Bike Rides!

Monday, November 8, 2010 Day 50

Lay Day: Boot Key Harbor, Marathon, Florida Keys, Mooring Ball D2, MM 1195.0

L/L: 22 42 43N 081 05 40W

Weather: overcast all day; high 75 low low 60s;  N  20 knots diminishing to < 10 in the late afternoon 

Comment: Typically, our day begins with breakfast and the Cruisers’ Net. At this time of the year, with few boats in the harbor, the  cruisers’ net lasst all of ten minutes, and sometimes not that long. When  the harbor is filled with boats, it could last for 30 minutes or more.

Once we got ashore, we took a 12 mile bike ride. As usual, riding into the 20 knot breeze made for slow going. When we finally turned around, the wind speed was considerably reduced. At twenty knots, the wind would have blown us back to the marina, or so it might have seemed. Still, it was good to have a ten knot breeze at our backs for the final five miles. 

Tuesday, November 9, 2010 Day 51

Lay Day: Boot Key Harbor, Marathon, Florida Keys, Mooring Ball D2, MM 1195.0

L/L: 22 42 43N 081 05 40W

Weather: bright sunshine all day; high 77 low mid 60s;  NE  10 knots diminishing to < 10 in the late afternoon 

Comment: After another short Cruisers’ Net, we went ashore for another bike ride. Before setting off, we went to the Keys Fishery for some iced tea and to enjoy the spectacular view. Workers have started construction on a new Tiki Hut which will be adjacent to and may even incorporate the upper deck. 

Following this little respite, we set off in a northly direction. After five or six miles, we stopped at the  Island Fish Company and Tiki Bar for lunch.  Wenenjoyed a light lunch and the view. Once we had our fill, we continued north. We made it to about MM 59, ten miles from the marina. At this point, the bike path ended. To go further north, we would have to pedal on the dirt path or on the shoulder of US 1. We decided it was time to turn around. The trip back to the marina included one stop for water at the Burger King and a quick stop at Publix for some groceries. We made it back to the marina in a little over an hour.

Oncew aboard, we rested, grilled a couple of brats and enjoyed a dinner as the sun was setting.

We biked on the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail

The trail ends at Mile Marker 59, about 10 miles from where we started