Day 1

Day #1:  Key West-Sugarloaf Key 19.1 miles (91 Degrees)

Our day started at 4:30 this morning in Stamford, CT.  We flew to Miami, then Key West, where our bike trip formally began. 

It was pretty cool to look down from the plane window and think that we might be biking in some of those places over the next few weeks.  When we arrived in Key West around 2PM, we shared a taxi with a nice woman from Tennessee.  When she realized that my dad was not the guy who had “hit on her” last night, she had no problem sharing the cab with us.  The taxi dropped us off at The Bike Shop – a great bike store in Key West which we were lucky to get in touch with before we left.  Sean and Ryan, who run the place had our bikes reassembled, and we were able to get on the road right away. 

The first mile we biked was in the wrong direction, but that was on purpose.  We wanted to head in the wrong direction early on, so that we would never do it again. (Joking)

Actually, we did it so we could start at the Southernmost point in the United States.  A nearby tour guide pointed out to us that when standing at the Southernmost Point, “you’re closer to Cuba than to a Wal-Mart.” 

From the Mile 0 marker, we began our journey north.  Most of the way there were pretty nice bike paths, and the whole ride was literally on the edge of the ocean.  The views were breathtaking, and while it felt like a million degrees, there were some really nice breezes near the ocean, which my dad described as “a machaya”. 

(shoutout to Mother)

We took a nice break in a Chevron station, which my dad said was a little sketchy – with most men heavily tattooed and not wearing shirts.  But to me the Chevron station felt like luxury.  They had air conditioning, chocolate eclairs, a good potato chip selection, and cold water.  What more could you need?

The rest of the ride went smoothly (there was actually zero elevation), and we arrived at our hotel for the night with pretty low expectations.  Tripadvisor reviews of Sugarloaf Lodge are good, but they describe how the place has a lot of “charm” and a great “1950’s feel”.  We assumed charm was code for dirty, and 1950s feel meant run down.  Is it the nicest hotel I’ve ever stayed at? No.  However, its clean, has a pool, and has a beautiful view.  We will definitely sleep well tonight, and can’t wait to see where the road takes us tomorrow.

(view from the room)

Thanks for coming along for the ride!

P.S- Happy Birthday to Cousin Adina, and to our friend and neighbor Monica!