March 24, 2015
South Miami to Key Largo
Our second day of training in action! We had been not too happy with Old Cutler Road (or the Old Cutler Trail) the day before, so rather than return to that route, we decided to use the M-Path Trail to Homestead and Florida City. We would have connected with it eventually, and since it was directly across the street from the hotel we were staying in, it was totally convenient.
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Normally, I dislike trail riding, but this one provided for long stretches between crossroads, and the signals were timed with the buses using the adjacent busway (BRT — Bus Rapid Transit) facility. My office had just finished the design for a busway for the City of Alexandria — the first BRT in the state of Virginia — and had won several awards for its design. So I also had a second motivation. I could now compare the two as I cycled along the trail.
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We also decided we needed to stop at a bicycle shop so we could each purchase an additional water bottle. We had been refilling a lot, and more capacity wouldn't hurt. Relying on Google, we identified one not far off the trail in Homestead. That led to a bit of a wild goose chase (repeated later on in the trip), and the lesson here is trust but verify (i.e., call!). The first was non-existent and led to a residential address. The second was a more reliable Sports Authority, where we were treated to a customer service rep who took care of us AND our bikes!
After completing our mission, we made our way back to the M-Path Trail and down to Florida City, where it terminates and you hop on the local street network. We had decided to cross to Key Largo at Card Sound because it looked like better riding than on US-1, we got to cross an old(er) toll bridge, and we could grab lunch at Alabama Jack's. We were not disappointed.
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At Alabama Jack's, a local (from Cutler) warned us that the road south was treacherous. He also wished us the best of luck. I always appreciate the concern, but it turned out that County Road 905 had a nice pair of bike lanes, one in each direction! I was beginning to like Florida. These bike lanes continued as far south as our turnoff to the campground (and beyond), so we had smooth sailing. We stayed at Key Largo Kampground and Marina, close to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. Our first night camping!
Today's ride: 54 miles (87 km)
Total: 114 miles (183 km)
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