Hi, all,

I admit to not riding the upper keys from ~mm 60 up in to Key Largo at mm 106 (one day soon I will)...but I have ridden extensively from NE of Marathon down to Key West...a lot around Big Pine area between mm45 - mm15 near Sugar Loaf, all of it in the summer Jun-Jul-Aug.

Here's how to survive:

1 - run Kevlar 28+ mm on a road bike...flats are not an option on long bridges with 55 mph traffic. (Carry TWO tubes, anyway.) But, you can still easily cruise through anything like back country lime rock on Big Pine Key, crumbling asphalt, etc...or still fly at 25+ mph on smooth concrete.

1a- ALWAYS pack TWO bottles...3 is even better...I've had to struggle home in a changing headwind and a 1-2 hour ride turns in to 3+ hours...glad I had the fluid...although there are plenty of places to stop for fluid...I just like to be self sufficient.

1b - ALWAYS pack sun lotion and protect yourself from sunburn.

2 - when possible stay left near the painted line...the very right edge of the bike lane is usually filled with sharp objects...limerock, metal, beer bottle glass, etc. Be aware of where the approaching traffic is though....don't get surprised in a headwind from behind-you traffic you cannot hear.

3 - ride early on weekends to avoid heat (in summer) and heavy traffic..  But frankly, I've never seen "heavy" traffic, not compared to what I have ridden other places.  Most speed limits on the islands are 40 mph, often less, so I've never had a close call or felt uncomfortable with the speed of normal traffic. Even on the 55 mph bridges, the side lanes are so WIDE you have plenty of room to stay near the wall...but mind the sharp objects.

3a- check out the side rides on Marathon, Big Pine and No Name, Sugar Loaf...you can ride for many miles with nary a car, beautiful suburbs, cool limerock roads, Key deer, amazing isolated beaches...I found the house and bridge featured at the end of the Miami Vice remake movie...hint: it is nr Sugar Loaf....while just cruising from Big Pine Key. You can't get lost...just ride.

4 - on weekdays, you may as well wait till after 8-9 am to let business commuters get to work...then be prepared to ride in increasing heat. I warn you, you better be back home ~12 noon before afternoon rains start...if not sooner.  Or, just have a rain plan for wherever you may be.

4a - ride after the rain in later afternoon/early evening...but be aware of afternoon commuters ~4-6 pm and happy hour commuters from 6-8 pm

4b - riding on the strip islands between the mangroves is HOT...no wind, sun beating down, 90+% humidity...be prepared for it.

5 - ride upwind first (usually eastward)...the wind in the keys over the bridges can hit 15-25 mph on a "calm" day on an island down in the mangroves.  Then when you head home (westward), you can sit up and hammer at 25-30 mph with that tail wind.

6 - The riding in Marathon is mostly slow...in places, you will have to ride the sidewalks and be aware of crossing intersections.  Just sit up, enjoy the view, stop in somewhere for key lime pie or a fish sandwich and a beer, then keep heading south. Completed trail is on the north part of the island...do your homework.

7 - the 7 mile bridge ride is indeed awesome...with the wind pushing me at 25+ mph it has been one of the most exciting 15-20 minute rides I have ever done...going downhill in GA is the only comparable experience...just no twists...all straight ahead pushing the speed to whatever your guts can handle.

8 - Traffic as you go south always seems to thin out...yea, there are pockets of heavier traffic (Big Pine, Sugar Loaf, near the Air Base)...but riding to Key West is a smooth sometimes lonely ride...once you get to Key West, heads up for combat heavy traffic riding.  Do your homework for alternate roads that start just past the Stock Island bridge and take you down the middle of the island through KW 'hoods on wider &/or quieter roads.  There are cut-through alleys I'm not sure are on any map.  There are amazing places no average tourist ever sees.  Again, applying common sense and defensive riding, I've never had a problem in Key West.  Visit the light house, Ft Z Taylor, the southernmost point, etc, etc.....by bike. I'd avoid Duval St/old town area...too much crazy traffic for bicycles...walk that.

Maybe I will see you there this summer...Bob Howland