The Marco Island Ride

Wednesday January 14th, 2015

The PFW- SW Florida contingent met in Marco Island for a exploration ride around the island.  Even though the rides don't officially start until February ( the rides have to be listed in the Freewheel to be official) we decided to kick off the riding season here in Florida unofficially.   Bob Smith graciously offered to lead the ride today.

It was a 50 minute car ride to the start but it was definitely worth the trip!  I left my house at 6:25 AM!  Dennis and Bruce wanted to start a little later than Bob and I so Bob and I met at 7:30 AM at his condo.  Bruce ended up showing up just before we headed out to the main road but couldn't find us.  Here is where we were.

The dock was behind the condo.  Bob wanted to show me the flat bottom boat that came along with the condo rental.  He offered to take us out for a boat ride after the ride but I had time constraints so hopefully next time.  If he brings the bike I am not sure that there will be enough room for all of us!

Bruce didn't realize that Bob and I were on the dock ( we had to ride the boardwalk to the boat) so he took off in search of us.  We did find him along the pre-ride ride route.   We rode to a marina near the condo and this is what we saw

 This is a nice little park that has quiet roads and good riding

We circled back and picked up Dennis who arrived right on time and we headed onto the main road out of the condo development and into the development across the street.   I needed my photo ID to get into the gate of this community so it was good that we needed to pick up Dennis since I forgot to bring it with me.  The name of the development was Marco Key and had very expensive homes and a few small hills.   Yes.....Florida does have hills!

We headed back on the main road ( San Marco Road) and tooled around the island.  Bob had a surprise for us.   Indian Hill Road

It really was a hill but you can't see it from this photo.  Thought it was more important to get the NJ contingent of the PFW- SW Florida instead.  I tried looking up the elevation on Map My Ride but it had to be wrong.....16 ft??   I can't be that out of hill shape already!  It definitely took our breaths away riding up this hill.

We went toward Old San Marco and stopped to see the marina where the Key West Express leaves from each Tuesday and Thursday.  We are planning on non-biking ride to Key West....for the day...on the Key West express before the group heads back to NJ.   The wives and girlfriends will be going along with us but that will be the subject of a future blog.

The rest stop was Big Al's Deli.

The name of this deli reminded us of Al Lowich!  Sorry Al Porter.

It was getting late but we had time for one more stop before heading back to the condo. 

The public Marco Island Beach in the distance.  Bruce graciously offered to watch the bikes so he didn't make this photo op.


We ended up with 38 miles ( Dennis with 31 miles because he missed the pre-ride ride) and we were back by noon.  Thanks to Bob....and to Bruce....who worked on the route together by riding the island a day or two before to come up with this great route!