Siesta Key ? Where the F is that ?
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 3,599
Likes: 9,905
From: Florida's gorgeous East coast
If you want to see the "real Florida" I recommend that instead of using Alligator Alley ( which is nothing more than Interstate 75 running across the peninsula down South) you consider crossing the Everglades on the Tamiami Trail. It's the original road built to cross through the Glades, and will provide a lot more "up close and personal" opportunities.
The tower at Shark River for example is a great stop to see gators, and the whole panorama of the Glades.
You might consider going East on the Trail to soak it all in...then doing the return to Fiesta Key on I-75 to cut down the time on the road....if that's important to you.
Riding the Tamiami Trail is a great experience but be advised....it can be a bit dangerous. Much of the Trail is 2-lane and long lines of cars sometimes form behind any "slow" vehicle. Invariably there will be some hot shot who believes he's too important to be in that line and will pull out to pass as many as possible....sadly..when interviewed by FHP ( Florida Highway Patrol)...he'll swear he never saw that motorcycle in the oncoming lane.
Speaking of "soaking it all in"....this time of year it rains somewhere down here, pretty much everyday. ENJOY..!!
The tower at Shark River for example is a great stop to see gators, and the whole panorama of the Glades.
You might consider going East on the Trail to soak it all in...then doing the return to Fiesta Key on I-75 to cut down the time on the road....if that's important to you.
Riding the Tamiami Trail is a great experience but be advised....it can be a bit dangerous. Much of the Trail is 2-lane and long lines of cars sometimes form behind any "slow" vehicle. Invariably there will be some hot shot who believes he's too important to be in that line and will pull out to pass as many as possible....sadly..when interviewed by FHP ( Florida Highway Patrol)...he'll swear he never saw that motorcycle in the oncoming lane.
Speaking of "soaking it all in"....this time of year it rains somewhere down here, pretty much everyday. ENJOY..!!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 6,072
Likes: 1,124
From:
Plan on very intense heat, high humidity and some massive rain storms with rapid flooding that go through that time of year..
The rain is most times short (30 minutes to 1 hour) and flooding passes about an hour after in most areas....but puddles hide potholes...especially when entering or departing gas stations.
August is not really the best time of year for motorcycle riding in many areas of Florida.
Probably the worst time for motorcycle riders unless you plan to ride 6am-9am or after 8pm.
The Sunshine Skyway bridge is nearby..it has a toll...can be kinda fun to ride across when there is low traffic...maybe just at sunrise.
The Ringling museum mentioned earlier is a nice upscale stop but you will not want to arrive all sweated.
Making a loop through downtown Sarasota and then back along shore line is nice at sunset or after sunset...but you will get stuck in traffic at sunset and after sunset..so early morning might be best.
Motorcycle riders tend to go inland to avoid traffic and congestion but it feels hotter further inland due to no ocean breeze.
Overall unless you are a high heat & high humidity person then riding a motorcycle during the day can be rather brutal due to heat in August.
You may wish to consider touring sites in an air conditioned vehicle and using motorcycle for maybe 1 hour (pre-planned 10-30 mile) riding loops at times indicated.
To clarify the heat is intense with the feel like temp at over 100F. Your sweat will not cool you due to the intense humidity.
The rain is most times short (30 minutes to 1 hour) and flooding passes about an hour after in most areas....but puddles hide potholes...especially when entering or departing gas stations.
August is not really the best time of year for motorcycle riding in many areas of Florida.
Probably the worst time for motorcycle riders unless you plan to ride 6am-9am or after 8pm.
The Sunshine Skyway bridge is nearby..it has a toll...can be kinda fun to ride across when there is low traffic...maybe just at sunrise.
The Ringling museum mentioned earlier is a nice upscale stop but you will not want to arrive all sweated.
Making a loop through downtown Sarasota and then back along shore line is nice at sunset or after sunset...but you will get stuck in traffic at sunset and after sunset..so early morning might be best.
Motorcycle riders tend to go inland to avoid traffic and congestion but it feels hotter further inland due to no ocean breeze.
Overall unless you are a high heat & high humidity person then riding a motorcycle during the day can be rather brutal due to heat in August.
You may wish to consider touring sites in an air conditioned vehicle and using motorcycle for maybe 1 hour (pre-planned 10-30 mile) riding loops at times indicated.
To clarify the heat is intense with the feel like temp at over 100F. Your sweat will not cool you due to the intense humidity.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 10,284
Likes: 7,765
From: West Central FL
Good luck with the va-ca, it's our monsoon season this time of year. If you get a chance and get a dry Sunday check out Peggy's Corral in Palmetto about 20 minutes north on Hwy 41.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,263
Likes: 478
From: Appalachia
[QUOTE=guido4198;21321776]If you want to see the "real Florida" I recommend that instead of using Alligator Alley ( which is nothing more than Interstate 75 running across the peninsula down South) you consider crossing the Everglades on the Tamiami Trail. It's the original road built to cross through the Glades, and will provide a lot more "up close and personal" opportunities.
The tower at Shark River for example is a great stop to see gators, and the whole panorama of the Glades.
You might consider going East on the Trail to soak it all in...then doing the return to Fiesta Key on I-75 to cut down the time on the road....if that's important to you.
This is more along the lines of what I had in mind, so Ill definitely look into it.
As far as the heat goes, yeah, i had the bike down in Panama City Beach last year and it was miserable but every time we rode I let someone else make the plans and we ended up in town riding along the coast at about 5 mph. Im not opposed to a longer trip as long as Ill be moving and not in stop & go traffic.
Thanks and keep the ideas coming!
The tower at Shark River for example is a great stop to see gators, and the whole panorama of the Glades.
You might consider going East on the Trail to soak it all in...then doing the return to Fiesta Key on I-75 to cut down the time on the road....if that's important to you.
This is more along the lines of what I had in mind, so Ill definitely look into it.
As far as the heat goes, yeah, i had the bike down in Panama City Beach last year and it was miserable but every time we rode I let someone else make the plans and we ended up in town riding along the coast at about 5 mph. Im not opposed to a longer trip as long as Ill be moving and not in stop & go traffic.
Thanks and keep the ideas coming!
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