Ride to the Fl Keys..................

[3fan4life]

I'm planning A ride to the Keys and back with my brother. He's in Lake City, FL so that will be our starting point.

I'm looking for a scenic route and we don't need to go the entire distance in a single day.

At the moment I'm leaning towards us riding US 41 most of the way.

Does anyone have suggestions about an alternate route?

How about a good place to stay about halfway between Lake City and Key West?

Also, what about any MUST SEE places in the Keys?

Thanks in advance.

[bassman]

Me?  I'd look for something else besides US41.  It's been a few years and it may have improved but
41 was SLOW from Tampa down to Ft Meyers...LOTS of small towns, lights, traffic etc.  Maybe look for
a road or two down the center of the state might be better.  A LOT could have changed over the years but my guess is that 41 could only get worse instead of better.  I'm sure someone who lives in Florida
and knows the roads better could make some recommendations...including 41 if I'm wrong.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Big Al and one of his bud's is going in Feb I was telling my friend and ridin' bud Paul ( Wimp ) about the trip and he said he could not think of a more boring trip to take on a bike. Paul goes to Key West every year with his wife in a van.

[3fan4life]

Big Al and one of his bud's is going in Feb I was telling my friend and ridin' bud Paul ( Wimp ) about the trip and he said he could not think of a more boring trip to take on a bike. Paul goes to Key West every year with his wife in a van.

That's one of the reasons that I'm looking for a scenic route.

I've wanted to take a ride to the Keys and back for a long time, and this is a great opportunity for my brother and I to share some wind together.

[sandy]

Just take the interstate down to FT Meyers Beach and get there early in the day. Spend a nice afternoon walking around town and on the beach. Then take Alligator Alley East and down to Card Sound Bridge onto the Keys. Forget scenic roads in Southern FL.

[Robert]

If you look carefully at route 27 I think you'll find what your looking for. I cant promise great scenery but it is a 75 mph speed and does cut through the state in the Everglades. I Have taken this route to Lake Okeechobee a few times but not really further north. It is the road used by the sugar companies to get out of the traffic. Google map it and get close because it looks like it jogs back and forth but its a great road. This I will say make sure you have a full tank of gas there is not much and you will need to turn off to get gas. I think it goes past Davie and cuts into a main highway and there is also the stops down in Davie for the Everglades and boat rides. There is also some Everglades stops north too but just haven't explored them yet. A great day ride away from traffic and to see the sugar fields the Everglades and its about 200 miles is the loop 95 to Lake Okeechobee around the lake down 27 to Davie back to 95 and home. On a beautiful day this is like heaven. You can take a couple of days or several hours on this route. Its not really populated except near the lake but you can easily veer off and find anything easly. I made the mistake one day before I had my belly tank to take 27 north with 3/4 tank of gas well I started to panic after awhile and finally had to turn off, since I have toured this road many times and its one of my favorites. I hope this is what you were looking for I didn't look for 41 just looked for lake City you'll have to pick up 27 by going south on the super slabs for a bit but I think you'll  like it

[BF]

Say you're starting in Lake City?  You want scenic?  Your not in a hurry?  

Super slab I75 to Ocala (not all that far) then jump off onto 27.  Take 27 all the way to Sebring.  Then hang a left (east) on 700 (98).  That will take you right by the Sebring Raceway.  Stop off there for a visit then continue on 700 to Okeechobee.  Then take 70 over to Fort Pierce to Highway 1.  Take 1 all the way to Key West.  


Or.....if your reeeeeealy not in a hurry, from Lake City east to St Augustine and follow 1 and 1A as much as possible all the way to the Keys. 

[Big IV]

That's one of the reasons that I'm looking for a scenic route.

I've wanted to take a ride to the Keys and back for a long time, and this is a great opportunity for my brother and I to share some wind together.

I've always went down I-95 which is not bad as far as interstates go but it is far from scenic. If I had the time, I'd want to go down the gulf side of the state since I've never spent much time on that side of Florida.

[Tropic traveler]

Been to the Keys many times. Three times on the bikes.
First off, IMHO try to avoid the Interstates ANYWHERE in Florida. Way too many gawkers {tourists} & blue hairs {retirees} for that to be safe on any motorcycle. Not to mention the truck traffic.
US441 from Lake City south aint too bad, just Gainesville, Ocala, & the Villages/Leesburg to deal with there, nice scenery otherwise. I would take that route then break off on US27 south of Leesburg all the way down to 997 {Krome Ave} which dumps into US1. A little traffic in the Haines City/Disney area then a slight bit in Sebring further south. Once past Homestead on 997, Card Sound Road is a nice alternative {a bit farther} but I hear the "Be Patient Highway" the section of US1 on the mainland has been vastly improved recently. If you take US27 make sure you are OK on gas before you start the straight shot south of the big lake. No gas {or anything else} from South Bay for about 40 miles. 
We did the US41 route too & as Bassman said the traffic is horrendous down the west coast. There is a payoff using US41, the part south of Naples thru the 'Glades is awesome. Nothing else in the world looks like the Everglades.
We prefer the 441/27 route & we will be riding down to KW again in early May. Last time we rode down it took us 6 1/2 hours to get from Ocala to Key Largo. We stopped for breakfast in Clewiston as we left a 4:30 a.m. Once you get onto the Keys your progress will be much slower.
Kim on her Shadow in the Keys.


Indian homes along US41 {Tamiami trail} in the Everglades.


R3 & Valk in Marathon.

   

[donaldcc]

  As a former resident of FL (lived in central florida and miami), I say go with the advice of Tropic traveler. 

[FloridaValkRyder]

  As a former resident of FL (lived in central florida and miami), I say go with the advice of Tropic traveler. 

I'm with Eddie on this too. Have been many times the exact route he describes both in truck and bike. I live in Orlando so I start from there. Keys are fun to ride in but BE ALERT at all times. So many touristas looking around. 

[Slick]

  As a former resident of FL (lived in central florida and miami), I say go with the advice of Tropic traveler. 

Yep, the man knows of what he speaks-

[Duffy]

When I went with Verner, Chrome Dome and Fiffi and in 2010, we had a great time. RIGHT TOM!?? 



Werner




Tom took the Germans on to Cheaha from Key West.
I rode home alone that Sunday, 888 miles in a little over 14 hours. Superslab most of the way. 

[DirtyDan]

its a must

dan

[Valkernaut]

I've only read - and watched tv about Coral Gables. Would like to ride by it sometime. Do a search on Coral Gables Castle - fascinating! I think it's around Homestead....

[olddog1946]

Personally I think it would be more fun to go to Ft. Lauderdale for spring break, than ride down to the keys...I can't remember for sure, but seems to me there was actually a curve somewhere around the Miami Zoo...but I am gettin old, and there may be more than one road to Key West since I left in 85...if it's still there 

[ChromeDome]

When I went with Verner, Chrome Dome and Fiffi and in 2010, we had a great time. RIGHT TOM!?? 



Werner




Tom took the Germans on to Cheaha from Key West.
I rode home alone that Sunday, 888 miles in a little over 14 hours. Superslab most of the way. 

Yep ..that was a heck of a ride. I would say anyone that is familiar with any of the roads north of Miami, or more precisely Cutler Ridge, will have a good idea of a scenic route down but as far as I know south of Cutler Ridge it is just US1 and if not for the bridges and water very boring. If you have the time you may not want to go straight through to Key West but spend the night along the way. I'm sure there are many that would say not to spend the night in Key West but I ain't one of them ... I love Key West and all to fun that there is.

Have a good ride.

[sugerbear]

it was all good for us EXCEPT Ocala.  WAY too many blue hairs for me. almost got it 4-5 time going through there!!

stop at bahia(sp) honda park, beautiful, looks like where gilligans island was shot.

try to see the key's deer (if your into that).

try lunch/supper at the barracuda grill (marathon) 

and alligator alley highway is a neat ride too. indians make a mean breakfast.

[BigAl]

Thanks Sugar Bear.

WImp our riding buddy spends a lot of time there.

He said US41 is a good side trip and runs about just like Interstate 75 does.

Stop and get a local free map he says and that helps a lot.

It's on my bucket list to get there and get a pic.

 A few of my riding buds are gun shy because the motel ,,hotel rates are up pretty darn high.

It's true but you only pass this life by one time and I am going to try for it.

I have at least one rider with me and that is Mad Dog Smith, a better riding buddy is hard to find.

Leaving Feb 17th Friday,, have a good trip 3fan4life, if you want we can ride down Friday.

If not catch you next trip.

It's going to be a great ride I can feel it in my bones.

[RP#62]

When I went with Verner, Chrome Dome and Fiffi and in 2010, we had a great time. RIGHT TOM!?? 




Tom took the Germans on to Cheaha from Key West.
I rode home alone that Sunday, 888 miles in a little over 14 hours. Superslab most of the way. 

Me and Cheryl got married across the street from where this picture was taken (we used to live in Key West).
-RP

[BigAl]

When I went with Verner, Chrome Dome and Fiffi and in 2010, we had a great time. RIGHT TOM!??  




Tom took the Germans on to Cheaha from Key West.
I rode home alone that Sunday, 888 miles in a little over 14 hours. Superslab most of the way.  

Me and Cheryl got married across the street from where this picture was taken (we used to live in Key West).
-RP

Damn RP 62 you are one interesting fellow.

Thanks for chiming in.

[NEHI]

  Stop at mile marker 28 1/2 and spend the night at Little Palm Island (NICE)

[lappdoggy]

My club is heading down from NC/VA around the 10th of April. My Valk IS, 2 VTX1800's and one M109.
(HD member cant make it) They think I'm pulling a trailer with everyones gear. I've got room/racks for my gear so they should invest in some bungee cords. I want to enjoy the ride! First extended trip on Valk.