Comments on Bike Jax: Cycle Chic: Jacksonville Beach Style

Is this still going on?? I know a TON of girls at...

2011-06-26T22:10:27.684-04:00

Is this still going on?? I know a TON of girls at the beach that would love to be involved, but I haven't heard of anything going on as of late...

I found that Atlantic is a much safer route to get...

2010-08-24T23:52:22.889-04:00

I found that Atlantic is a much safer route to get to the beach as well. I start at Southside and Deerwood parkway, to Gate Parkway, go past (or behind) Town Center, go through the UNF, and head North along the great Kernen bike path to Atlantic.

It is fine until you pass over the inter-coastal bridge, then you need to find a bike friendly route such as Florida Ave which someone else suggested.

On the southern side I have biked up from St Augustine up A1A, or up the route starting from Phillips Hwy (US1), going up palm valley road, and traveling up the slightly risky shoulderless mickler road.

In either of these South routes, when it reaches micklers landing at A1A I chose to stick to the meandering sidewalk path along A1A until I got to the JTB intersection and could get to the roads next to the beach. But, there is Pontre Vedra Blvd (SR203) that looks like it might be a better option. I just have not tried that route yet. Terry S.

We ride from Atlantic and Hodges to the beach regu...

2010-07-20T22:26:16.537-04:00

We ride from Atlantic and Hodges to the beach regularly. The key is to get off Atlantic as you cross the ditch (Intercoastal Waterway). There are no bike lanes on either Atlantic or Beach, so you are religated to ride the sidewalk and cross at least 100 business entrances and all the danger that involves. The buses and pick-ups rip along pretty close to the curb, so street riding is not safe. All the work the city of JAX has done to get bike lanes on the major roads, and the lanes dissapear once you hit the beach communities. Poor planning and not as bike friendly as you mention. No bike lanes on A1A, either, even though they are completing a major re-work (I thought the city was bound by law to add bike lanes any time the road work was considered "major")?
The key to get off Atlantic is to take Florida Ave., which starts right where the Mayport Road flyover takes a turn to the north. It is under the bridge, and goes to the right (south) before turning east toward the beach. Florida has a nice multi-use path on the north side, and goes all the way to 3rd avenue (A1A), where you can go north or south on the side streets to get where you need to be.

I go to the beach by way of Beach and Atlantic. I ...

2010-07-20T19:46:14.182-04:00

I go to the beach by way of Beach and Atlantic. I ride Beach to St. Johns Bluff, then get on Atlantic. There's a nice bike lane all the way to the Bridge. I haven't been on Beach since they started building the new bridge.

If you go on a weekend morning Beach Blvd. can actually be kind of nice. There also various sidestreets to take to avoid crappy areas like the Beach/University intersection.

Google maps is a great way to find nice cycle routes and discover parts of Jacksonville you never knew existed.

And if you want to get plastered at the beach you can ride the bus back.

Of course, proper cycling attire and a road bike make the trip less painful. You can stow your chic threads in a pannier or backpack.