Cruising Daytona Beach
Here’s the final instalment of my 5 day, 1000 mile motorcycle trip around Florida. If you missed part 1 then you can find it here and part 2 here.
Day 3: Naples to Orlando – 225 miles
Today was super hot. Even up at higher speeds it felt like someone was blowing a hairdryer on me. Only rarely did I feel any cool breeze. On the plus side it helped dry out my clothes as my jeans and boots were still damp from yesterday.
The morning ride was really nice through Bonita Bay. This area has a lot of character. Nice views to the beaches, cool buildings; some on stilts. I joined the I75 and instantly regretted it. This bike has no fairings so I was buffeted badly by wind up at 70. The road surface was uneven and I felt the bike buck a little now and then. The worst part was the other vehicles moving at 80/90 past me. I didn’t feel safe so exited after a few miles.
Add together yesterday’s “adventure”, the heat and the fact that I didn’t enjoy the interstates I decided to head straight for Orlando on the back roads. For the majority of the day I was on Route 17.
Probably the most exciting part of the day was that I learned a new riding position to help fend off the aches. At some point I realised that the pillion pegs were just down from me so I could hitch my knees up and use those pegs when up to speed. Sort of like a drag bike position. Obviously the down side is that I had no clutch or rear brake use. It was only for when I was cruising. It also lent itself to me dropping my left shoulder and propping my forearm on the tank like propping a bar. To make this all work comfortably I had to hold the throttle open with the tips of 3 fingers. Any non-biker reading this would think this sounds unsafe but bikes are very stable when up at speed due to the gyroscopic effect. I wonder what people thought seeing me cruise past at 60+ lying flat out on the bike.
So something happened on Friday that I didn’t mention as I thought it might startle a few people. It didn’t happen on Saturday but happened today. I start to fall asleep on the bike when cruising. Sounds scary? It is! When up at speed there’s nothing to do. The roads are completely straight. The bike makes the same consistent drone. It basically sends you drifting off. When this starts to happen I just stop more frequently and check my map, take a drink to break up the monotony of the cruise.
As I reached Orlando the frequency of traffic lights intensified. As I was getting impatient (around 4) I started to burn the bike off the lights. I didn’t realise this little pocket rocket has so much oomph! It makes some racket doing it too. Easily up to 50+ in 2nd after 3-4 seconds.
Day 4: Orlando to Daytona Beach– 72 miles
Today was far more leisurely as I needed some time off the bike. Both mind and body wasn’t playing ball today. I was still lying in bed at 8 which isn’t like me. From the moment I woke up until arriving in Daytona I was a bit of a Space Cadet. I suspect the full-on nature of the “holiday” caught up on me so I decided to ride straight to Daytona Beach and take the afternoon off.
I thought I’d talk a bit about the “daily routine”. There’s more logistics on a bike trip than a car one. You have to strap the pack to the bike in the morning and un-strap it at the destination. My pack is tubular like packing a pillow case so everything has to be placed in and if you’re logistically pedantic like me, all in the same order. On the first few days I’d pack it in the morning then get dressed to realise that socks and pants for the day were buried deep in the pack. Shout expletive, un-pack, find item and re-pack – grrr!
Then there’s the lotion and potions. Any girl reading this will laugh at this due to their daily routine but for guys we tend to just wash & go. Here; after sun on any parts that the wind and sun got. Bite cream on all the mosi / bug bites (I’ve collected a few!) then sun cream. Anyone that invents 2-in-1 after sun and sun cream is a legend in my book. I’m trying to be a roughty toughty biker but I smell like a tarts handbag by the time I’m all ready.
As I came over the first bridge [at Daytona Beach] the sun was shining. I cruised down the A1A with my back straight, riding with 3 fingers one handed pose (it’s the comfiest one!) and felt something to my right rear. A tailgating Billy Bob? No; a fellow Harley rider that came in close for a more personal low five before overtaking and going on his way. Nice touch!
Day 5: Daytona Beach to Miami – 270 miles
The morning ride was the definition of perfection. It was sunny but not too hot, there was a light breeze. The road (Route 1) was basically empty, in good condition and lined with trees. There was even a few corners! I put my feet on the back pegs, tucked my head down, rolled on the throttle and enjoyed the ride. I was smiling for a good few miles. It really couldn’t get much better.
For the second day there was no breakfast booked at the hotel so I needed to eat at some point. I’ve had a hankering for a traditional American diner and I found it in Steves Diner on the way out of Titusville. It was like something out of a Tarantino film. I had pancakes, eggs and bacon – it was amazing. To quote one of my favourite films; Bad Boys: “I don’t wanna be eating at no Dennys anyway”.
I was starting to worry about time so I bit the bullet and went on I95 south.
As before it was an assault on the senses. Vehicles undertaking, overtaking, lane changing without indicating and bad road surface. The bike was mega loud and the wind nose deafening. I had earplugs in my pack but they’re no use if they’re not in my ears. Perhaps the most annoying thing was that the wind pushed my helmet back and I felt like I was being garroted. I’m not talking a light pull on the neck I’m talking choke hold!
At one stage I hit a bump and it bucked me from my seat. Luckily just up and down as opposed to one side. That was a little sphincter puckering at 70mph I can tell you!
Just outside Miami I got caught in a bad downpour so was soaked through again – lovely! I put the bike back, picked up my bag, got an Uber to the airport, changed in the toilets and was ready to head home.
1000 miles under my belt and an amazing adventure. Here’s the rough route for days 3-5:
A few months after the trip I ended up swapping my CBR500 for a Sportster 883 Iron – the bike made such an impact on me.
Hopefully my story has inspired you to get out, ride the miles and start collecting your own adventures. I suggest a solo ride, it’s good for the soul and you get to meet some really interesting people along the way. If you’d like to read more motorcycle adventures from ride the miles follow us on Facebook or Instagram.