April 29, 2026
The challenge we faced while riding around Jekyll Island was using a coaster bike. It was unexpected, and we have not used those bikes in decades. It took some time to reacquaint ourselves with getting on and off those bikes.
Another challenge was cycling up the sand dunes with only one gear. Stopping was the final challenge when the cyclist just ahead of us suddenly stopped. We were to follow each other by one bicycle length. Most of us decided to follow the cyclist ahead of us by 30 feet.
We found the local drivers very courteous; they stopped for us and let us cross the road, even though it took a few minutes for the twenty of us to cross, riding in a peloton.
But once we got on the bikes, the pathways and scenery were worth the trouble of getting going on the coaster bikes. The island pathways were all paved, although I prefer dirt roads, in case I fall. Falling on the pavement could be painful. We were comfortable riding during the weekdays, but I suspect that on the weekends, cycling traffic might be heavy, especially given the pavement width, which was not 8 feet wide.
Our group is getting organized below, and the landscape along the ocean pathway.
The pathways circle the island, offering magnificent views of the ocean on one side. On the other side, the paths ring hotels, beach houses. The landscaping was outstanding on the entire island.
I found one disadvantage of riding in a group is the lack of opportunity to stop and take pictures when approaching a particularly attractive landscape. On the other hand, the guides lead us to the most photogenic sites.
We saw one of those unique sites today, Driftwood Beach. The picture below describes it better than I could.
The oldest tree on the Island, a live oak, was also spectacular with its huge overhanging branches.
We averaged 8 miles per hour riding. Surprisingly, we spent only 2 to 3 hours riding while being on the road all day. The reason is that we visited historical, cultural, and environmental sites, enriching Jekyll Island. But just riding on Jekyll Island alone is a very rewarding experience and I would certainly recommend it. Next time, however, I will take my road bikes and not use the coaster bikes available for rent.
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