Large bicycle ride this weekend may impact traffic

The SMART Ride (Southernmost AIDS/HIV Ride) is a 165-mile bicycle ride from Miami to Key West set for Friday and Saturday — this weekend.  

• Hundreds of bicyclists are expected to take part in this event.

• The riders will not be riding in a pack, but will be spread out the length of the route.

• The first riders will begin leaving south Miami at 6:30 a.m., Friday. They will enter Monroe County via the 18-Mile Stretch.

• Riders will use the traffic light in Islamorada at Mile Marker 90.4 to cross U.S. 1.

• They will stop at Hawk’s Cay Friday night.

• The ride will resume at roughly 7 a.m. Saturday en route from Hawk’s Cay to Key West High School on Flagler Avenue.

Though traffic is not expected to be impeded on U.S. 1 for this event, motorists should expect slower traffic and plan accordingly.

For more information: www.thesmartride.org