March 26, 2015
Key Largo to Marathon
The next day we got up relatively early and broke camp. We were actually pretty efficient, given this had been our first camping night(s) and, hence, our first breakdown. On the way out, we took a little spin through the campground to see a bit more of the place. It's a very nice campground, and I would definitely stay again.
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So this was really our first day biking the Keys. The ride into Key Largo was just a teaser, but today we would seriously penetrate, going to Marathon, halfway to Key West. The first thing we learned was the irregularity of the bike trail system in the Keys. Almost all of US-1 has a bike lane, but there are also bike paths, side trails, sidewalks, and service roads that parallel US-1 that are not always well marked and terminate in odd locations without warning. And getting across US-1 is treacherous, as there are few signals, fewer crosswalks, and heavy traffic volumes.
So as we left the side road that led to our campground, we got on US-1 but stayed on the northbound side, as there was a trail and/or wide sidewalk we could ride on.
Happy was nervous about crossing US-1 without a signal, but we needed breakfast, and there was a Waffle House not far away, so crossing "mid-block" was almost a necessity. And, of course, when we got there we had no signal, so we crossed regardless, and Happy got his first lesson in traversing a busy highway. Fortunately, there is a wide grass median so you only need to cross one travel direction at a time.
After Waffle House, we stuck to a trail/wide shoulder area on the southbound side until we got to where US-1 becomes a divided highway, wide enough that there are businesses located in the area between. Here the trail jumps to the left side of southbound US-1, but it really is not apparent unless you're paying close attention. Or looking for anything to use but the bike lane (which was Happy's strategy). So we navigated an odd intersection, and this time with a signal, and continued south. After about three miles, southbound and northbound US-1 join again, so you need to jump across the northbound lanes using a crosswalk in the middle of nowhere in order to stay on the bike trail. All very strange if you're trying to create a contiguous facility.
Somewhere south of Tavernier, we picked up a service road and followed it for a good distance. Pretty much all the way to a bike shop we wanted to visit on Islamorada. A click had developed in my rear wheel, so we wanted to have it checked out. That was the next bike shop, so we made a new line for Backcountry Cowboy Outfitters. Yes, that is a bike shop!
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He did a great job taking me as a walk-in, cleaned the drive chain well, but found nothing of note. So back on the trail again.
And over some beautiful channels.
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We were still out of shape, and the day was taking its toll on our bodies, so we were happy to see Marathon and the Knight's Key Campground, our home tonight.
The best part of this campground is its proximity to the Sunset Grill and Raw Bar, where Happy and I enjoyed a sunset, a beer or two, and a well-earned dinner.
Today's ride: 56 miles (90 km)
Total: 170 miles (274 km)
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