Florida West Coast

Florida West Coast

Google Map Over View

 Day 1 February 19th, 2016

         Picked up the bike rental at 2015 Harley Davidson Ultra Limited at Eagle Rider Bike rentals at 9:00 am in Miami, Florida. I went early in hopes to avoid a crowd but it wasn't the case. There was a group of 30 riders in for some company retreat. After doing the paperwork I was off,  The GPS led me down a few wrong turns and I decided to get on the Ronald Reagan turn pike. After hitting Florida city the highways slowed right down. Very little passing lanes. Riding through the keys was a surreal experience. So many bridges. I wished there was more pull over spots but they were few and far between.

    After riding to the Harley shop to collect my poker chip I decided to park the bike for the day and continue on foot. Well other than a ride on a bicycle taxi. Don't judge me. I was dehydrated from the ride in. I managed to have a cheeseburger in key west (paradise).

         I took my boss's advise and went to the sunset ceremony down at the pier. Kinda neat. Lots of sail boats in the water, and many acts on the pier itself.

     After the Show's I walked around some more before turning in for the evening.

Day 2 February 20th 2016

I left  the hotel in Key west at 8:30am. I rode down the the southern point buoy Mile 0 of highway 1. It was overcast today which helped keep things cool. Not as much traffic leaving the keys so I was able to make decent time until...... That's right a nautical flea market 20 miles south west of key largo. Stop and go for 30 minutes. I can't believe how many people were there. After I got back to the mainland if you call it.

        The gps lead me up this main avenue of homestead Florida. I thought cool I will pull a manor ( a term for cruising the main street. Well here's the thing about Florida drivers. From my observations they are not good. And by this I mean the following example. While attempting this manor I came across not one but 4 separate fender benders in the matter of a 8 block distance. Just when I thought.... Man I'm glad that is behind me I see another set of red and blue flashing lights. Yes a 5th collision except this time a SUV took out a stop sign right in the centre of their rig.  

        Once I was able to turn west on highway 41 the Tamiami trail it got a lot calmer and I could set my own pace again. Besides a light sprinkle of rain it was pretty neat terrain riding through the Everglades, lots of wild life in the marsh. 

       I rolled in to  Everglades city and I was able to get myself a ride on a air boat tour at captain jacks air boat tours. Very cool experience in the mangrove glades. Seen one alligator and while the captain was up front talking about the alligator he asked me to captain the boat away from the edges of the shrubs. I didn't even knock anyone off the boat. I am all settled in Chokoloskee Florida for the night after a great cuban flat steak at the local cuban cafe.

Day 3 February 21st, 2016

 

         I had breakfast at the Cuban cafe I found the night before in chokoloskee at 7:30 am. After riding out I decided to stay on the Tamiami trail hwy 41. Lots of birds out this morning. Storks, vultures and such. I was able to keep the throttle cracked open for the most part all the way to Naples Harley Davidson to collect my poker chip.   

          After Naples I road to Fort Myers and stopped in at 6 bends Harley Davidson for my chip. I then began to proceed through the back highways through some rural areas to port Charlotte to collect another chip at Black Widow Harley Davidson. After fuelling up I hooked up with my old friend the Tamiami trail and went through Venice, Sarasota and Bradenton. I must say this section of  highway was not good to me. Many lights very slow going in the heat.

        Now island hopping towards St Petersburg is another story. The views was jaw dropping. The sky way bridge was an insane bridge that ramped up to the sky and then back down, with amazing waters below me. Stopped off at Jim's Harley shop for another chip and then proceeded to Tampa bay to get a poker chip. After this I had decisions to make.   Do I stay in Tampa or book a room closer to the east coast?

         I decided on getting a room in Orlando. I hit the I4 and made great time. I managed to collect 3 more poker chips a long the way. After getting in to the motel here I went for dinner and decided on a night time ride around Orlando to cool down. Since I am staying near Disney world there were many light displays and on my return trip I witnessed a pretty cool fireworks display coming from the park. 

Day 4 February 22nd 2016

     I left Orlando after breakfast at 8:30 am. What I discovered leaving at this time is that the free way is very busy until you pass all the amusement park entrances. On the plus side I am getting really good at riding on 6 lane freeways. Although I do prefer a two lane highway when I can. First stop of the day Sanford Harley Davidson to get a poker chip. Really good people there if I am in the area again some day I will try to stop in. 

     After that it was flat out on highway 4 to Daytona international speedway. I tried to stop in but the Daytona 500 ended the day before and everyone was leaving in chaos and I couldn't safely get close enough. I veered north to Dayton Harley Davidson to get my second poker chip of the day. This is Bruce Rossmyeres. Very big very cool.