Where to bike in Punta Gorda? (Sarasota, Venice: home, construction, restaurants)

[2kayaks]

We are avid sea kayakers and road bikers. We started by visiting Venice/Sarasota. The WaterTrail /Legacy is very nice- but we felt limited in that the area roads were too busy for safe travel by bike for 30-50 mile trips.

There has been much favorable press about Punta Gorda recently. From its location, it appears there may be more options for road biking less traveled roads (hopefully with shoulders) for 30-50 mile trips.

I would appreciate any thoughts on road biking in the area - both around town for outings to stores and restaurants and for exercise. Also, would appreciate any other areas we should check out on our next trip.

Our retirement goal is to be able to kayak out the back door and bike out the front door.

[FLBob]

One of the things that I've noted is that most roads have no shoulders, bad for walking and even worse for biking.

Have you tried a route along the barrier Islands? Like Bird Key to Anna Maria?
Or Venice through South Venice (along the intra-coastal) to Manasota beach road, down beach on Manasota Key, then down 775 to Placida and onto Gasparilla island (Boca Grande)

[SoFLGal]

Here's a guide to Florida bike trails that you might find interesting:

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/gwt/PDF/biketrails_b_v6.pdf

[Big House]

Hi 2Kayaks,
I recently moved here to PGI, and for the most part around PGI you can bike pretty much around safely, along Marian and Bal Harbor (two of the main roads in and out of PGI) they have wide sidewalks so you can bike on them. There are a lot of people around here that bike. Aqui Esta, one of the other main roads in and out of PGI is currently under construction. It did not have sidwalks or a shoulder wide enough to bike, but I believe the new plans have bike accessibilty, but don't know for sure. I will try to find out.

I recently bought my wife and I bikes so we tool around here. I am not a Tour de France bike rider like one of my cousins, but we definitely can get around town and in and out of PGI safely along the road and sidewalks. On Saturday mornings they have a nice Farmer's market on Taylor Avenue and it is fun to bike to that, and while out we get a news paper, breakfast, and a newspaper before heading back. The farmer's market has fresh vegetables, fruit, cheeses, flowers, and seafood and other things. You can ride your bike to town easily or to one of the convienience stores for coffee and a newspaper, or you can walk if you wish, but it is a long walk though. People here ride bikes and walk all the time.

I just bought two kayaks myself, and have been kayaking all around the canal where my home is located. there are other canals in PGI that all have gulf access, and some are quite wild like, if you go to Ponce de Leon Park / inlet and launch you will see that.

SoFLGal posted a good link. PGI is pretty affordable you ought to check it out. But if you don't mind putting your bikes on a rack and driving a few minutes as well. I would definitely check out Boca Grande (the town). They have a wonderful path that is designed for bikes and golf carts. Its cool.

All things combined, I like what PGI offers though -its worth a look!