Ask An Expert: Best Bike Rides In South Florida

Bike riding has quickly become a South Florida phenomenom, with both amateurs and professionals taking to the open air on two wheels. This "Best Of" experience comes from a local who's affiliated with two of the most well-known entities in South Florida. His expertise comes from his love of riding as well as his extensive knowledge from the many rides he's taken personally and as part of large events like Miami Critical Mass. Our biking enthusiast offers his experience and expertise of the South Florida terrain to recommend bike routes that'll offer the best riding experience, whether you ride for training, fitness or just for fun.

Webber Charles

Lee's Locksmith & Bicycles
1101 N. Federal Highway
Hollywood, FL 33020
(954) 925-5157

Webber has covered hundreds of miles individually and with dozens of local amateurs and professional cyclists in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. His training as an expert bike rider comes from his many tours with the Miami Critical Mass and through affiliation with local institutions like Lee's Bike Shop. Through these interactions, he's developed extensive knowledge about cycling, including the best bike routes that cover a wide terrain. He also has taken personal cycling expeditions that explore several areas of South Florida, including Key Biscayne, Weston, Coconut Grove and Hollywood Beach. Read on for some of his favorite rides.

Aventura Ride

This route begins and ends in Aventura, on Country Club Drive. This road is also adjacent to the William Lehman Causeway (State Road 856). This route is ideal for road bike enthusiasts.

"It's an ambitious route if tackled without breaks, but can be used for less aggressive rides if broken up with time for repose. I usually do several laps on Country Club drive to warm up the legs. After three or four laps counter clockwise, I crossover to AIA using the William Lehman, which is an elevated causeway with a moderate shoulder. On AIA (moderate bike suitability), I travel south to 17th Street, South Beach. I take 17th Street (Venetian Causeway) to North Miami Avenue. Travel south on North Miami Avenue. It becomes South Miami Avenue after you cross the elevated bridge into Brickell. Continue south on South Miami Avenue until you arrive at the major intersection of Southwest 26th Road. Make a left and enter the Rickenbacker Causeway. I ride the entire length of the key and turn around at the entrance of Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park. I take the exact same route (in reverse) back to Country Club Drive in Aventura."

Coconut Grove To Key Biscayne

This route starts in Coconut Grove and extends into Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park on Key Biscayne. The route can be modified to include the bike path inside the state park.

"This route commences at Cocowalk in Coconut Grove. Head south on South Bayshore Drive from in front of the Cocowalk shopping plaza. South Bayshore Drive bends east toward the Rickenbacker Causeway. Continue east on South Bayshore Drive. South Bayshore Drive becomes South Miami Avenue. Make a right on US1 and shortly another right onto the Rickenbacker Causeway. The Rickenbacker is approximately six miles in length. A rider can ride to the entrance of Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park and turn around or enter the park and take advantage of the partly canopied two-mile paved bike path and then return to Cocowalk."

Young Circle to John U. Lloyd Beach State Park

This route begins at Young Circle in Hollywood, with part of its route heading into John U. Lloyd Beach State Park in Dania Beach.

"Head east on Hollywood Boulevard toward A1A. Hollywood Boulevard is smooth and wide and boasts wide bike lanes. Make a left on Ocean Drive (A1A) and head north toward Dania Beach Boulevard. Continue north to John U. Lloyd Beach State Park. (Entrance fee is $2 for cyclists.) Inside the state park is a nearly secluded winding road with slight variations in elevation, providing the opportunity to practice sprints without the burden of traffic. It offers a safe, leisurely path for the biker high on safety. I recommend five to six laps in the park to bank at least 15 miles before returning along the route to young circle. Hollywood Boulevard is also an excellent path for practicing cycling sprints."

Related: Best Bike Paths In Miami

Westbound From Hollywood to Pembroke Pines/C.B. Smith Park

This route starts at U.S. Highway 1 and Griffin Road in Hollywood and travels westbound to C.B. Smith Park in Pembroke Pines. Note: It usually requires dealing with a rough patch or two of high vehicular interaction.

"Starting at US1 and Griffin Road, head west on Griffin Road. Continue west on Griffin Road past University Drive. At Flamingo Road, make a left. Head south on Flamingo Road towards Pines Boulevard. Off to your right, near the intersection of Pines Boulevard and Flamingo Road, is C.B. Smith Park. The park features a recreational bike path that can be used to supplement this route. Because I typically take this ride early in the morning, the park is usually not an option. At Pines and Flamingo, I head back north on Flamingo and back east on Griffin Road to US1."

Cocowalk/Coconut Grove to Old Cutler Road/Cutler Bay Farmers' Market

This route starts at Cocowalk in Coconut Grove and ends its one-way trip on Old Cutler Road at the farmers' market in Cutler Bay. This is a favorite between novice and pro-cycling junkies. Various bike clubs in Miami use the Old Cutler route to the Cutler Bay Farmers' Market frequently

"Starting at the Cocowalk Shopping Center, head south on Main Highway. At Douglas Road (Southwest 37^th Avenue), make a left. Head south on Douglas Road and merge onto Ingraham Highway. At Lejeune Road (Southwest 42^nd Avenue), make a left. Merge right unto Old Cutler Road. Head south on Old Cutler. At Red Road (Southwest 57^th Avenue), make a left. Head south on Red Road. Red Road becomes Old Cutler Road. Continue on Red Road past Southwest 67^th Avenue. Continue on Old Cutler Road, merging left whenever a fork presents itself. At Southwest 87^th Court is the Cutler Bay Farmers' Market. (This is a great spot to replenish yourself with fluids and nutritioous foods.) Take the same route in reverse for the return trip to the Cocowalk Shopping Center."