Summer Tuesday / Thursday rides:
( daylight savings time rides )
Start at:
Bikes and Java : 3898 S. Osprey Avenue, Sarasota, FLA
Call or e-mail for more info:
Ph: 941.366.7702
They start at 4-5pm at Bikes and Java, ride through City Streets, to
US-41
( be careful! )
over Ringling Bridge
zipp
through St. Armand's Circle...
on
over New Pass Bridge
by
Mote Marine,
ride the length of L.B.K.
and back,
Over
the Ringling Bridge again
...
huff puff!
and back
to Bikes and Java!
...
We believe there are 2 or 3 different speed groups 15-18 mph / 18 -20mph / 20mph + ouch!...
If you live in Manatee County and have to work till 5, tough luck...
Why rides are not rode on the weekends is beyond me??
If anyone is interested in starting Saturday or Sunday L.B.K. rides please contact us or post on our guest page!
A Sidewalk Ride Short for L.B.K. !
Bicycling on
Longboat Key is a great way to enjoy the 365 day's of warm
weather here. There aren't any hills, except for the
Ringling Bridge and
New Pass
Bridge, its just a nice flat out ride .
If your starting from
Sarasota, Park at
Marina Jacks side lot...
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Starting from the New Pass bridge on the right side of the road is a wonderful
nature preserve called Quick Point. A sidewalk takes you to the edge of
the water and then a shell and sand path starts. The path winds through
the tidal lagoon areas. You can pedal to the end through the canopy of
Australian pine and numerous other types of trees and palms. Red, Black
and white mangroves grow in abundance and allow numerous bird and fish to
enjoy the area. Along the way is three different lookouts that have a
beautiful view of man made as well as natural lagoons. At the end is a
great view of the Sarasota Bay and sea grass beds and the skyline of
downtown Sarasota. .
As you pedal northbound on the sidewalk or the bike lane to the right is
the entrance to Dry Dock restaurant you can't miss it, it's the driveway
before the BP gas station. Pedal to the end of the drive and lock up the
bicycle. In the back is a great restaurant that you can enjoy a lunch or
dinner outside with the warm breeze and a view looking out over the
Sarasota Bay. .
On the way back out to the bike path before you start is the BP gas
station which has air for your tires and cold water as well as restrooms.
As you pedal down the sidewalk you will notice that the city of Longboat
Key has provided a rest stop along the way at different locations. The
bench they provide is usually in the shade alongside of the path. You pass
the Longboat Key club golf course on your left which allows you the view
of the bordered fairways of flowering shrubs swaying in the breeze. .
About 2 or so miles you will come to the traffic light at Bay Isle
Parkway. This is also the entrance to the shopping area "Ave of the
Flowers" this is a great place for food, water, shade, restrooms and a
entrance to the beach via a public access across the road from the
shopping area. The Bicentennial Park is also located at the edge of of the
bicycle path ( bike path completed 1978) just as you start pedaling again
north after leaving the shopping area. more info .
Pedaling north again you can enjoy the numerous flowering shrubs and trees
you pedal about a mile or so and come across a great place to stop and
enjoy a light breakfast or lunch at "Island Juice and Java" 3174 Gulf of
Mexico Dr. If you are a early bird bicycle rider the deli/cafe is open at
7 am. 941-378-8783. Great place for a break as well get a chance to the
walkover to view the emerald colored ocean across the street at the beach
public access. Friendly people will greet you here and answer your
questions about the local area..
As you continue north about a quarter mile again you will pass another
public access to the beach just before the area known as the "beach" which
is a breath taking area of sand and surf that invites you to stop and stay
for a hour and enjoy the lapping surf..
As you get to the edge of the beach stretch of road is a nice park on the
right that has restrooms, water and a few picnic tables under the shade of
palm trees looking out over the "Sarasota Bay" just calling out to you to
stop and read a book or just stay a while. Bicycling is just a great way
to see things , and just a mile north again is a great chance at the
unspoiled beauty of the tidal mangroves by visiting St. Mary's Church.
Just pedal all the way to the back of the church and at the back of the
farthest parking lot is a entrance to the "Prayer Walk" which is a
boardwalk that winds back to the bay. You can stop and enjoy the peace and
beauty this area allows for hours and hours. more info .
As the miles continue you come across a wonderful park on the right side
of the road about 3 miles from the previous stop known as " Joan M.
Durante Community Park". The entrance is a driveway of crushed packed
shell that is surrounded by numerous walkways that wind through different
green areas abounding with flowers and shade trees. At the end of the
shell road is a covered wooden open air sitting are overlooking a grassy
field. To the left of that is a great children's playground blended into
the shady trees. Walking or bicycling back is a shell path that winds
around through the trees and ends facing the "Sarasota Bay". .
Just a block north from there is the "Backyard Bike Shop" which is
Longboat Key's only bicycle rental and repair shop. Friendly service and
they have plenty of bicycles to choose from, so visit even if you already
have a bicycle or your looking for a different style of bike to try. Call
Charlie at 941-383-5184..
The ride is getting close to the end with just a few more stops ahead to
pass the time away. Pedaling doesn't have to be just in a pace line with
the group from the bicycle club or a group of friends . It can be spent
enjoying what beauty is surrounding us, the tings that can only be seen
from a slow , casual inquiring pace..
The miles have slipped by and the total now is over 9 and half miles and
you come across the Whitney Beach shopping area. Within that parking lot
is a wonderful favorite of the bicycling explorers called "Isabelle's
Eatery" You can lean your bicycle out front and walk in and get a great
breakfast or lunch. Or if you decide to park your bicycle on the canal
side of the restaurant, eat outside. M-S 7-2:30pm, Sunday 8 to 1 pm.. more
info.
This is at the end of the island. some call it "Lands End" but there still
is a few more places to pedal to. The first is the "Longboat Key Art
Center" which is towards the end of Longboat Key Road. This is the first
right on Broadway St. then take the next right and pedal towards the end
you can't miss it. When you leave there just follow the local wind roads
through the old Florida neighborhood until you reach the boat slip and
sailboat harbor. Park your bicycle and wander around on the docks. Visit "Moores
Stone Crab Restaurant" and enjoy the unhurried atmosphere while looking
out over the water. You will probably run across the local peacock flock
wandering through the streets. This isn't the end because you still have
to turn around and pedal back to the other end of the island...
