Sarasota Storm Tri Club has training events every day of the week (group runs, bridge repeats, bricks, rides, OWS at the beach, etc). One bike shop or another has a group ride virtually every day and there are numerous group runs around the area sponsors by run shops and bars. If you want to DM me your email I'll forward next week's schedule when it comes out. There's also a big beer mile at Mr Beery's this Sat if you'll be in town by then. As for swimming, Siesta and Lido are the two preferred OWS spots. Siesta parking becomes a PITA unless you're staying walking distance or get there before the crowds. Lido is typically less crowded.

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TRS Racing
138.2 IronBrick Florida Finisher

Where about are you going to be? I love running on Midnight Pass Road - that is right in Siesta Key on the Ocean.

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Jen Yanda

Thanks for the info. For some reason, I can't send you a DM, I guess because I'm new user? My email is cueoner at yahoo dot com. Thanks in advance for sending the schedule!

I am staying in Siesta Key, within walking distance of the beach. Thanks for the tips. How's the water temps this time of year? Do I need to pack a wetsuit?

When I as there last spring on siesta key we were staying on midnight pass road south of the bridge. I just ran up to the commercial area and that loop around town and back down. Worked out to be a 7 mile trip and completely adequate for a vaca running route

I am also going to be in Sarasota for a week starting 4/4/15. Staying on Golden Gate Pt. Hoping to catch a group swim and ride!

Check the Sarasota Storm Tri Club and Manasota Track Club sites on FB for the most up to date info on workouts and events.

Siesta Beach is the most popular place for OWS. It's still a bit early in the year, but you usually can find some tri club folks swimming on Tuesday after work. I'm planning on going out next week to start getting ready for St. Anthony's.

There are always folks running from Marina Jack on the bayfront over the Ringling Bridge & back. I like to go all the way out to Ken Thompson Park (just past Mote Marine Labs) and back - about eight miles total.

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

Mark

Mark, thanks for the tips, very helpful! I've added the two groups on FB.

I'm debating a bike rental for the week, but not sure if it will be a hassle, or if i'll have enough time to ride. One old post I found mentioned that they rented a road bike from Village Bikes in Sarasota. Any feedback on this shop?

Thanks all.

Last time I was down at Siesta Key in April, I did a ows where two dolphins escorted me much of the way as I swam parallel to the beach.

Lots of great places to run, bike and swim in Siesta Key. I brought my bike and did laps around the Key in a bike lane that was pretty open and safe.

awesome local masters swim club, the crescent beach run cannot be topped (6 m point to point?). For bike rides, keep your head on a swivel as you are in Florida and make your way to E of 75. I love Sarasota but this year I am having a ball training in Naples

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Such a Bad Runner

Siesta Key is an awesome place to ride. It's flast but very safe. It can be windy at times though. Me, I like to park somewhere in Bradenton - perhaps at Ringling Cycle, and head over the causeway to Ana Maria Island, then cycle south through Bradenton Beach all the way through Siesta Key to Sarasota where I like to grab a quick coffee and then head back. Ends upbeing about 60 miles or so.

I think you mean Longboat Key, not Siesta Key. Longboat Key runs from Ana Maria down to Lido Key and St Armands circle. From Lido you can ride over the Ringling Bridge to the Sarsasota bayfront.

Longboat is a great ride with wide, well-maintained bike lanes both directions.

Siesta Key to the south has the best beach, but is much more congested and not a good place to ride unless you just want to go sight-seeing.

Mark

Yes my bad. You would think I would remember this after having rode there at least 15 times! But it has been 2 years.

Village Bikes is first-class ( I bought my Cannondale from them). You also may want to check out Ryder Bikes in Sarasota or Real Bikes in Venice. Good folks at both places.

Mark

Longboat key is a good ride - when you encounter the metal grate lift bridges there are signs telling you to dismount and walk your bike across the sidewalk. Highly recommended!!! Went over one of those bridges after a rain - stayed upright but was the most terrifying 10 seconds I've had on a bike feeling my 140 psi 21mm tubular bounce back and forth between the serrated metal ridges!