California to Florida - hoping I can do it this summer
#1
02-01-2018, 10:15 PM
California to Florida - hoping I can do it this summer
Long time dream of mine to ride from California to Florida. This just might be the year, especially since I got my new RGS.
Planning on taking a few back roads so I can enjoy the scenery. I have a friend in Cookesville TN and my destination is my friends house in Winter Garden FL.
Any info you guys and gals could share would be greatly appreciated! Still planning this out, so I have a lot of work to do. This will more than likely be a solo trip. Not sure if I will be camping in a tent or staying at cheap motels.
Planning on taking a few back roads so I can enjoy the scenery. I have a friend in Cookesville TN and my destination is my friends house in Winter Garden FL.
Any info you guys and gals could share would be greatly appreciated! Still planning this out, so I have a lot of work to do. This will more than likely be a solo trip. Not sure if I will be camping in a tent or staying at cheap motels.
#2
02-01-2018, 10:50 PM
This doesn’t work for everyone but my method of planning any trip is to do no planning. As long as you have no time constraints, just take a decent road atlas and start heading east. I normally try and break my trips up with a mix of camping and Motels. I camp until the scrunge gets to be to much and then chill for a day or two in a room.
I have no doubt better ideas will be posted but what I have loosely described has always given me memorable trips.
Regardless, secondary roads are definitely the way to go if time allows.
I have no doubt better ideas will be posted but what I have loosely described has always given me memorable trips.
Regardless, secondary roads are definitely the way to go if time allows.
The following 2 users liked this post by IronAss:
Campy Roadie (02-03-2018),
Oldun (06-03-2018)
#3
02-01-2018, 11:06 PM
This doesn’t work for everyone but my method of planning any trip is to do no planning. As long as you have no time constraints, just take a decent road atlas and start heading east. I normally try and break my trips up with a mix of camping and Motels. I camp until the scrunge gets to be to much and then chill for a day or two in a room.
I have no doubt better ideas will be posted but what I have loosely described has always given me memorable trips.
Regardless, secondary roads are definitely the way to go if time allows.
I have no doubt better ideas will be posted but what I have loosely described has always given me memorable trips.
Regardless, secondary roads are definitely the way to go if time allows.
#4
02-02-2018, 12:10 AM
Road Warrior
There's a whole lot of territory between those states. What are the highlights you have in mind to see on the way there and back? Is this a "maybe the only time I'll get east of the Mississippi" kind of trip or "I'll be back out this way in a few years so I don't have to see it all" deal?
Some of the things I would try to hit would include:
Everglades National Park
Blue Ridge Parkway
Tail of the Dragon (and a few days just riding in the area)
BBQ in Memphis
BBQ in KC
BBQ in Carolina
BBQ in Texas
Natchez Trace Parkway
So, I think on your way to Cookeville, you could catch Memphis and ride part of the Natchez Trace. Then, between Cookeville and Winter Garden, hit the Tail of the Dragon/Deals Gap/Cherahola area and some of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
I think Savannah, GA is cool, as is just riding through GA and stopping in a small town for lunch.
I also enjoyed the ride from Pine Bluff, AR to Tallulah, LA. It doesn't have to be there, but somewhere along the way I think it makes sense to get a good taste of riding along the Mississippi.
Good luck. Have fun. Post pictures.
Some of the things I would try to hit would include:
Everglades National Park
Blue Ridge Parkway
Tail of the Dragon (and a few days just riding in the area)
BBQ in Memphis
BBQ in KC
BBQ in Carolina
BBQ in Texas
Natchez Trace Parkway
So, I think on your way to Cookeville, you could catch Memphis and ride part of the Natchez Trace. Then, between Cookeville and Winter Garden, hit the Tail of the Dragon/Deals Gap/Cherahola area and some of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
I think Savannah, GA is cool, as is just riding through GA and stopping in a small town for lunch.
I also enjoyed the ride from Pine Bluff, AR to Tallulah, LA. It doesn't have to be there, but somewhere along the way I think it makes sense to get a good taste of riding along the Mississippi.
Good luck. Have fun. Post pictures.
#5
02-02-2018, 12:53 AM
I often sleep on the ground to save money and have found that there are a lot of places you can crash for free. Places like Churches and National forest land. If you do much of that type of thing, I suggest getting a Planet Fitness Gym Membership. They are everywhere and for $20.00 a month membership fee you can use any of their gyms anywhere in the country. They are clean and have showers. One night in a budget motel costs about the same as four months membership dues at Planet Fitness.
The following users liked this post:
Oldun (06-03-2018)
#6
02-02-2018, 06:54 AM
Road Master
Im with Ironass!
The best trips I have had have been unplanned.
Great advice on gym memberships....
Im getting to hate hotels and only will stay in some mom and pop owned by locals. When I do find a hotel I like Ill do a few days to really unwind.
I like Natchez Trace into TN...its great and really is a nice little road.
If your doing I-10 into Texas at El Paso divert into the Big Bend and Marathon Texas area. Great riding and you can hit the "twisted sisters".
The best trips I have had have been unplanned.
Great advice on gym memberships....
Im getting to hate hotels and only will stay in some mom and pop owned by locals. When I do find a hotel I like Ill do a few days to really unwind.
I like Natchez Trace into TN...its great and really is a nice little road.
If your doing I-10 into Texas at El Paso divert into the Big Bend and Marathon Texas area. Great riding and you can hit the "twisted sisters".
#7
02-02-2018, 08:21 AM
Big Kahuna HDF Member
I think you should try to cross southern Utah and Colorado for sure. Once you get to I-25 in Colorado headed east, put the cruise on 90 and don't even stop to pee until you are past the great plains. Reverse the process on the road back home.
Last edited by jmorganroadglide; 02-02-2018 at 11:35 AM.
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