Post by nittany1 on Sept 27, 2009 19:55:19 GMT -5
Today I went on a short ride to Boca Grande, FL from home in Sarasota, FL, a round trip ride of ~120 miles. It was a nice day but there were quite a few tall rain clouds that looked like they wanted to drop their rain.
ADLY Thunder Bike 50 at Boca Grand, public beach access parking.
The trip down was easy, if a little windy. I stopped for gas on the way down because I wasn't sure if there were gas stations on Boca Grande never having being there before. There is a toll booth on the way across the causeway which I wasn't expecting but it's only $3.50 at the moment, it's worth it for the nice ride.
ADLY Thunder Bike 50 at Boca Grand, public beach access parking.
There are several ways to enjoy Boca Grand on your scooter, you can do what I did and pack a picnic and stop at one of the public access beach points. They have picnic benches as well as BBQ hibachi grills although many of the ones I saw were broken from their posts and had fallen through to the ground.
Boca Grand, public beach access, picnic area featuring public restrooms.
In the picnic areas they do have public use restrooms although I didn't partake in their use, so I can't tell you how clean they are. The picnic benches are in good repair but the BBQ grills not so much.
Boca Grande, facing west towards Gulf of Mexico
The beach is nice, there was quite a bit of surf for it being the Gulf of Mexico. It was from the stiff breeze from the weather moving through. It wasn't too crowded, especially for a Sunday afternoon. If you're looking or a nice quiet beach experience, Boca Grande is a good place for it.
Boca Grande, public beach, defunct lighthouse, public restroom.
Besides the public beaches you can simply ride your scoot around Boca Grande which is relaxing in itself. There is little traffic, it seems that everyone drives around on electric golf carts, even early teenagers. People visit their neighbors or go to the beach or go to the stores in the village areas on their golf carts. There are a few areas where you're not allowed to go but those areas are clearly marked with signs on both sides of the road, and that's mostly up by the toll booth and causeway area. There are a few gulfside motels/hotels to stay in and a few shops plus a few nice restaurants, although I was only staying for a little while, I was mostly interested in riding and exploring.
The ride home was easy too. I even stopped at Wal-Mart in Osprey/Nokomis on Tamiami to get some groceries.
Total trip: 120 miles
Total fun: ;D
Tolls: $3.50 for causeway bridge access to Boca Grande, paid only 1-way, going onto the island.
Smells along the way: sea air, the smell of the air after rain, several restaurants, seafood shacks, and one dead opossum.
If you're looking for a nice destination in Florida and you want to ride somewhere quiet and secluded and possibly stay overnight with state park, restaurant and small-town shops, Boca Grande is a good place to visit. I hope you enjoyed reading about my ride today as I enjoyed riding it. Have a good week!
ADLY Thunder Bike 50 at Boca Grand, public beach access parking.
The trip down was easy, if a little windy. I stopped for gas on the way down because I wasn't sure if there were gas stations on Boca Grande never having being there before. There is a toll booth on the way across the causeway which I wasn't expecting but it's only $3.50 at the moment, it's worth it for the nice ride.
ADLY Thunder Bike 50 at Boca Grand, public beach access parking.
There are several ways to enjoy Boca Grand on your scooter, you can do what I did and pack a picnic and stop at one of the public access beach points. They have picnic benches as well as BBQ hibachi grills although many of the ones I saw were broken from their posts and had fallen through to the ground.
Boca Grand, public beach access, picnic area featuring public restrooms.
In the picnic areas they do have public use restrooms although I didn't partake in their use, so I can't tell you how clean they are. The picnic benches are in good repair but the BBQ grills not so much.
Boca Grande, facing west towards Gulf of Mexico
The beach is nice, there was quite a bit of surf for it being the Gulf of Mexico. It was from the stiff breeze from the weather moving through. It wasn't too crowded, especially for a Sunday afternoon. If you're looking or a nice quiet beach experience, Boca Grande is a good place for it.
Boca Grande, public beach, defunct lighthouse, public restroom.
Besides the public beaches you can simply ride your scoot around Boca Grande which is relaxing in itself. There is little traffic, it seems that everyone drives around on electric golf carts, even early teenagers. People visit their neighbors or go to the beach or go to the stores in the village areas on their golf carts. There are a few areas where you're not allowed to go but those areas are clearly marked with signs on both sides of the road, and that's mostly up by the toll booth and causeway area. There are a few gulfside motels/hotels to stay in and a few shops plus a few nice restaurants, although I was only staying for a little while, I was mostly interested in riding and exploring.
The ride home was easy too. I even stopped at Wal-Mart in Osprey/Nokomis on Tamiami to get some groceries.
Total trip: 120 miles
Total fun: ;D
Tolls: $3.50 for causeway bridge access to Boca Grande, paid only 1-way, going onto the island.
Smells along the way: sea air, the smell of the air after rain, several restaurants, seafood shacks, and one dead opossum.
If you're looking for a nice destination in Florida and you want to ride somewhere quiet and secluded and possibly stay overnight with state park, restaurant and small-town shops, Boca Grande is a good place to visit. I hope you enjoyed reading about my ride today as I enjoyed riding it. Have a good week!
