Event Description
The 2019 Escape to the Keys Bicycle Festival is a 3 day, fun filled road cycling adventure for those that want to get away from the cold, dreary weather up north and join us for an exciting ride from Miami to Key West. We stop along the way to enjoy the sites/food and scenery of Florida in December with an overnight stay at the Hawks Cay Resort, and on day 2, in Key West, at our host hotels, The Gates or 24 North, where we can enjoy the debauchery of Key West on Saturday night. Bus transport is available on Sunday back to Miami at 2pm sharp. Approximate mileage is 148 miles (day one is 88) and cyclists must be able to ride an average of 15mph.
Event details and schedule
Day 1: Friday, December 6. We start at 7:30am at the Miami Homestead Speedway. For those cyclists who are staying at the Best Western, your luggage will be picked up at the hotel, so you can ride to the start (about 4 miles). If you are driving to the Speedway, there is secured parking overnight. The luggage truck will be parked at the Speedway, and will swing by the Best Western to pick up luggage before heading down to the Keys. There will be a meet/greet on Thursday night in the Best Western lobby to answer any questions for our out of town riders. Our first rest stop on Friday is to be determined, but our second rest stop will be at Robbies in Islamorada, MM77, bayside, where you can enjoy feeding the tarpon and seeing some Florida wildlife. Our last stop is at Hawks Cay, where we will stay overnight. Hawks Cay is located just 17 miles south of Robbies, on the ocean side. Hotel registration will be set up outside, so you can get signed into your room, and enjoy your lunch all at the same time. Dinner Friday night can be enjoyed, on your own, or with some new cycling buddies, at any of the restaurants that Hawks Cay has to offer.
Day 2: Saturday, Dec 7: Rise and shine, hop on those bikes and pedal, pedal, pedal, all the way to Key West. Enjoy a once in a lifetime experience of riding your bicycle over the 7 mile bridge! Yes, 7 miles on a bridge! Rest stop after the bridge. Final rest stop at mile marker 15, at Baby's coffee, where you can enjoy hot or cold beverages, before your final stop at mile marker 4, in the park at Stock Island. We will gather there together and be led by Key West's finest into downtown Key West, our very own bicycle parade! Dante's Raw Bar for lunch, (included in the registration price) cerveza, swimming (if you dare) and music, before we depart for our various Key West hotels for the night. Host hotels this year include The Gates (305-320-0930) and 24 North (305-320-0940). Participants are required to make your own reservations for hotel in Key West. Dine in Key West at any of the many places to choose from. Party down, and whatever happens in Key West, stays in Key West!
Day 3: Explore Key West on your own...by bike, by foot, or cab. The tour bus home will depart at 2pm sharp from the Southwinds hotel. Be prompt!
Other details:
If you are coming from out of town, there are overnight hotels in Homestead that are reasonably priced. Our host hotel is the Best Western Florida City. There will be a meet/greet on Thursday evening at 7:30pm for those staying in the hotel. Hotel phone: 305-246-5100.
There will be a luggage truck available at the Speedway for your luggage. People staying at the hotel will have pick up in the morning and transport to the Speedway. Please bring only one (1) bag. Breakfast (sticky buns) and lunch will be provided on Friday. Breakfast will be provided on Saturday, and is a buffet lunch (burgers or fish tacos) at Dantes Raw Bar in Key West. No more waiting for food! Hawk's Cay is giving us a special rate on their buffet dinner Friday night, or you can choose to dine in one of their other restaurants, ranging from burgers to fine dining. The luggage truck will be parked at Southwinds in Key West, so if you are not staying there, keep in mind that you will have to transfer your luggage to your hotel on your own. A back pack or small bag that you can carry on your bike is best.
This ride provides full SAG support along the route as well as well-stocked rest stops.
Rooms in Key West are hard to come by, so if you find a hotel online that has a 2 night minimum, call them directly. We have found that they will release rooms if for a one night stay if you call directly. Any problems finding rooms, please let us know and we will assist!
PLEASE NOTE! THERE WILL BE NO REFUNDS FOR CANCELLATIONS for ANY REASON. REGISTRATIONS CAN BE TRANSFERRED TO ANOTHER CYCLIST.
HELMETS ARE REQUIRED AND EAR BUDS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED.
