Working in Orlando in May - is it worth hiring a bike and touring for a few days?

[Sneldog]

I have searched the forum and not found much on this topic so I am starting a thread. I am in Orlando in May with work and although I have travelled extensively around the US, I have never been to Florida before. Consequently, I would like to explore if I can and would rather do this on two wheels.

Does anyone have any experience of biking in FL? I reckon it would just be 3 days or so to have a look around and hopefully find some good roads and things to see.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[Mzokk]

Been to Florida a couple of times. It could be a bit sticky on a bike and even in May as the humidity is always high, you might experience thunderstorms between about 4pm and 6pm in the evening. Plenty to see. A run to Daytona raceway and beach is an experience. You can drive along the beach. Daytona itself is a bit seedy. Coca beach is lovely if you want a swim and affords good views of Cape Canaveral if they are launching something. Kennedy Space centre is worth a visit and its worth stumping up for the tour round the facility. The VAB Vehicle assembly building that was built for the Apollo missions is huge. Plenty of theme parks and golf courses if that's your bag. The everglades are great but a bit further away depending on how flexible you are.

Try not to stray into some of the more dodgy areas, but if you've been to America before you'll already know that.

 

[Arsey]

Rented bikes a few times over the years . Don’t do it for the roads but when I used to stay in Orlando I used to head over to Clearwater then over the Sunshine Skyway Bridge to Anna Maria Island . Lunch at The Sandbar

 

[mw3230]

The good old US of A is losing it’s appeal as Americans seem increasingly anti-Europe (and the rest of the world) and that f****r Trump will probably outlaw enjoyment soon

 

[NeilDD]

Rented bikes a few times over the years . Don’t do it for the roads but when I used to stay in Orlando I used to head over to Clearwater then over the Sunshine Skyway Bridge to Anna Maria Island . Lunch at The Sandbar

Anna Maria Island is a bit bashed up at he moment due to the hurricanes and storms over the last year.
I've a friend who lives near Bradenton, and his family are still out of their house on Anna Maria Island

 

[Arsey]

Anna Maria Island is a bit bashed up at he moment due to the hurricanes and storms over the last year.
I've a friend who lives near Bradenton, and his family are still out of their house on Anna Maria Island

Oh bugger

 

[Arsey]

The good old US of A is losing it’s appeal as Americans seem increasingly anti-Europe (and the rest of the world) and that f****r Trump will probably outlaw enjoyment soon

Best you stay away then .
Benidorm should be safe …

 

[Sneldog]

Thanks for this. Looks like it’s fine to hire a bike as a way to explore but the riding is largely in straight lines!

 

[brut33]

If you could stretch to a few more days, you could ride down the Florida Keys. I did it by car and would love to have been on a bike. It really is something different which gives the feeling of driving out into the ocean. The Keys are about a hundred miles long and Keywest is at the southern tip. It's is a nice laid back place with plenty of accommodation (needs to be booked in advance) bars and restaurants etc.

 

[theoneandonly]

take your heavy jacket .
the bugs and flying bugs are HUGE , compared to here.