Fun in the Sun: Fort Myers Beach to Key West

† 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 $100 for all other countries, both are per participant.

Ride Description

OVERVIEW:  Escape the cold with some fun in the sun! What better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day, but with a 2 night stay in Key Largo, FL with the opportunity to visit John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park!  This 12 day, 11 night tour of approximately 350 miles will have you cycling from Fort Myers Beach to Key West, Florida, returning to Fort Myers Beach 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 5 in time for a group social/happy hour and dinner. We will stay in Fort Myers for 2 nights with the opportunity to ride and explore Sanibel and Captiva Islands.  After leaving Fort Myers, we will stay in Naples, Everglades City, West Miami, Key Largo (2 nights), Marathon and will arrive in Key West Monday, February 13 for another two night stay before returning via the Key West Express Ferry on Wednesday, February 15.  The tour officially conclude Thursday, February 16 after breakfast. 

Included in this tour is an airboat ride in the Everglades, luggage transport, daily social/happy hours, and 3 group dinners.  Breakfast will be left up to the riders; however, 9 of the hotels do provide some sort of breakfast option included in the price.  Bicycles will also be transported back to Fort Myers while participants ride the Ferry.  Parking at the hotel is available at no extra charge.  

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, snorkeling, 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.

The ride leaders led this ride in 2021 and used participants’ feedback to improve this tour. An extra day at the start, a rest day in Key Largo, and changes in hotels in Fort Myers Beach and Everglades City should make this a most excellent cycling vacation!       

COVID Requirements: It is encouraged that all participants be fully vaccinated and be prepared to present vaccination documentation for viewing by Ride Leader if requested.. Unvaccinated participants are allowed but must comply with safety provisions such as a negative COVID-19 test before a tour starts, face coverings, and social distancing or alternate precautions as specified by the Ride Leader.

RIDE RATING:  This tour is rated 1C with the average distance at 52 miles. The elevation gain is minimal!  50, 49, 43, 32, 73, 65, 53, and 45 miles constitute the daily ride mileage. (Day 5 exceeds the C ride rating category by a couple of miles.)  The route will take you from Fort Myers Beach and Naples  to Marco Island and Everglades City.  We will then ride across Florida on “Alligator Alley,” route 41.  Route 41 does have a shoulder and traffic is relatively light.  Once we reach the eastern side of Florida we will spend the night in West Miami 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. This tour is totally appropriate for tandem cyclists and ebike riders. Only individuals comfortable riding on the road with some traffic should participate. 

CUE SHEETS, MAPS, GPS FILES: The ride leader will provide RWGPS files approximately 1 month prior to the start of the tour.  Participants will receive an email containing a link to the EVENT file. Participants will need to have downloaded (at the minimum) the free version of the RWGPS app to receive the  voice turn by turn directions.  RWGPS can be run on a Garmin device and or smartphone.  Participants wanting cue sheets will need to print their own from the file provided.   

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.  

LODGING AND MEALS:  A list of hotels has been provided in the itinerary which can be found under the Ride Leader Document tab. Three group dinners will be provided, along with social/happy hour 10 of the days.  Beer, wine, soda and water and snacks will be provided each day at happy hour.  Breakfast will be left up to the riders; however, 9 of the hotels do provide some sort of breakfast option included in the price. 

LOGISTICS: Participants should plan to arrive on February 5, 2023 and depart on February 16, 2023. Free parking is available at the hotel while on the tour. Participants will be expected to ride each day from hotel to hotel.  There are five continuous days of riding, followed by one day off, and then two more mandatory days of riding.  Participants will need to bring their bicycles.  There is not a good place to rent bicycles in Fort Myers that will meet the demands of this trip.  

The nearest airport to Fort Myers Beach is Ft. Myers (RSW) Airport which is 8.4 miles away. Other nearby airports include Punta Gorda (PGD) (22.7 miles), Tampa (TPA) (103.4 miles), Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL) (112.3 miles) and Miami (MIA) (113.1 miles).  Should you choose to fly, bike boxes will be stored in vehicles that park at the hotel for the week.  

COST & ADMINISTRATION: The cost for this tour is $2950. The first deposit will be $ 1950 and due when accepted on the ride.  The balance of $1000 will be due October 1, 2022. It’s high season in the Keys and room rates are high, but we are also staying in great locations.  Participation numbers are based on accommodation availability.  Cost also includes 3 group dinners, 10 happy hours, an Everglades airboat ride, Key West Express Ferry ride from Key West to Fort Myers, luggage/bicycle transport, leader expenses, RWGPS links.

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 October 1, 2022 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 $1608 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 payment of $1,608 needs to be sent to the BAC office by October 1, 2022 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 Fees are not refundable unless the entire tour is canceled because the number of participants registered is less than the minimum established for the tour. 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 canceling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time. If the canceling 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 canceling 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 the Ride Leader. While on the ride, support your Ride Leader with offers to help with various tasks such as happy hour preparation and cleanup. 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 might have and respect the Ride Leader’s decisions. 

Before participating in any BAC tour, members should review their medical coverage and assess whether what you have is sufficient. If it isn’t, you should purchase additional travel medical coverage. BAC maintains a policy that provides limited coverage for medical expenses associated with accidents incurred by US residents when on tours within the US. The policy maintained by BAC does not cover costs associated with self-quarantines that may be government mandated. Members should also ensure that vaccinations are up to date (e.g., COVID, annual influenza, tetanus, etc.). If traveling outside your home country you may wish to consult with a travel physician or nurse to ensure that the appropriate vaccinations are up to date. 

SIGN UP: To register for this ride, use the sign-up links just above the Ride Description. After preliminary acceptance, you will be moved to the pending list and receive an email requesting you to go back to the BAC site to digitally accept the terms of the Release of Liability (ROL), and pay the non-refundable BAC Ride Registration Fee and Tour Deposit by credit card. As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name(s) will be added to the Participant List. BAC members with questions may contact the Ride Director by "clicking" the name at the top of this Ride Description. Once you’ve completed the Ride Description and click “Finish,” you will see the tour information just as the Club members will see it after it’s approved. Up until your tour is approved, you can go back and edit any of the information by clicking on the “Edit Ride” link to the left of your ride description, under “Ride Management”.