Heading out Sunday,4-5-09, to the Keys via North Carolina w/ pit stops in ,Shines Crossroads, Daytona, Rivera beach and Stewart. Basically the last in a long line of trips to be utilized as information/intel for my intended ride from New England to Alaska next June 23,2010. This will be the last trip I take until June of next year as I need to save $$ and vacation time (I get 5 weeks a year!!! Whoo hoo!) for the Alaska trip.

Taking about 2 weeks to get to the Keys with a day or 2 layover to visit with friends here and there. If I get to a hotel with a CPU of course I will check in here and say howdy.

I am so looking forward to getting away from work and the ever escaslating responsibilities of the Local 2604, AFGE.

Ciao.

 

if you have the time make the side trip around lake okeechobee, it's some of the nicest riding in fla. imo
and stop at the keys fishery in marathon. it's over on the bay/gulf side just before 7 mile bridge. lobster rueben is awesome sounds nasty tastes great
have a good ride. oh yeah and no name pub is worth going to just to see the place.

 

I was hoping to make it to sloppy joes,Pirate Soul and Mel Fishers museum anyways. Will only be down there 2-3 days.

Thanks for the tip on the fishery as my grandson will be with me and would like that too.

 

Badinfluence,
i hope you have a great time and look forward to seeing your post from the Keys, my buddie and i leave from New Hampshire to Key West on April 26th, 1700 + miles taking about 2 weeks to go down and back. Looking forward to it very much. Weather here still sucks. Keep us posted and pictures, lots of pictures. be safe

 

I used to live in the Keys and work at Sloppy Joes. I have heard alot of get stories from bikers. Now I am in NH wishing for keys weather and Sloppeys fun. Ride safe

 

Thanks a bunch.

Anything in particular you're looking for? I know I want to go around Miami instead of thru it if that is a concern of yours too I can let you know how it went with the route I took around Miami.

I am in NH too. I just unfroze my barn door from the ground early last week. Last I looked Florida is in the 80's.

 

will be great to get some tips, we are going there the last 2 weeks in may, tryed last year in september but weather was to bad, rode to Vagas insted

 

well now is the time to come on down to the keys. the weather has been in the high 80's for the last week strait. Nothing but good weather down here. I am currently stationed down here. Hope you enjoy your stay. ride safe.
Nick

 

Made it 70 miles north of Richmond VA the first day. Stopped at a hotel on exit 101 or so and found a nice hotel (Quality Inn) for 49$. 54$ with tax. Can't beat that. With an Aunt Sarahs pancake house. All you can eat pancakes...4.99$ Chicken fried steak with white gravy, yum yum.

Traffics been medium to lite. And is dangerous in spots until you get south of DC. The worst is the tuner cars darting in and out of traffic. Hot spots were North Hampton, Springfield, Mass, Hartford CT and from West Haven right through NJ TP. South of that not to bad,congestion comes and goes until Baltimore and DC.

Once South of Richmond and especially into North Carolina the roads have been great, speed limit is 70mph and traffic light to medium. Hit torrential rain off and on until my NC destination where I am currently(borrowing the CPU) hanging out with friends and family for a couple days before heading out again.

I-91 South to I-95 South while the most direct is the most congested dangerous gautlet of traffic that comes and goes until south of DC. Richmond is a little hairy as it S turns thru the city and if you hit it wrong (going to work/getting out of work) it'll be an exciting ride.

Saw lots of bike groups on HD's and metric riders in pairs darting thru traffic/cars at super high rates of speed. If the metric riders experience a malfunction it'll be messy at best.

Stoppped at Colliers HD in Roanoake, NC this morning on the way out just to look around and pick up some of the water repellent stuff. Its easy off easy on and one of the first exits once in North Carolina. Take the exit for Colliers/Roanoake Rapids and take a right off the exit to the first light. Take a left at that first light and follow the winding service road to just about the end (1/2 mile+) and its there on the left.

gas was in the low 1.90's on the NJTP and that was about the cheapest so far.

 

Riding to Keys is always good trip.
I have several must do's when I'm in the Keys.

1) Stopping at Robbies Marina MM 77.5. in Islamorada. Buy a bucket of Thread Fin Herring ($4) and feed the Giant Tarpon that are always hanging out at their docks. These Tarpon will jump out of the water trying to get the herring. Great rest break and they have cold drinks.

Yep Sloppy Joes in Key West is on that list too.

Miami-Key West Poker run every September is a blast. Great turnout always.