Unfortunately, it's on the very south end, but if you have a chance to visit Irish Kevin's the owner is very entertaining!

 

Gotta hit Alabama Jack's on Card Sound Road.
I've spent and afternoon or three at Gilbert's Resort Tiki Bar.
After that, it was kins a blur.

 

A group of us will be riding down in the middle of January. leaving Georgetown, Fl. going down the west cost and then across from Naples. Would it be better to go across 75 or HWY 41? We will be base camping in Marathon for a couple days and then heading up the east cost. What kind of weather should I plan for in January? I live in Ky and will be bringing the bike in the back of my truck to Georgetown. It was 28 this morning so yeah I'm a wuss. Thanks for the replies.

 

Cut across on 41 for sure. Grab some food at Joanie's Blue Crab Cafe and go for an air boat ride in the swamp. Also stop at Alabama Jack's, Card Sound Bridge to North Key Largo.

Weather could be summer or winter, on the water.

 

41 for sure.
weather could go either way but warmer than north.

 

Sunset grill don't know its age but good happy hour. Also when you get back to the main land Boat yard Tarpan Springs FL.

 

 

Been to the No Name Pub - worth a visit for sure...

 

I guess you have your route planned already from Georgetown, Fl. as many motorcycle riders choose to ride back roads down the center of state.
Most motorcycle riders tend to avoid I-75 south since it is a high speed race, especially during snowbird season.
Many would prefer back roads and to drop into the 41 west/east section via Route 29.....41 and route 29 is very near Everglades City.
The 41 west/east has a section that is indian territory with their own police....do not speed.

Across from Naples?
Just to avoid confusion 41/ tamiami trail is sometimes used as a generic name.
Tamiami runs from way up in Tampa to way down in Miami...kinda how it got its name Tamiami Trail.

In this case you probably mean East Naples on 41 going EAST from about the Lowes in Naples..
The Lowes is at 12730 Tamiami Trl E Naples, FL 34113
Going EAST direction along 41 towards the 997/krome intersection in Miami Dade County.
41 & the intersection with 997/Krome is by the indian casino.
Miccosukee Casino & Resort 500 SW 177th Ave Miami, FL 33194

That stretch is about 80 miles.

Take 41 during daylight only since it is one lane in both directions with no dividers, no breakdown lane, no street lights and a huge amount of bugs once sun goes down.
That section of 41 is well known by motorcyclist and is generally the BEST choice for sight seeing with some interesting stops along the way.
Try to avoid rush hour since it is a one lane road in each direction.
It can ruin the relaxed ride to have a group of 2 to 3 cars go against traffic at a high rate of speed as they are unexpectedly passing everyone on that one lane.

Stops along 41 for example:
Everglades City seafood in Everglades City..is a 5 mile diversion from 41 and is a nice place to stop (no paved parking/parking on rock) and eat or just grab a beverage and sit out back along the water....
Outside seating/ food in a basket type of place. Read online about Everglades City history and the number of people arrested many years ago.
-Then the Smallest post office..worth a 2 minute stop...keep in mind you are in the middle of nowhere.
-Then almost immediately is Joanie's Blue Crab Cafe, worth a 5 minute stop for a soda/ water/chips..use bathroom and look at pictures on the wall in the bathroom.
-Then FREE Alligator viewing area about 1/2 across on 41 that has paved parking, real bathrooms and you can walk on the deck to see the always present alligators.
-Just before reaching 997/krome is the Value Jet Memorial...you park bikes and walk along canal about 1/10 mile to memorial...read history before.

* Make sure to study google earth on computer AND study a map since ALL will be missed do to very limited to no signage and it is very difficult to make a U-Turn if you go past a turn off.
*Study the maps really well and look at your odometer...Signage is poor.

Then.
From 41/997 casino intersection most motorcycle riders will get gasoline or use bathroom at the ONE gas station that is diagonal from casino intersection and then go south on 997/krome until the start of the keys.
997/krome south is mostly rural until homestead city area.
The end of 997 will have a gas station and it is basically the start of the Keys and is very very near the entrance to Card Sound Road.
Card Sound Road is the preferred way to the keys (small toll) for most motorcyclist since it avoids the high speed section of the upper keys.
The automatic toll booth is just past Alabama Jacks bar.

Then..
The actual ride back and forth from the Miami Dade mainland to Key West and back has many stops available and can be found with a HDforums search of "key west"

What kind of weather should I plan for in January?
During the Day.. a range would be 55F(rare) to 85F+ with a low chance of major rain but make sure to bring rain gear.
Rain gear works great to block wind if it gets cold.
It is probably the best time of year for a Key West ride.

 

Thanks for that write up IM.