SPECIAL & OVERNIGHT BICYCLE TOUR DESCRIPTIONS
  PICAYUNE STRAND, FAKAHATCHEE STRAND, EVERGLADES CITY, 10,000 ISLANDS NATIONAL SEASHORE,
            EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK, FLORIDA KEYS, KEY WEST, MARCO ISLAND
   PRICES
We offer FOUR other bicycle  eco-tours beyond the three Picayune Strand Day Tours.
The Special Night Ride, The Picayune Strand Bike & Camp Tour,  and the Everglades to Key West Overseas highway Tour, and the multi-sport Bike and Kayak 100 Mile Eco-Loop.

Our bicycles all vary in 3 general classes but are all trail bikes and  set up with appropriate tires and accessories. We will test and adjust the suspensions, seats, stems, grips, etc..  to achieve a blend with the rider, the bike and the general terrain .

We're proud of our bicycles. All of them have been put together for a specific purpose and tested thoroughly. Each bike is a thrill to ride in its own right and has advantages depending on the basic variables, but all have the ability to go off road. All have fat tires, varying  2" - 4"  wide.

We  provide helmets, lights, rear racks, bike bags, tarps, chairs and pedals. (platforms are standard  but click-ins available). If you have a seat or pedals that you want to use,  just bring them and we'll install them.
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We provide ice cold water, fresh fruit, snack bars and coffee on our special night tours. 
 
For the overnight events, Everglades Edge outfitters will provide all food and refreshments.
Be sure to let us know any particular preferences or allergies in advance when signing up and we'll be sure to accommodate your preferences.

We have secure spots for parking and a comfortable place to plan and prepare before tours, and to rest afterward at the Everglades Edge trailhead and headquarters within Picayune Strand state forest. At the "Edge",  we have additional refreshments and items such as juice or gloves and other essentials available for our tour customers to purchase- as well as a bike repair shop,  restroom and picnic area
                                                                                     What to bring!

 A.  CLOTHES

  1. Shoes- light hiking shoes, heavy running shoes. Bike foot wear is good if it can be used for walking. Mountain type bike shoes are good. We have lock in clip pedals available. Otherwise platform pedals are simple, easy and standard on our bikes.
Also bring some additional lightweight sneakers, thongs or sandals to wear around camp in comfort.

For kayakers and sailors, inexpensive surf shoes are ideal to have handy for getting in and out along the shoreline. Oyster bars are numerous and shells are very tough on your feet - foot protection  from those hazards is mandatory and surf shoes offer excellent protection and easy on and off but they still stay put when walking in the surf.

  2. If you bring your own bike helmet, have one equipped with a visor. We use them not just for sun but also for light and bug relief at times. Polarized sunglasses are great for the blinding glare of daytime as well as for general protection and an important item to have with you.
 
For kayakers and sailors, a well ventilated & light colored large brimmed hat, will best protect your head and you from the hot glaring sun and worth the effort to get a good one with a strap to keep it on in the wind.

  3. Bring a lightweight rain jacket and other layers for changing weather conditions such as a lightweight T or heavy T and sweat shirt or thermal undershirt. Long pants like sweats or something light for night is good as well as some extra heavy socks to keep your feet warm in the tent.
For sun control, a lightweight and loose fitting long sleeve light colored cotton shirt is ideal.

When it doubt, bring it along and the guide will help you determine what you'll need for the day. Sometimes things can get hotter than you'd ever expect as well as colder at times but we'll know the prevailing conditions of the day very well.
  
 4. Thick shorts with pockets or padded riding shorts are suggested unless it's really hot. Seat fatigue will depend on how much you've been riding and how much over  the rough roads. If not much lately, then riding pads for your seat is suggested. Also bring your padded biking gloves. If you need gloves we have new ones available for our tour customers to purchase as well other general items.

For kayakers and sailors, bring some extra swim shorts and shorts to wear in the tent. The salt spray will make those you are wearing grimy and stiff and should be rinsed and dried at days end.

      B.  FOOD AND DRINKS. 

 1. We have places for 2 bottles on each bike and can carry more. We provide ice water, bottles, granola bars and  fresh fruit for our snacks on  the night ride. For overnight tours we provide all food and drink for the duration of the tour.  We don't serve any alcohol but your welcome to bring your own.

    C.   PERSONALS

 1. Use of sunscreen is  extremely important. We have some available but bringing your own is a good idea. 2 types are suggested- spf 45 in a small tube for the face, nose and  ears for convenience and a larger back-up tube for moisturizing (non-greasy) and protecting general skin areas.

 2. For medications, I-pods, phones, keys, etc...  each bike has small storage seat, rack or frame bags for riders to take smaller personal items with them as needed.  For kayaking and sailing there are small dry bags, niches and deck bags available for each person.

 3. Bring a can of bug spray with you if you'd like. We will have spray and other repellents available and handy for everyone. But if you have to bring your own, take some that is in  a small tube or bottle that can be easily carried, doesn't leak or damage plastics.


NOTE:
Please sure to see also the specific tour manuals that are provided for each person that is going on the Multi-Sport Tour or the Overseas Hwy Tour.
There will be other valuable information included that will be need to be reviewed





                     NIGHT RIDES 
3 1/2 hours     
We require at least 2 riders signed up three (3) days in advance to schedule a night tour.
After obtaining a general description of customer expectations, E-E will determine a start time and a preliminary course to ride based on the group, weather, time, season and other factors and outfit for the tour accordingly. It is important to get to the "Edge" trailhead early enough for time  to select and fit your bike, study the route and get loose and prepare for a great ride. 30 minutes at least.
Night ride times can be  scheduled for anytime so long as reservations occur at least 3 days in advance.
Celestial events such as full moons, lunar eclipses or meteor showers make for excellent night-riding opportunities. Night is a time quite active for swamp life since most of the animals are nocturnal. Especially during summer nights. Everything looks different, smells different and the sounds can be incredible.
The temperatures are cooler especially after the rains and the hot sun is gone. The bugs are out, and so are the frogs and amphibians which will be singing in a chorus  that can actually resonate to a buzz in your head. A full spectrum of sound and biological immersion like no where else on earth.
Night time in a summer Florida swamp is perhaps the most magical place there is to experience your primeval sensory perceptions to their fullest.
  
   EVERGLADES TO KEY WEST OVERSEAS HWY. TOUR

8 days 7 nights
This tour begins day 1 with a 40 mile cross country ride through the Picayune Strand restoration onto Jane's Scenic Hwy. through the Fakahatchee Strand for a swamp walk, lunch and on to Everglades City for dinner and an evening at our quiet motel. 
Day 2 - The next morning it's breakfast as the bikes are loaded and then we begin a shuttle drive eastward down scenic Tamaimi Trail (US 41) through the Big Cypress preserve past Ochopee and stop at various places such as Clyde Butcher's Gallery or the Big Cypress Visitor's center. There's a lot of wildlife to see along the trail and a ride down Shark Valley's 15 mile causeway to the observation tower for a spectacular view of the "river of grass" and will be a ride never forgotten.  We will then continue on through Homestead to  Everglades National Park for dinner and camp in the woods.
Day 3 - next morning it's breakfast in the palmettos and a day spent riding and exploring the trails and nature attractions throughout the park. Early evening we are back to camp for dinner and a lounge around the camp fire.
Day 4 we have breakfast, break camp and take a short shuttle ride to Key Largo then on the bikes again as we Journey along the Overseas Hwy., stopping for a snorkel swim and  lunch at a local tavern. We'll continue our ride to Long Key State park for dinner and camp.
Day 5 starts early with a short ride across the 7 mile bridge to Bahia Honda State Park where we'll spend time at one of our Nation's best beaches, have lunch and play in the sandy coral and camp (if available) or stay at a nearby motel.
Day 6   We'll then continue our sightseeing ride through the lower keys and to our Hotel in Key West. Have a nice evening and dinner
Day 7 will be spent in Key West either in town or on the beach, snorkeling a reef or on a half day fishing trip. A great dinner at night and another stay in the hotel.
Day 8 begins with an early breakfast and then a ferry ride back to Marco Island with our bikes. That afternoon we will then ride a final 30 mile leg back to the Edge from Marco Island back past Goodland, through Collier Seminole S.P. and then home to Picayune Forest.


       THE PICAYUNE STRAND BIKE AND CAMP TOUR

2 days 1 night
(2 -8 people for camping)
 This tour begins in the afternoon at the "Edge" with a 3 hour ride down selected trails through the forest to the either the "T" handle campground at the top of  Fakaunion canal to the south or to the horse trail campground in Belle Meade to the west.
At the  Fakaunion there will be fishing and a couple of fishing Kayaks will be available for travel around on the canals. There is also some good trails for biking around the area as well in camp we'll have a very nice Bar-B-Q of roast pork, chicken and fish for an excellent outdoor southern style dinner. We'll lounge around the campfire and enjoy the stars and perhaps an owl will come and talk to us later on.
The other choice of a camp- Belle Mead, doesn't have any fishing or kayaks but it's closer and an excellent location for hiking and is situated in a very picturesque oak hammock.
In the morning we'll have a great camp breakfast and perhaps hike or ride the prairie or just take the long road  back to the "Edge" trail head and arrive home in early afternoon. Snacks and drinks will be available on the rides.
Another variation on this tour is to delete the camping portion and create a picnic event instead.  Everything is the same except camping will be deleted and everyone will ride to and from the Belle Mead site for this event. It's location is much closer to the "Edge" and the ride can be shorter for coming back later the same day.  (4 -12 people for picnic)


              THE MULTISPORT TOUR

        BIKE & KAYAK 10,000 ISLANDS - 100 MILE ECO-TOUR LOOP
5 days 4 nights
This eco-tour takes us on a comprehensive tour around the Everglades and the 10,000 islands estuary in a large 100 mile land and sea loop.
We begin by riding through Picayune Strand S. F. on the trails touring the plants, wildlife and  restoration areas and then  ride our bikes  on Jane's Scenic Hwy. through  Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve. We'll stop for a swamp walk and look for orchids and have lunch.
We'll continue on through Copeland to Everglades City.  About 45 miles total ride to our motel and check out the town.
Day 2 begins at the dock after breakfast and we kayak out into the bay and out through the passes about 15 - 20 miles to our beach Island campsite. We'll eat a lunch on the way and the beach landfall will be a welcome sight. We then set up and sail our Kayaks around the island or fish, shell and enjoy life on the beach with the birds. A nice dinner then a campfire.
Day 3 starts again with breakfast and camp breakdown and then out to explore and travel.
We'll meander through the mangroves, snack and lunch on the way until we get to our other island campsite about 15 - 20 miles farther west . We repeat the night before.
Day 4 - breakfast, camp break, and then more exploring back to the northwest
to the end of the Blackwater river to our land camp and enjoy historical Collier Seminole S.P.
Day 5 - another great breakfast and a short morning hike then on the bikes for the final leg North through Collier Seminole and  Picayune Strands Belle Meade backcountry trails back home to the "Edge". About 20 miles.