Large bicycle ride in Upper Keys this weekend will impact traffic

 

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society of South Florida annual bike ride into the Florida Keys — officially called Bike MS: Breakaway to Key Largo 2019 — is this weekend, March 2 and March 3.

 

This permitted event is expected to draw between 800 to 1,000 bicyclists to Key Largo and Islamorada.

 

The bicyclists are expected to begin at 7 a.m. Saturday at Florida International University in Miami. The riders will travel south to Card Sound Road, to State Road 905 and then U.S. 1.

 

The bicyclists are expected to arrive at Card Sound Road about 8 a.m. It should take them roughly 30 minutes to reach State Road 905. The riders are expected to finish the Florida Keys leg of the ride by 9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., give or take a few minutes. Note: These times are speculative based on rides in years past. The size of the group could affect arrival times.

 

The Sheriff’s Office will be temporarily stopping traffic to allow riders to cross U.S. 1 at the points listed by bullet point below:

 

  • They will be crossing U.S. 1 at Mile Marker 106 (this is likely to be the most congested point of the ride in terms of traffic).

 

  • They will continue south to Mile Marker 99/Atlantic Avenue where they will cross U.S. 1 again in order to reach the Holiday Inn Key Largo.

 

Note: Part of the group (the Century Riders pedaling 100 miles) will continue south on U.S. 1 until they reach Treasure Island Montessori School in Islamorada.

 

  • The Century Riders will cross U.S. 1 at Treasure Island Montessori School in Islamorada.

 

Some of the Century Riders may turn around upon reaching Treasure Island Montessori School and bicycle back northbound to the Holiday Inn Key Largo. Others may load their bikes onto vehicles upon arrival at Treasure Island Montessori School for the return trip to Holiday Inn Key Largo. Either way, the Holiday Inn Key Largo will ultimately be the final destination for all the riders.

 

  • On Sunday, all the riders are scheduled to leave the Holiday Day Inn Key Largo at 6:30 a.m. and bicycle northbound back to Florida International University in Miami via the same route.

 

Motorists are asked to plan accordingly for the event. Give yourself extra travel time and spread the word.

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