Michigan to FL Solo
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 117
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Michigan to FL Solo
Ok guys, I am looking for some advice.
My wife and kids are flying down to Fort Myers FL in the second week of June and before I buy the tickets I need to decide if I can Ride my Street Glide Down and send them on the plane. I do ride alot; however, I do not get the chance to do long trips so this will be new to me. The ride is 1700 miles one way and I am thinking 3 days down and 3 days back but maybe that is kinda tight?
Question #1
Would you do this trip Solo?
Question #2
Would I be better off just flying down and renting a bike to run in the Keys for a day?
Question #3
If I ride, what type of things should I be looking into... Prebook rooms or wing it, plan out gas stops, highway vs two lane route?
Thanks
My wife and kids are flying down to Fort Myers FL in the second week of June and before I buy the tickets I need to decide if I can Ride my Street Glide Down and send them on the plane. I do ride alot; however, I do not get the chance to do long trips so this will be new to me. The ride is 1700 miles one way and I am thinking 3 days down and 3 days back but maybe that is kinda tight?
Question #1
Would you do this trip Solo?
Question #2
Would I be better off just flying down and renting a bike to run in the Keys for a day?
Question #3
If I ride, what type of things should I be looking into... Prebook rooms or wing it, plan out gas stops, highway vs two lane route?
Thanks
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 491
Likes: 1
From: Northern VT
Wow lots of good questions...
1. Yes no question.....
2. If you prefer not experiencing the joy of riding..then fly. One of the reasons I ride is the journey ..not the destination.
3. I wouldn't pre-book rooms (just in case you get stuck or tired). Wing it and stay at hotels you can trust. Only issue I see here is the amount of time you've set for yourself. 3 days is about 566 each day...if this isn't something you are use to you are NOT going to like it. Remember thats 566 no matter what the weather is like. You don't want to feel rushed when trying to enjoy yourself and your journey. Sounds to me like you've never done anything like this before (or you wouldn't be asking us)....this trip is completely doable, but leave yourself more time each day. You'll want to plan on stops every so often just to stretch your legs and take a road break. Our group usually stops every 100 miles just for 5-10 minutes (it makes all the difference during a 500 mile day). No one here can tell you how you're going to feel..best advice I could give is to ask yourself "can I do this".
1. Yes no question.....
2. If you prefer not experiencing the joy of riding..then fly. One of the reasons I ride is the journey ..not the destination.
3. I wouldn't pre-book rooms (just in case you get stuck or tired). Wing it and stay at hotels you can trust. Only issue I see here is the amount of time you've set for yourself. 3 days is about 566 each day...if this isn't something you are use to you are NOT going to like it. Remember thats 566 no matter what the weather is like. You don't want to feel rushed when trying to enjoy yourself and your journey. Sounds to me like you've never done anything like this before (or you wouldn't be asking us)....this trip is completely doable, but leave yourself more time each day. You'll want to plan on stops every so often just to stretch your legs and take a road break. Our group usually stops every 100 miles just for 5-10 minutes (it makes all the difference during a 500 mile day). No one here can tell you how you're going to feel..best advice I could give is to ask yourself "can I do this".
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 915
Likes: 2
From: nw alabama
solo is fun ,but havn someone with you is good also..thats a long ride and weather tends to change times alot.. 6 to 7 days solo aint leaving much time with the family.. flight time is probably a couple hrs.. think i would check on the rentals and enjoy the best of everthing....JMO
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,484
Likes: 2
From: Sarasota, Florida
I'm guessing that this is a "family" trip and if you ride there, you will be beat and will want to rest up for the ride home. If this was about a ride to Florida - for the ride, then yes ride.
I would probably fly down and then rent and ride the keys - more fun, less stress!
I would probably fly down and then rent and ride the keys - more fun, less stress!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,884
Likes: 75
From: Goldsboro, NC
I would do the solo ride. Figure 8 hours on the bike each day and average 70 mph. (Not hard I don't think) 560 a day.
Just do the motels as a "Wing it" and if you feel like you can do 10 hrs one day, fine,, stop when you find someplace.
Not a holiday weekend, so I doubt everything will be booked.
How long is the trip going to last for the family?
If it's only a week, then you won't have time with them obviously.
If it's two weeks, then you'll have a week with them of course.
It all depends on your desire to ride! LOL
My longest ride to date (not on a Harley but on a Kaw, Concours) is about 690 miles in 12 hrs. Saint Louis to Boloxi MS.
I am hoping to do something similar this summer, around July,,
Starting Location
**** Noster, MO Edit
Cancel
Ending Location
Wilmington, NC Edit
Cancel
Total Travel Estimate: 18 hours 23 minutes / 1154.09 miles
I am going to try for my "Iron Butt" patch! LOL
And of course since I'll be going through TN, towards NC, then I HAVE to ride the dragon,, it'll be in the middle of the ride, and I guess it should depend on WHEN I get in the area,,
Just do the motels as a "Wing it" and if you feel like you can do 10 hrs one day, fine,, stop when you find someplace.
Not a holiday weekend, so I doubt everything will be booked.
How long is the trip going to last for the family?
If it's only a week, then you won't have time with them obviously.
If it's two weeks, then you'll have a week with them of course.
It all depends on your desire to ride! LOL
My longest ride to date (not on a Harley but on a Kaw, Concours) is about 690 miles in 12 hrs. Saint Louis to Boloxi MS.
I am hoping to do something similar this summer, around July,,
Starting Location
**** Noster, MO Edit
Cancel
Ending Location
Wilmington, NC Edit
Cancel
Total Travel Estimate: 18 hours 23 minutes / 1154.09 miles
I am going to try for my "Iron Butt" patch! LOL
And of course since I'll be going through TN, towards NC, then I HAVE to ride the dragon,, it'll be in the middle of the ride, and I guess it should depend on WHEN I get in the area,,
Last edited by JimTJr; May 10, 2010 at 11:25 AM.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 301
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
I've taken trips in the past and will be heading to TX in a few weeks. I prefer solo only because you can ride at your own pace. Have also done trips with others which is also fun but are now controlled by group necessities.
If your's is a family trip I would not ride for reasons already given mostly time factor. Most of your time will be on the road, which isn't a bad thing, but will minimize the time with the family.
If you decide to ride, ride safe, and be sure to enjoy the adventure of the trip!
If your's is a family trip I would not ride for reasons already given mostly time factor. Most of your time will be on the road, which isn't a bad thing, but will minimize the time with the family.
If you decide to ride, ride safe, and be sure to enjoy the adventure of the trip!
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
Thanks guys, as for the family time I would plan to leave 3 days before them and leave to come home when they fly out. It would kinda be like two separate trips (one for me and one for the family, but I am sure I will be beat when I get to FL.
last year I rode from Indy to the tail of the dragon 400+ miles after driving the truck all day and it was great. I do not think 600 miles s day would be alot; however, I have never done it for three days in a row! With my luck, it will rain the whole way.
last year I rode from Indy to the tail of the dragon 400+ miles after driving the truck all day and it was great. I do not think 600 miles s day would be alot; however, I have never done it for three days in a row! With my luck, it will rain the whole way.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,241
Likes: 7
From: Daytona, Fla.
Question 1: In a heartbeat!
Question 2: Renting a bike is an option, but you miss a *lot* of great riding on the way down & back.
Question 3: There's the fun of solo riding! Do it *your* way! I'd make sure I had a GPS, plan a "general" route combining interstate highways where I needed to make time & two lane highways where I wanted to see the scenery. With a GPS there's no need to pre-book rooms or pre-plan gas stops.
Three days to cover that distance is nearly 600 miles a day. Not difficult to do, but it doesn't leave much time for sightseeing. Of course the area near you is familiar so you can slab it out of there. The area south of Atlanta is less scenic unless you get way off the interstate, so you can slab it through south Ga. & north Fla. That gives you a lot of time in some really pretty country (Ky., Va., W.Va., Tenn., NC., & North Ga.).
Question 2: Renting a bike is an option, but you miss a *lot* of great riding on the way down & back.
Question 3: There's the fun of solo riding! Do it *your* way! I'd make sure I had a GPS, plan a "general" route combining interstate highways where I needed to make time & two lane highways where I wanted to see the scenery. With a GPS there's no need to pre-book rooms or pre-plan gas stops.
Three days to cover that distance is nearly 600 miles a day. Not difficult to do, but it doesn't leave much time for sightseeing. Of course the area near you is familiar so you can slab it out of there. The area south of Atlanta is less scenic unless you get way off the interstate, so you can slab it through south Ga. & north Fla. That gives you a lot of time in some really pretty country (Ky., Va., W.Va., Tenn., NC., & North Ga.).
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 9,243
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From: west Michigan
You should know what your capabilities are, as far as daily mileage goes. If you have the time, you should pick a destination 250 to 300 miles from your home and ride there and back in a day to see if you can do it. When I was younger, I used to ride all day and look for a motel after dark; now I pick a destination for the day and call ahead for a motel reservation. Many, if not most of your fellow travelers are off the road by suppertime. It sucks to be looking for a motel room at 11:00 PM in a rain storm. Try to time your trip to avoid urban areas during rush hours. Bring a list of Harley dealers and major motel chains along your route. Also, bring a tubeless tire repair kit. Save time by dining at the finer gas stations, and bring water and snacks for the rest areas. I've been riding long distance solo for over thirty years and it's been great. Do it if you can.