cats. Those who enjoy shopping will find fertile ground and reasonably sized purchases can be accommodated in the vehicle.

The Florida Keys are perhaps the most casual places on the planet. No need to pack fancy clothing--you won't wear it. Formal attire in the Keys consists of shorts, T-shirts, sundresses, and flip-flops -- packing lightly is the way to go.

RIDE RATING

This tour is rated 1C with the average distance at 52 miles. (A couple of days are shorter than the C rating and 1 day exceeds the C raing by a couple of miles.) The elevation gain is minimal!  44, 43, 67, 65, 53, and 45 miles constitute the daily ride mileage. The route will take you from Fort Myers through Fort Myers Beach and Naples to Marco Island. We will then ride across Florida on “Alligator Alley,” route 41, and the Big Cypress National Preserve Loop Road.  Route 41 does have a shoulder and traffic is relatively light. Once we reach the eastern side of Florida we will spend the night at the Miccosukee Casino and Resort before heading south toward the Overseas Highway.  On the Overseas Highway, you will ride paved shoulders, a dedicated bike lane or a separate bike path adjacent to the Overseas Highway. Only individuals comfortable riding on the road with some traffic should participate.   

This tour is totally appropriate for tandem cyclists and E-bike riders are also welcome.  Coastline Cyclery 239-288-4819 is the least expensive place to rent bicycles and if 3 or more participants need to rent a bicycle, the shop is willing to deliver the bicycles to the starting hotel.  Bike Route Incorporated 239-481-3376. and the Trek Shop 239-673-8628 also have rentals.  Participants would need to secure their own rental.  

WEATHER

It's the Florida Keys in February. Expect daytime highs in the mid 70s and lows in the mid 60s with the chance of an occasional rain shower.  

LOGISTICS

Day 1:  

• Sunday, 2/7/21 Arrive Fort Myers, FL (check in time is 3:00pm.)
• Lodging:  La Quinta Inn and Suites Fort Meyers Sanibel Gateway, 20091 Summerlin Road, Fort Myers, FL, 33908, US 
• Parking available for the week 
• Happy Hour and Group Dinner Included
• Breakfast included

Day 2:  

• Monday, 2/8/21 Ride: Fort Myers Beach to SE Naples (44 miles)
• Lodging:  Staybridge Suites, 9401 Triangle Blvd. Napels, FL 34113  
• Happy Hour Included
• Breakfast Included

 Day 3: 

• Tuesday, 2/9/21 Ride:  SE Naples to Marco Island to Everglades City (43 miles)
• Lodging: Everglades City Rod and Gun Club, 200 Riverside Dr. Everglades City, FL 34139
• Everglades Airboat Ride, Happy Hour and Dinner Included

Day 4:  

• Wednesday, 2/10/21 Ride: Everglades City to Miccosukee Casino and Resort (67 miles)
• Lodging: Miccosukee Casino and Resort, 500 SW 177TH Ave. Miami, FL 33194
• Happy Hour Included

Day 5:  

• Thursday: 2/11/21 Ride: Miccosukee Casino and Resort to Key Largo (65 miles)
• Lodging: Bayside Inn, 99490 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL 33037
• Happy Hour Included

Day 6: 

• Friday, 2/12/21 Ride: Key Largo to Marathon (53 miles)
• Lodging: Hyatt Place, 1996 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL 33050
• Happy Hour Included
• Breakfast Included

Day 7: 

• Saturday, 2/13 Ride: Marathon to Key West (45 miles) 
• Lodging: DoubleTree By Hilton Grand Key Resort Key West (2 nights), 3990 S Roosevelt Blvd, Key West, FL 33040
• Hotel provides a complimentary continuous shuttle service to Mallory Square and Duval St.  
• Sunset Dinner Cruise Included 

Day 8: 

• Sunday, 2/14/21 Off Day in Key West-Happy Valentine’s Day 

Day 9:

• Monday, 2/15/21 Off Day with Key West Express Ferry back to Fort Myers included
• Ferry boarding 5:00PM (Ferry departure 6:00pm), Arrive Fort Myers  approx. 9:30pm-Shuttle back to the hotel provided 
• Lodging:  La Quinta Inn and Suites Fort Meyers Sanibel Gateway, 20091 Summerlin Road, Fort Myers, FL, 33908, US 

Day 10:

• Tuesday, 2/16/21 Tour concludes
• Breakfast at hotel included 

Plan to arrive on February 7, 2021 and depart on February 16. Free parking is available at the hotel while on the tour. There is no hotel shuttle available.   

COST & ADMINISTRATION

The cost for this tour is $2300 plus the $50 non refundable BAC ride registration fee. The first deposit will be $300 plus the $50 fee, with two additional payments of $1000 each due August 3, 2020 and November 2, 2020.  It’s peak season in the Keys and room rates are high, but lodging has been secured in great locations.  Participation numbers are based on accommodation availability. Cost also includes 3 group dinners (one is a sunset dinner cruise), 4 breakfasts, 6 happy hours, an Everglades airboat ride, Key West Express Ferry ride from Key West to Fort Myers, luggage/bicycle transport, leader and driver expenses, RWGPS links and cue sheets.

SINGLES and SOLOS

It is recommended that singles who want a roommate try to find their own. However, after receipt of the initial deposit, a single without a roommate will be placed on the ride and given until September 1, 2020 to find a roommate. If they are unable to find a roommate, they will have the option to receive a full refund (minus the BAC fee and payment processing fee) or pay the $1274 solo supplement and stay on the ride.  If a single pays the supplement, they may continue to seek a roommate, but must plan to participate without a roommate if necessary.  The Ride Leader will assist by attempting to match singles who apply for the ride. Solo supplement payments need to be sent to the BAC office by September 1, 2020. Checks should be made out to “BAC” with a notation of the tour name included on the check.  They should be mailed to:  Bicycle Adventure Club, PO Box 23998, San Diego, CA 92193.
 

CANCELLATION POLICY

The BAC ride registration fee and payment processing fee is not refundable unless the entire tour is cancelled due to participation below stated minimum requirements.  Refunds of tour payments will depend upon whether a replacement rider signs up, and on costs that can be recouped.  The amount refunded will be based on the principle that the tour’s remaining participants will not incur any additional cost as a result of cancellations.  If the cancelling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time. If the cancelling participant can't be replaced, any refund will be determined after the ride and final expense report are completed.  If a single participant cancels and another roommate cannot be found, in addition to other costs that cannot be recouped the cancelling roommate may also be liable for the solo supplement fee of the roommate remaining on the tour.  BAC encourages members to purchase trip cancellation insurance.

RIDE PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITY

Please remember that BAC Ride Leaders are volunteers, and that successful tours depend on participants providing much of their own support.  Participants are expected to come to the ride well trained, in good health and ready to accomplish the required daily riding using well-maintained bicycles.   All participants should accept responsibility for a safe and enjoyable tour. We encourage you to read the ride description carefully and respond to requests from Ride Leader.  While on the ride, support your Ride Leader with offers to help with various tasks such as happy hour preparation and clean-up. Please do not interfere with the ride by inviting non-participants onto any portion of the ride or tour.  Please keep the Ride Leader informed of any special request you may have and respect the Ride Leader’s decisions.

SIGN-UP

To submit a request to join this ride use the "links" displayed above this Ride Description.  When you are accepted, the Ride Leader will move you from the Waitlist to the Pending List. At this time you will receive an email notification to login to the BAC website to sign the release of liability form and pay the non-refundable BAC ride registration fee and the initial tour deposit  $1350 by credit card.  As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name(s) will be added to the Participant List.  To contact the Ride Leader, "click" the name at the top of this Ride Description.