Longboat Key
A Great Place to Peddle...
Bicycling Anna Maria Island is a great way to take in the many sites and sounds and of this tropic island environment.
Longboat Key, another tropical island paradise, is right next door, and any day is a great day to cycle either.
Like Anna Maria Island, bicycling on Longboat Key is a great way to enjoy your day any time of year.
The weather is always warm, there aren't any hills except for the Ringling Bridge and New Pass Bridge, and its just a down right nice place to bike.
Check out these bike related posts Bike Longboat Key and Bike Route To Sarasota, Siesta and Longboat Keys.
Here is a tourist friendly sidewalk ride through Longboat Key.
Starting at the New Pass Bridge, there is a wonderful nature preserve called Quick Point.
A sidewalk takes you to the edge of the water and then a shell and sand path winds through the tidal lagoon areas. You can pedal to the end of the path through the canopy of Australian pine and numerous other types of trees and palms.
Red, black and white mangroves grow in abundance and allow numerous local bird and fish species to thrive.
Along the way, there are three different lookouts that provide a beautiful view of man made as well as natural lagoons.
Then at the end, there is a great view of Sarasota Bay, sea grass beds and the skyline of downtown Sarasota.
As you pedal northbound, to the right is the entrance to Dry Dock Restaurant. It's a great restaurant that you can enjoy a lunch or dinner outside with the warm breeze and a view looking out over the Sarasota Bay.
The BP station next to it has air for your tires and cold water... so take advantage and prep yourself for the ride ahead.
You will soon notice that the city of Longboat Key has provided rest stops along the way at different locations. The bench they provide is usually in the shade alongside of the path. You'll pass the Longboat Key golf course on your left, which affords you a pleasant view of the flowering shrubs bordering the fairways.
A couple of miles or so later you'll come to the traffic light at Bay Isle Parkway. This serves as the entrance to the shopping area, Ave. of the Flowers. It's a great place for food, water, shade and restrooms. There is beach access across the road from the shopping area.
Bicentennial Park is also located at the edge of the bicycle path.
Pedaling north again you can enjoy the numerous flowering shrubs and trees. About a mile later you come to a great place to stop and enjoy a light breakfast or lunch. It's called Island Juice and Java, located at 3174 Gulf of Mexico Dr. The deli and cafe open at 7 am for you early bird bicycle riders, and across the street is a great beach access were you can view the emerald colored Gulf seas.
Everywhere you stop on Longboat Key you will find friendly people to greet you and answer any questions you may have about the local area.
As you continue north, about another quarter mile, you will pass another public access to the beach just before the area known as simply The Beach. This is a breath taking area of sand and surf that invites you to stop and stay awhile!
As you get to the edge of the beach stretch of road, you'll find is a nice park with restrooms, water and a few picnic tables under the shade of palm trees. A great place to sit and read a book, or simply look out over the Sarasota Bay.
Bicycling sure is a great way to see things. It allows for a slow pace, interrupted often by the sheer beauty of it all.
Just a mile north again is a great chance at the unspoiled beauty of the tidal mangroves at St. Mary's Church. Pedal around to the back of the church and to the end of the farthest parking lot. There you'll find an entrance to the Prayer Walk, a boardwalk that winds back to the bay. Here you can stop and enjoy the peace and beauty of the area for hours and never tire.
Three miles further and you come across yet another wonderful park on the right side of the road known as Joan M. Durante Community Park. The entrance is a driveway of crushed packed shell that is surrounded by numerous walkways that wind through different green areas with flowers and shade trees. At the end of the shell road is a covered wooden open air sitting area overlooking a grassy field.
Just a block north from there is Longboat Key's only bicycle rental and repair shop. Friendly service and they have plenty of bicycles to choose from, so visit even if you already have a bicycle or your looking for a different style of bike to try.
Your short bike tour of Longboat Key is getting close to the end with just a few more stops ahead to pass the time away. Pedaling doesn't have to be fast paced, it can be spent enjoying what beauty is surrounding us, the things that can only be seen and experienced with slow and relaxed, inquiring pace.
Your day, and the miles, have slipped by as you come across the Whitney Beach shopping area. In the parking lot you'll find a favorite of the bicycling crowd called Isabelle's Eatery.
You're now at what some call, Lands End, but there still are a few more places to stop and enjoy.
The first is the Longboat Key Art Center, which is towards the end of Longboat Key Road. Take the first right on Broadway St., then the next right. Pedal towards the end and you can't miss it.
When you leave there, follow the roads through the Old Florida neighborhood until you reach the Boat Slip and Sailboat Harbor. Park your bicycle and wander around on the docks. Visit Moores Stone Crab Restaurant and enjoy the unhurried atmosphere while looking out over the water. You will probably run across the local peacock flock wandering through the streets.
This isn't the end of your journey, because now you turn around and pedal back to the other end of the island.
Happy peddling and have a great time on Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key!
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