Riding in Siesta Key/Long Boat Key Florida

Triathlon Forum
1

I’ll be spending Christmas week in Long Boat Key, Florida. I’ve never been there and am debating bringing the bike. How good is the riding on the islands? Is it worth leaving the islands and riding inland at all?

Thanks,

Scott

2

You can bike the entire length of Lido - Longboat - Anna Maria pretty easily, which is 20 miles-ish each way, so 40 mile round trip. If you look on Strava you can see plenty of popular rides that go to Siesta Key or the mainland, but I rarely have ventured out there. I’m only there a couple weeks a year and have other demands on my time so I just hammer a 40 mile loop. The road on LBK is smooth, straight, and very flat.

That said, I’ll be there over Xmas as well and I’m bringing my bike.

3

Bring your bike. Longboat is a beautiful place to ride and biker friendly. Siesta Key is also good. I would not bother riding inland.

4

These above recommendations are solid. Florida bike riding rules apply. Watch your ass A LOT!

5

Contact the local Tri club on facebook and you can find great people to ride with. Sarasota storm Triathlon

also check Village idiots cycling that host group rides on the weekend,

you can find them on facebook

6

I’ve lived in Jacksonville for 3 years and am amazed at how different the atmosphere is here versus Ohio.

Thanks to all for the replies. I’m going to try to sneak the bike into the back of the van before anyone notices.

Scott

7

Longboat is great due to the bike lanes and a strictly enforced speed limit for cars. As mentioned previously, it’s a nice, straight 20 mile stretch. Riding the Ringling Bridge can also give you a little bit of ‘hill’ work.

Siesta Key, not so much. Too much congestion and traffic for my taste, especially around the Village on the north end. Traffic at the Stickney Pt. bridge on the south end is also crazy.

One of the more popular tri club routes is from Potter Park down to Casey Key and back, using part of the Legacy Trail multi-use trail to avoid high-traffic areas.

The Sarasota Storm Tri Club Facebook page usually lists any club stuff going on.

Hope you enjoy your Holiday here in Sarasota.

Mark