[combs6136]

Hi, I will be riding around Florida for one week late in March...Any suggestions on what to see?...........And how to avoid the bad traffic.....carl

 

[Scooter_Maniac]

Hook up with a guide and snorkel with the manatees at Kings Bay on the West Coast.

 

[lojo]

Hi Carl,

I live in Central Florida near Cocoa Beach and Cape Canaveral. I think it's a beautiful place and worth a part of your touring.

See links below for Florida motorcycle routes:

http://www.motorcycleroads.com/Routes/Florida_85.html

http://www.motorcycleroads.us/states/fl.html

http://www.sundaymorningrides.com/road/states/FL.shtml

Happy Trails.

 

[mikeyMarine]

take snake and gator repellent when you start down 27 south and don't pet anything that looks like a moving tree. stay out of the shade in the swamp unless you are covered in deet and if anyone on a bicycle with no teeth wants to be your buddy, be real selective. Don't eat fruit off the tree if it looks odd, not the right shape or has bad color or skin, no harm, just tastes nasty, Legoland in central florida has water park and roller coasters besides lego stuff, and you are welcome to swing by my man cave for a horrible cup of joe and a break if yhou feel like diverting to the center of the state, Tampa is on my left and vero beach on my other left so I probably won't see you as they are both great places to go, to avoid traffic I'd say the major consideration would be don't travel while school buses are running ! and on I4 and I95 try to avoid monday thru sunday :evil:

 

[29534]

I circled Florida a few years ago and my favorite part was the Tamiami Trail (the part through the Everglades, about 100 miles). http://www.sptimes.com/2003/webspecials ... ter4.shtml

 

[Scootereno]

I circled Florida on a map once. :lol: But really....
Florida is a fun pace to ride. They have no helmet law, the locals drive like their either 16 or 80 years old and the pavement will eat up your tires quickly. :roll:
If your down there around Feb 22-24 there is a scooter rally in Coco Beach that some of us will be attending. Hope you have fun!

 

[Fatjock]

I circled Florida on a map once. :lol: But really....
Florida is a fun pace to ride. They have no helmet law, the locals drive like their either 16 or 80 years old and the pavement will eat up your tires quickly. :roll:
If your down there around Feb 22-24 there is a scooter rally in Coco Beach that some of us will be attending. Hope you have fun!

We actually do have a helmet law............but all it states is that if you can show evidence of a minimum of $10,000 medical coverage, and you are over age 21, then you need not wear a helmet if you don't want to.
Under 21, or or no medical coverage, helmet required.

Eye protection is mandatory, which normally means wear sunglasses.

I agree the Tamiami is a nice ride, and 27 is a popular route for bikes going down the eastern side.

Depending on your time available and what you want to cover, I'd recommend taking US1 down to Key West too. It's one of the rides everyone has to do once in a lifetime.

There's lots more, so if you let us know your rough destinations, I'm sure the Floridians can come up with a wealth of ideas, and I'm sure there's a few of happy to provide somewhere for you to overnight on your travels.

 

[wayneman]

Avoid I-95 like "The plague"..

 

[cliffyk]

US 27 runs from the Georgia line to Miami, just about through the middle of the State for its entire length, some 500 miles--there is nothing "East" about it:

Which brings up another issue, Florida is BIG. If one were to drive from Miami to Los Angeles, 2800 miles, 800 of those miles would be in Florida. My point is that if you are going to be here for just a week I would recommend you pick a region and explore that, rather than trying to see it all. In late March South of Orlando on either coast will guarantee the very best riding weather--there is always one night during Bike Week that it gets as cold has Holden Caulfield's "witch's teat"...

 

[RussL]

that is a good idea to divide up in sections... It depends on when u travel... the summer is hot in the keys but a great ride and Key West is a fun town... The ride is interesting and the seafood is great... I ride with a helmet on as my head is worth more than the trip... Have fun and enjoy...

 

[Fatjock]

US 27 runs from the Georgia line to Miami, just about through the middle of the State for its entire length, some 500 miles--there is nothing "East" about it:.............................

Fair enough, my only experience of it (US27) is from the bottom end of Lake Okeechobee down into Miami (NW36th street), which is pretty Eastern, so that's why I mentioned that. But also bear the following in mind:

1) In fact down in Miami it gets to be within 2 miles of the intercoastal, and within 5 miles of the Atlantic ocean. So to classify it as having "nothing "East" about it" is about as disengenuous as classifying the entire road as eastern. Two wrongs don't make a right.
2) I actually described it as a "popular route for bikes going down the eastern side" which at it's southern end, it actually is (especially at weekends). So not really factually inaccurate, but I accept is far from telling the whole story.

When I lived I Pembroke Pines, it was certainly part of my chosen route to get down onto US1 heading for the keys (Pines Blvd.- US27-SR997-US1), rather than I-95 or the Turnpike. Or if heading across to Naples for lunch on day off (Pines Blvd.- US27-SR997-US41 Tamiami trail). If just out for a test run I used to take 27 up to Okeechobee, then come back down on 441 (checks out open road, and heavy traffic!).

At this Southern end it is also heavily patrolled by law enforcement, as it is a known trafficking route.So not a great place for pushing the speed limits. Further North than the lake, I have no knowledge of it.


I totally agree with your comments on the size of Florida. I know heading North from Metro Miami area, taking the Turnpike up to Ocale, then I-75, it's over 7 hrs by road to hit the State Border into Georgia. To try and do all in one week means you just get to scrape the surface.

 

[cliffyk]

OK, the last 20 to 30 of its 500 miles are "East"...

My daughter, grandsons and one great-grandson live in Pembroke Pines--go there often. You are correct about the enforcement activity, I have seen fewer cops at Bike Week...

 

[wayneman]

I also lived in Pembrooke Pines/Cooper city area. Grew up there. Went to Pines middle school as a youngster.
Fished alligator alley many, many times. US 27 is also known as "Truckers Alley". Truckers use this road because it does
go right through the middle of the state and they pay NO TOLLS. Problem is there is a lot of 2 lane roads on US 27. Very inpatient
drivers cause a lot of accidents. I-75 down to miami/kendall/homestead and the keys is the way to go. I-75 is like a dream ride
compared to I-95. i quit riding altogether on the east coast of FLA. It just got way to dangerous. Anything or anyone who breathes air
is given a drivers license over there and you have little sub countries like "Little Haiti", Little Havana" most of which speak little to know english,
carry little to no insurance and couldn't read a english traffic sign if there life depended on it. Thus, it was tough enough to survive in a cage
with 4 wheels not alone on a bike with 2 wheels. Visit the West coast of Fla. The people are nicer, the beaches are spectacular and riding is a dream.
Although, anywhere yo go in Florida this time of year is filled with snow birds and the West coast of Fla is no exception. We are loaded here.
Actually, i think the entire states of Michigan and Indiana are jammed into our little tropical paradise with us right now. Sarasota is very difficult
to move around in. Even so, i don't have the fear of riding over here that i had on the east coast even in our busy season. Good luck on your Journey.
Keep your head on a swivel, and ride defensively.Take care.

US 27 runs from the Georgia line to Miami, just about through the middle of the State for its entire length, some 500 miles--there is nothing "East" about it:.............................

Fair enough, my only experience of it (US27) is from the bottom end of Lake Okeechobee down into Miami (NW36th street), which is pretty Eastern, so that's why I mentioned that. But also bear the following in mind:

1) In fact down in Miami it gets to be within 2 miles of the intercoastal, and within 5 miles of the Atlantic ocean. So to classify it as having "nothing "East" about it" is about as disengenuous as classifying the entire road as eastern. Two wrongs don't make a right.
2) I actually described it as a "popular route for bikes going down the eastern side" which at it's southern end, it actually is (especially at weekends). So not really factually inaccurate, but I accept is far from telling the whole story.

When I lived I Pembroke Pines, it was certainly part of my chosen route to get down onto US1 heading for the keys (Pines Blvd.- US27-SR997-US1), rather than I-95 or the Turnpike. Or if heading across to Naples for lunch on day off (Pines Blvd.- US27-SR997-US41 Tamiami trail). If just out for a test run I used to take 27 up to Okeechobee, then come back down on 441 (checks out open road, and heavy traffic!).

At this Southern end it is also heavily patrolled by law enforcement, as it is a known trafficking route.So not a great place for pushing the speed limits. Further North than the lake, I have no knowledge of it.


I totally agree with your comments on the size of Florida. I know heading North from Metro Miami area, taking the Turnpike up to Ocale, then I-75, it's over 7 hrs by road to hit the State Border into Georgia. To try and do all in one week means you just get to scrape the surface.

 

[Houndguy]

I am in Zephyrhills, Fl and if your around give me a call. I also serve horrible Joe but the GF/wife is a good cook. I'm very near the Green Swamp which is a nice twisty ride. An hour from the Mouse and and hour from Tampa and Busch Gardens.

I highly recommend Crystal Springs for a glass bottom boat ride. Tarpon Springs cause it's a neat place. Swimming with the Manatee's. For a taste of old Florida check out Bok Tower Gardens, Solomon's Castle (another great ride) and the mermaids at WeekiWachee.

If you need a place to crash, I got an extra room as well.

Enjoy!

 

[Fatjock]

I also lived in Pembrooke Pines/Cooper city area. Grew up there. Went to Pines middle school as a youngster.
Fished alligator alley many, many times. US 27 is also known as "Truckers Alley". Truckers use this road because it does
go right through the middle of the state and they pay NO TOLLS. Problem is there is a lot of 2 lane roads on US 27. Very inpatient
drivers cause a lot of accidents. I-75 down to miami/kendall/homestead and the keys is the way to go. I-75 is like a dream ride
compared to I-95. i quit riding altogether on the east coast of FLA. It just got way to dangerous. Anything or anyone who breathes air
is given a drivers license over there and you have little sub countries like "Little Haiti", Little Havana" most of which speak little to know english,
carry little to no insurance and couldn't read a english traffic sign if there life depended on it. Thus, it was tough enough to survive in a cage
with 4 wheels not alone on a bike with 2 wheels. Visit the West coast of Fla. The people are nicer, the beaches are spectacular and riding is a dream.
Although, anywhere yo go in Florida this time of year is filled with snow birds and the West coast of Fla is no exception. We are loaded here.
Actually, i think the entire states of Michigan and Indiana are jammed into our little tropical paradise with us right now. Sarasota is very difficult
to move around in. Even so, i don't have the fear of riding over here that i had on the east coast even in our busy season. Good luck on your Journey.
Keep your head on a swivel, and ride defensively.Take care.

Yup, no arguments from me on these observations.........

 

[combs6136]

Well, did i ever get some replies...........Thanks a lot....I will be starting my ride in Brandenton.....Is Webster still a good flea market?....I stopped there years ago..........The last ride in the state, i got sunburned...Hope to be prepared this time.......I will review all the comments before i leave on the ride.....I did forget how long the state is.....I am looking at 8 hr. rides for 6-7 days.....I will be flexible on plans.......I have hauled my Burgman a few times on trips..Last time to Colorado..Just got new tires for the trailer....Already have my GPS mounted.....Rode 500 miles in one day to Madison, Wis..Won't be doing that again..................Thanks again for all the comments...........carl