No place better to be in the winter months than the Florida Keys. Easy flat bike rides with short mileage and tailwinds along the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail. Imagine yourself completely surrounded by islands and beautiful waters. The FKOHT incorporates the bridges and provides access to the islands’ many assets—scenic, environmental, recreational, cultural, historical and archaeological.
“When oil magnate Henry Flagler’s East Coast Railway reached Key West, Fla., in 1912, it was hailed by some as the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” Others christened it “Flagler’s Folly.” The railroad was already in bankruptcy by the time the great Labor Day hurricane of 1935 pushed 40 miles of track into the ocean, sinking the railroad for good.
Since then, the only way to traverse the Keys, a chain of islands stretching southwest from the southern tip of mainland Florida, has been the reliable but perennially congested U.S. Highway 1—that is, until the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail (FKOHT)” Rails to Trails
“Like the highway it parallels—sometimes nearly side by side, sometimes separated by greenway—the trail passes through the heart of every island town from Key Largo to Islamorada, Marathon, Big Pine and Key West. There’s convenient access to services everywhere—from bathrooms and bike shops to resort hotels and the ubiquitous open-air tiki bars, which make wonderful, shady places to stop for lunch or a cool drink. In other words, this is not a bike trip for someone who wants to get away from it all.”
“Paralleling U.S. Highway 1, which is designated as a National Scenic Highway and All-American Road, this recreational pathway incorporates 23 of the historic Flagler Railroad bridges, offering a scenic venue for hiking, running, bicycling, skating, sightseeing, fishing and kayaking. The existing FKOHT is paved in segments along the corridor from Key Largo to Key West, with the longest, continuous section of paved trail currently located in the Upper Keys between MM 106 at Key Largo and through MM 72 at Islamorada, Village of Islands. The trail and its historic bridges also provide a beneficial, alternative transportation route that links the Keys’ island communities.” Florida State Parks
Perfect Weather for January
It seems the Florida Keys weather is always better than elsewhere, and that’s part of the reason why people love it here. With an air temperature in the upper 70s and water temperature in the low 70s, January is the perfect time to bike the Florida Keys. So kick off your shoes and come join us next January. We have everything you could possibly want for a laid-back vacation – the only thing missing is you!
Learn more at https://greatbiketours.com/the-florida-keys/
