Sharky’s Ride the Beaches offers 70, 35 and 15 mile routes starting in Venice, FL to support three local charities.
The 70-mile route will follow the 35-mile route for the first half. After Manasota Key the ride will head east through horse farm country. There will be a rest stop along the Myakka River. From there we head west again and will pick up The Legacy Trail. We will ride the trail up to the next rest stop sponsored by The Friends of The Legacy Trail and then to Casey Key, more riding along the beach, ending at Sharky’s for lunch.
The 35-mile routewill take you over the Intercoastal waterway to the neighborhood streets of south Venice. You will cross the intercoastal waterway again, and have your first rest stop. Now ride down beautiful Manasota Key. In some places you will be so close to the beach, you have to watch for sand in the road with many beautiful vistas of the Gulf! After returning up the key you will hit the rest stop again and head back to Venice, this time using the Venetian Waterway Trail part of the way.
The 15-mile route stays on the island of Venice. There is an optional extra 4 miles that goes over the circus bridge, S on the Venetian Waterway Trail (to Shamrock Park as the turn around point) and back. This ride is suitable for most individuals with a bike. You will ride to Casperson Beach to access the Venetian Waterway trail. After riding the trail to the north side of Venice you will ride low traffic roads to the Venice Yacht Club for your rest stop. From there you will meander through residential side streets back to Sharky’s.
2025's Ride the Beaches hosted over 650 cyclists and raised $40,000 for charity. In 20-plus years since our inception, Ride the Beaches has donated over $500,000 to charity. The owners and employees of Sharky’s as well as community members donate their time to this event. Every penny over cost is donated.
THE FOOD: All riders will start the day with breakfast on the beach at Sharky’s. Breakfast will be fresh fruit, juice, bagels, fruit bread, and coffee. All rest stops will be stocked with water, sports drink, fresh fruit, snacks and/ or sandwiches. BBQ lunch will be served on the beach at Sharky’s.