2019 Tour of the Conch Republic

Escape to the Keys

Come join the Ride Miami Cycling Club for an adventurous cycling weekend from Miami to Key West!  Starting at the Homestead Motor Speedway you will ride through scenic Card Sound Road and merge onto the historic Overseas Highway, also known as US1 or AIA. 

Enjoy beautiful ocean views and camaraderie of fellow cyclists on this very memorable trip.  Pool side receptions greet participants both nights where you will have a chance to share all sorts of cycling tales with other riders, SAGs, and new friends.

The cost is a only $150.  You are encouraged to sign up now to reserve your spot and to contact the designated hotels for a room. Chill out on a charter bus ride home for only $25 more.  Or get a ride back with family and friends.  If your friends want to tag along the way, $60 meal tickets are available.

OUT OF TOWN'ERS: THURSDAY DEC 5th

Our host hotel in the Homestead area is the Best Western in Florida City.  Hotel phone: 305-246-5100.  There will be a meet/greet to answer any questions on Thursday evening at 7:30pm in the hotel lobby.  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 over the weekend.

DAY 1: FRIDAY DEC 6th

7:30 AM Start from Homestead Speedway to  Hawks Cay Resort (88 miles or so)

Our first rest stop on Friday is at the Bayside Inn, in Key Largo, Mile Marker 99, which is a lovely, bayside beach resort, a true Kodak moment rest stop. Our second rest stop will be at Robbies in Islamorada, Mile Marker 77, 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. 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.

Start Address:  Homestead-Miami Speedway

1 Speedway Boulevard, Homestead, FL
Homestead, FL 33032

• Rest stops including Bayside Resort Inn, Key Largo, right on the beach and Robbies Marina, Mile Marker 77, bayside (where you feed the tarpons)
  
• SAG support provided, luggage handling provided (see details below)
  
• Riders are responsible for making their own reservations at Hawks Cay.  Register first and you will be given a promo code to make your reservation.
  

7:30 AM Start from Hawks Cay Resort to Key West (61 miles or so)

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.

• Breakfast at the start. Rest Stop after the 7 mile bridge and Baby's Coffee at Mile Marker 15.  Final Stop at mile marker 4, in the park at Stock Island
• SAG Support provided
  
• On entering Key West we will be receiving a police escort welcome into downtown Key West.
• Pool side reception, buffet lunch and happy hour at Dantes Raw Bar, where you can enjoy some yummy food, cold beverages, and music, before heading off to your hotel for the evening - YES!  The buffet includes one free beer + burgers with all the fixings and chicken and fish for tacos with tortillas and taco fixings plus French fries and potato salad.  SWEET!
  
• Participants are required to make your own reservations for hotel in Key West. Key West Host hotels this year include
• • The Gates (305-320-0930)
    
  • 24 North (305-320-0940)
• 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!  Oh by the way...Saturday night will be the annual children's Holiday Parade through downtown, so bring holiday spirit with you!

DAY 3: SUNDAY

Sunday is a day to explore Key West on your own. RELAX...Ride the bike, walk through town, take a trolley, sightsee or shop....maybe just sleep in.   See below for the tour bus transportation details. 

Luggage Handling:

Luggage support is provided.

• Please bring only one (1) bag and drop off it at the Homestead Speedway before the ride.  Bags will be available in Hawks Cay.
• Drop off your bag again on Saturday and they will be driven to Key West and delivered to the host hotels The Gates and 24 North.  The truck will be parked in Key West at the SouthWinds Hotel. 
  
• For those returning by the tour bus on Sunday,  your bicycles and your luggage can be dropped off at SouthWinds hotel, prior to the bus departure at 2PM.  The luggage truck will depart from Southwinds at 2 pm and stop at both of the host hotels, The Gates and 24 North.  
  
• Keep in mind that you will have to transfer your luggage to your hotel on your own.   So pack carefully.  A back pack or small bag that you can carry on your bike is best.
  

Return Trip Arrangements

You can get a lift home with your spouses, friends and significant other who decided to drive down for the party instead of bike.  But if you need transportation home from Key West, you can ride a comfy air conditioned tour bus for only an additional $25.   Please be sure to include the ride ($150) + tour bus ($25)  = $175 Total when you register if you need this ride home.

• Bikes go in separate vehicles (truck).
• Your bicycles and your luggage can be dropped off at SouthWinds hotel, prior to the bus departure.
  
• The tour bus, and bike truck will depart from Southwinds at 2 pm and then it stop at both of the host hotels, The Gates and 24 North. 
  
• Be considerate of others, please be prompt!
  

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!  If you have a hotel and for some reason need to cancel, please let the organizers know.   They will try to help get someone who is still trying to get a hotel to take over your reservation.

This ride is not put on by EBC.   Please contact Rafa by email at prepur@bellsouth.net or call him at 305-613-0858 for more information or if you would like to volunteer for this fun and memorable ride.

PLEASE NOTE! THERE WILL BE NO REFUNDS FOR CANCELLATIONS OR INCLEMENT WEATHER. REGISTRATIONS CAN BE TRANSFERRED TO ANOTHER CYCLIST. 

Hey you've read the itinerary...you heard from your buddies how awesome it was last year...Don't wait!