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Rider Information
Welcome and thank you for registering to ride with us on the
72 Hours to Key West Charity Bike Ride

 

Below you will find everything you need to finalize the details of your upcoming adventure.  Because we depart from Ft. Myers Beach as a group on November 14 at 7:00 am sharp, some riders may want to stay over the night before the ride to be ready bright and early.  ** Please make note that you need to make your hotel reservations no later than September 30th.  Please call each hotel and refer to 72 Hours to Key West Bike Ride to receive the special rate we have secured for you. 

 

** We strongly encourage that all riders stay at the pre-selected hotels. If you do not choose to stay at pre-selected hotels please understand that it will be your responsibility to get you, your bike, and gear to your hotel and back to the start each day. Our SAG vehicle will not make drops or pickups at any other hotels.

 

 

Parking for the Ride:  Riders will depart as a group from a fenced-in parking area located at 2080 Main Street, Fort Myers Beach, FL.  There will be a volunteer there to direct you to your parking spot.  Please secure all items and do not leave valuables in vehicles as they will be parked there until we return on Sunday, November 17th around 4:00 pm.

 

Directions: From I-75: Take exit 131 and proceed West on Daniels Parkway. Follow straight across US 41 (Tamiami Trail) and continue through light at Summerlin Road.  Follow until you reach lights at McGregor Blvd and turn left onto  McGregor Blvd. (Do not make any turns off of this road until you reach the  base of the bridge to Fort Myers Beach, which is Main Street.) Continue on   McGregor Blvd. the entire way…drive straight through lights at the intersection of  Gladiolus where the road becomes San Carlos Blvd. Continue straight through lights at the intersection of Summerlin Road and follow until you reach the base of the bridge that leads to Fort Myers Beach. This is the last possible left before crossing the bridge. Turn left onto Main Street and follow until you come to 2080 Main Street, which will be on the right side of the street.

                                               

From Bonita Beach Road: From US 41, travel West on Bonita Beach Road. You will pass Lover's Key State Park and travel over a bridge that will bring you onto Fort Myers Beach. At this point, Bonita Beach Road turns into Estero Blvd. Continue on Estero Blvd along the coastline to the big bridge at the north end of the island. (Here, you exit the island). Travel over the bridge and get into the right lane as the lanes divide. Turn right onto Main Street and follow until you come to 2080 Main Street, which will be on the right side of the street.    

 

 

For riders who plan on arriving in Ft Myers Beach the evening of November 3rd (night before the ride), please read below

 

 

Ft. Myers Beach Accommodations: No special rate.  It will be your responsibility to hire a taxi or car service to transport you to the start. Please speak to the hotel lobby about the various options available to you. There are also many other hotel options other than the 2 listed below. 

 

 

Night before ride

November 13:                     Hampton Inn (this is where staff and most riders stay)                                        

                                                11281 Summerlin Square Dr.

                                                Ft. Myers Beach, FL  33931

                                                239-437-8888

                                                Group Rate: TBD 

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** Please make note that you need to make your hotel reservations by September 30th.  Please call each hotel and refer to 72 Hours to Key West Bike Ride to receive the special rate we have secured for you. We have a set block of rooms available for our riders and if you fail to reserve by the deadline date you will not receive the special rate and may run the risk of being forced to stay at another non-participating hotel.

 

For those who wish to find a bunkmate to share a hotel room with please post your request on our 72 Hours FB page. This is by far the best way to reach all the other riders.

 

 

Ride Accommodations:

 

First Night, Nov. 14                Towneplace Suites by Marriott                   Double Occupancy/$119

                                                9055 SW 162nd Ave                                   Room Block Code – 72 Hours

                                                Miami, FL  33196

                                                305-383-5511

 

 

Second Night, Nov. 15         Fairfield Inn & Suites                                     Double Occupancy/$189

                                                13201 Overseas Highway                          72 Hours to Key West Block

                                                Marathon, FL  33050

                                                305-289-0222

 

Home Stretch, Nov. 16         Fairfield Inn & Suites                                Double Occupancy/$279

                                              3852 N Roosevelt Blvd.                              

                                             Key West, FL  33040

                                    

 

 

Victory Celebration:  We will ride together as a group to the southernmost point in Key West where we’ll take a group photo and enjoy a champagne toast to celebrate our incredible journey.  From the southernmost point, cyclists will ride as a group back to the doubletree hotel to check in.

 

At the hotel, riders can gather, mingle and celebrate their victorious ride.  From here you can put your party hat on and visit Duval St., have dinner, catch the sunset, visit Malory Square, or just relax & take a leisurely stroll. ENJOY!

 

IMPORTANT: It is your responsibility to transport your bike and bag to any non-participating hotels in Key West.  All personal items can be picked up at the Doubletree. There are usually taxi's available at the southernmost point so it shouldn't be too difficult to find alternate transportation.

 

 

Taxi Services:                        Five 6’s                                                           305-296-6666

                                                Key West Cab Company                            305-293-6860

 

Key West Chamber:             www.keywestchamber.org

                                                Visit this website to get more information about dining, sightseeing, music, and many other fun and interesting things to do during your visit.

 

Return to Ft. Myers:               MBI Motor Coach (included in fee)

  • Departs from DoubleTree Inn:  Sunday, Nov. 8th at 10:00 am

  • Bike must be brought to the hotel lobby by 8 am for loading

  • Stop for late lunch around 1 pm. Multiple fast food options available.

  • Arrives at original starting location Ft. Myers Beach: Approximately 6:00 pm

 

 

Safety Procedures & Bike Prep

  • We highly recommend that all riders have both flashing front and rear lights on their bike and keep them on during the duration of the trip. We will be sharing the road with vehicles and it is important that you make yourselves as visible as possible. Bright colored clothes are also recommended

  • We always ride in a single file line on all roads unless the shoulder offers adequate for riding two abreast. We always stay within the inside of the white line.

  • The use of a helmet mirror or similar is recommended for viewing what's coming behind you.  

  •  If your bike is equipped with aero bars and you plan on using them we kindly ask that you do not ride in a group formation while down in the bars. 

  • We will not be dispensing any kind of meds 

  • Always ride with at least one other person. Our SAG stops are spaced approximately 25-30 miles apart and you'll find that there will be various different speeds that riders will go, but to ensure the safety of everyone, please utilize the buddy system.

  • Please make us aware of any pre-existing medical conditions you may have either by sending me an email directly to Kevin@KevinBupp.com or by telling one of our support crew the morning of the ride. This information will remain confidential. We will have one nurse and one certified athletic trainer in the SAG crew to assist if any medical needs arise.

  • MOST IMPORTANT - IN CASE OF EMERGENCY PLEASE CALL 911 FIRST AND SAG SUPPORT SECOND

  • Please be sure your bike is freshly tuned up and your tires are in tip-top shape (preferably with puncture-resistant tires - Gatorskins are the best). Bike shops are few and far between on our route and although we will have a mechanic on the ride with us we cannot promise that he'll be able to fix everything. It's your responsibility to ensure that the bike you're riding has a good bill of health. 

  • Bring at least 3 extra tubes and 1 spare tire + a mini pump or co2 cartridges to fix a roadside flat if it occurs. It will be your responsibility to change your own flats. Our mechanic will be available for "out of the norm" repairs and items that need addressed during stops, but he will not be attending to roadside flats.

  • Please do not bring any hard-sided suitcases (excluding bike boxes) or anything larger than a medium size bag. Also, please do not place any fragile items in your bag as they will be stacked during transport. The ride staff will not be responsible for any damaged items within your bag

 

Rider Checklist:

  • Photo Identification – REQUIRED!

  • Bright Safety Lights for front and back of bike- REQUIRED!

  • Patch kit, four (4) spare tubes, four (4) CO2 cartridges or pump –  REQUIRED!

  • Helmet

  • Cycling gloves, socks, and shoes

  • Sunglasses, sunscreen & protective lip balm

  • Emergency cash and credit card

  • Water bottles or hydration pack 

  • Energy snacks (We will have on hand but feel free to bring ones of your choice)

  • Rain gear or poncho (We hope we won’t need it!)

  • Route Map  (Available at the start line)

  • Cell Phone (& charger)

  • SAG Support Contact Info (provided to you at the start)

 

Pack in Your Overnight Bag:   

Bag Requirements: Medium-sized and soft-sided only, please

 

ü  Change of clothes

ü  Shoes/flip flops 

ü  Extra riding clothes

ü  Toiletries, i.e. soap, shampoo, toothpaste, and toothbrush

ü  Hotel reservation information

ü  Medications

 

 

Bike Shipping to Ft Myers and From Key West

 

Ft Myers Bike Shops

EA Bicycles 239-415-6600
13251 McGregor Blvd Suite 108, Fort Myers, FL 33919

The Bike Route 239-481-3376
8595 college pkwy #200 Fort Myers, FL 33919

Trek Bikes of Ft Myers 239-931-6690
8291 Dani Dr #105 Ft Myers, FL 33966


Key West Bike Shop

Ask for Chris from Eaton bikes and he will accommodate any riders who need their bike disassembled and shipped. You can call them directly to arrange the service, but be sure to mention “72 hours to key west”
305-294-8188
830 Eaton street
Key West, FL 33040

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