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Upcoming Trip: Southern Florida

bmccrary

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Since I have a few minutes, and I am pretty much totally stoked about it I figured I would start a thread about my upcoming trip.

Spring break is just around the corner, March 3rd-8th, and since the arrival of my FZ6 we (the parents and I) have discussed where would take our big ride for the year to. After some talking we ended up with going to Southern Florida to seem my grandparents on my fathers side. They are getting pretty old and I am long over due for going down there. My girlfriend of 4 years will be riding with me on the back of the FZ as well.

In preperation for the trip we ended up getting a few goodies for the bikes. For the Nomad, a new set of Venoms, Progressive springs for the front and Progressive Shocks for the rear. New helments and headsets for Mom and Dad for their J&M. I think is about it.

For the FZ..
Givi luggage rack, Nelson Riggs Mini Saddle bags and massive tail bag, J&M intercom system, new helments for the intercom system and new front turnsignals.

The plan for the trip is to leave Lexington, NC on Sat or Sunday and get to Southern Florida in a 1.5 days, just make a trail down there as quickly as we can. Once down there we will spend the rest of the second day and all of the third with my grandfather. We figured he would take us around the old pump stations (he ran the drainage district down there for years and years) and just hang out with him for a while. On the 4th day I believe we decided to go up through Sebring and Avon Park and such and just start making our way back home. We have been throwing some ideas around about where all to go but I have suggested going up through the gulf cost of Florida, and then once in GA, start working our way up through the mtns in GA. Mom and Dad have previously spent some time on the bike in the GA mtns and have nothing but great things to say about it.

The trip should take about 7 days I think and cover roughly 2000 miles. I have been going home every weekend for the past couple weeks trying to get the bikes ready for the trip. Wiring up the J&M on the FZ has proven to be a bit difficult, but if there is a will there is a way.

If the timing and weather works out I will try to get some pictures of the FZ in full tour mode for you guys. I must admit the FZ looks really good as a sport tour.

I know this doesn't exactly sound like the college students spring break plans, but to be honest, this is the first time I have ever taken a trip during spring break. Since high school, when I started working, I have spent my spring breaks working. So I am pretty stoaked about it, should be a great time, lots of riding and time spent with my parents, girlfriend and grandparents.

I will be sure to post those pictures from before the trip as well as a detailed ride report including pictures from the trip.

:Sport:

-bryan
 
You're going to have an awesome time and there ain't nothin like bikes and the open road. Be sure to take plenty of pics so we can see how ya did. It will still be cool enough to keep the bugs out too.
 
If you do go back up the gulf coast, U.S. 41 has many miles of scenic highway. The Atlantic coast has A1A which is set up the same way. Word to the wise if you take U.S. 301 be careful because it is known for its speed traps!
 
We will going to Clewston, Fl, just on the southern tip of lake Ochachobe (spelling).

We have talked about going down A1A to get there, not sure on that one yet. We have heard a few horror stories about it, but we have also heard alot of great things as well. So I am not sure on that one yet.

As for pictures I am trying to figure out how I am going to pack my 40D, I would like to be able to store it with the lense attached that way if I see something I dont have to mess with it. However with the limited space for packing on the bike, I might have to rig up some sort of tank bag with one of my other smaller bags. I plan on pondering that this weekend.

Any of you guys have any input on nice roads heading in and out of Fla let me know. We are still more than open to suggestions on how we want to do this.

-bryan
 
We will going to Clewston, Fl, just on the southern tip of lake Ochachobe (spelling).

We have talked about going down A1A to get there, not sure on that one yet. We have heard a few horror stories about it, but we have also heard alot of great things as well. So I am not sure on that one yet.

As for pictures I am trying to figure out how I am going to pack my 40D, I would like to be able to store it with the lense attached that way if I see something I dont have to mess with it. However with the limited space for packing on the bike, I might have to rig up some sort of tank bag with one of my other smaller bags. I plan on pondering that this weekend.

Any of you guys have any input on nice roads heading in and out of Fla let me know. We are still more than open to suggestions on how we want to do this.

-bryan

Starting from Clewiston there is a really popular sports/sports tourer bike run called Snake Road, it is a ride I keep planning to do but not managed to yet. Apparently it is a great road with some good sweeping curves (they are a real rarity here) and runs alongside the everglades though a Seminole Reserve.

I live in Plantation (lower right of the trip on the map link below) so there is no excuse really for me not doing the trip. I might try and get out there this weekend, if I do I will take the camera and take some pics for you.

South Florida, Snake Road, Holiday Park [Motorcycle Route] at MotoWhere.com

You could also consider a trip down to the Keys but to be honest that would end up more of a slow haul in amongst a lot (and I mean a LOT) of traffic. The end result is nice but the ride would be a bit grim.
 
We will going to Clewston, Fl, just on the southern tip of lake Ochachobe (spelling). not to far from moroso drag strip!

We have talked about going down A1A to get there, not sure on that one yet. We have heard a few horror stories about it, but we have also heard alot of great things as well. So I am not sure on that one yet. some parts will be in cities and you will deal with traffic some parts will be nice 40-50 m.p.h. of open roads

As for pictures I am trying to figure out how I am going to pack my 40D, I would like to be able to store it with the lense attached that way if I see something I dont have to mess with it. However with the limited space for packing on the bike, I might have to rig up some sort of tank bag with one of my other smaller bags. I plan on pondering that this weekend. make the girlfriend hold it!

Any of you guys have any input on nice roads heading in and out of Fla let me know. We are still more than open to suggestions on how we want to do this. be aware most floridian roads are flat, straight, and boring.

-bryan

have fun and be safe
 
The Key's were an idea, but I believe we have ruled it out for times sake, that and the traffic.

Yea, corners seem to be few and far between in Florida. My father was raised down that way and raced MX back in his younger years. *snicker* It seem that the only things down there are the lake and cane fields, lol. I will look into that Snake Road, but I can tell you this... I am really looking forward to the warm weather! It was cold and rainy here today and all I could think about was, man its going to be warm in Florida. I can't wait to ride my bike with out 4 long sleeve shirts and the jacket liner.

Unfortunitly I did not get home from Charlotte as soon as I would have liked, and with our oldest Dog, (19 years old) being put down yesterday evening, everybody is moving just a bit slower. I still managed to get down to the shop and re-route the J&M harness as well as the aux wire and mount my iPod holder and managed to get a plan for tomorrow. Hopefully I will finish it up tomorrow afternoon and maybe get a few shots of it as well.

Thanks for the input guys!

-bryan
 
The Key's were an idea, but I believe we have ruled it out for times sake, that and the traffic.

Yea, corners seem to be few and far between in Florida. My father was raised down that way and raced MX back in his younger years. *snicker* It seem that the only things down there are the lake and cane fields, lol. I will look into that Snake Road, but I can tell you this... I am really looking forward to the warm weather! It was cold and rainy here today and all I could think about was, man its going to be warm in Florida. I can't wait to ride my bike with out 4 long sleeve shirts and the jacket liner.

Unfortunitly I did not get home from Charlotte as soon as I would have liked, and with our oldest Dog, (19 years old) being put down yesterday evening, everybody is moving just a bit slower. I still managed to get down to the shop and re-route the J&M harness as well as the aux wire and mount my iPod holder and managed to get a plan for tomorrow. Hopefully I will finish it up tomorrow afternoon and maybe get a few shots of it as well.

Thanks for the input guys!

-bryan


Sorry to hear about your dog, thats always a sad thing to have to go through.

However, to hopefully cheer you up it was 86 degrees here today with plenty of sunshine.
 
Ok so it has been a very productive weekend. Besides a couple bolts, both bikes are ready to go.

These aren't the best shots, I just shot a few before I left this evening.
Here she is in full tour mode. I think I like it better this way to be honest.
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Those are my new flushies, I mentioned them a while back in some previous thread. So there they are.
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The J&M works really well, however my first antenna mount was much more clever, and hidden. However it didn't seem to work to well where it was, so on a last minute plan we made a braket and attached it to the rack and thats where it is now. With my dad in the front yard on his bike, I can talk to him via CB almost all the way around our neighborhood.

I will try to get some nicer shots before I leave on Sat, no promises though.

Enjoy.

-bryan
 
Well I am getting pretty excited, only a couple days left till we leave.

We have decided that we would go down A1A to WPB, including the ferry ride. Jordan and I have never done that so we are both looking forward to it. Then from there go see the grandparents and head back up towards Avon Park. From there we really do not have a set plans, we will just figure it out as we go.

The weather is looking like it will be nice, but as always the rain gear will be packed. Unfortunitly every time my parents go riding they always seem to get rained on, and they have passed that curse onto me some how it seems.

-bryan
 
Yea, I am used to that. Every summer I go with my g/f's family to Disney and I am used that stuff.

My father has a saying about the weather down there. "If you dont like the weather in Florida, wait 10 minutes."

-bryan
 
Thanks!

I am thinking that the shock will be hating life on this trip. It might need to get replaced by a ohlins at some point, lol...

-bryan
 
Quick update,

Sitting in the buisness center here in the hotel in Valdasta, Ga. We are working our way back home and trying dodge the rain. From the looks up of it we are going to get pretty wet tomorrow. So far we have rode 1350 miles. I have taken many pictures, and my father has as well. So once I get back home I will be sure to upload them, so look for them soon.

The bike is doing well, and I must say that I am impressed with how well it works for 2-up riding. It has been pretty comfortable for our riding thus far. My only complaint... is that the roads in Fl are boring. Man they sure know how to make some straight roads down here.

-bryan
 
My only complaint... is that the roads in Fl are boring. Man they sure know how to make some straight roads down here.

-bryan

why do you think everyone down here has liter bikes or 'busa's? (besides the harley crowd) It also sucks we dont have any hills. but we make up for it with the lack of winter!
 
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