Take a Touring Ride Though Florida

There are some beautiful places to ride in every stateyou'll want to stop and tour Kennedy Space Center.
of the union. Florida, however, with its mild winters andNearby Cocoa Beach makes a great overnight stop
helmet optional law, is a very popular state foror camp at the Great Outdoor right in Titusville.
motorcycle vacations ? especially around Daytona's? Continue south on I-95 and you'll find yourself in the
Bike Week or Biketoberfest.Florida Keys after a few hours. Be sure to miss the
You'll find some really great spots to ride from theMiami traffic and stay on I-95 South. Miami isn't a fun
Panhandle to Key West. Along the way, you'll run intoride due to the crowds! If you do want to stop in Miami,
lots of other motorcycle enthusiasts to share the roadtake a tour through South Beach. Once you enter the
with.Florida Keys, you'll see a whole different side of Florida.
? Let's begin in the northwestern portion of theThe life is slow and easy in the keys. The Seven-Mile
Panhandle of Florida. Panama City and Pensacola areBridge really is seven miles long. At the end of the
both great beach rides. Pamana City offers "Theroad, Key West awaits! See the sunset at the
Miracle Mile" right on the beach where everyone,southern most point and do the Duvall Crawl with the
bikers or not, slowly cruises to see the sight of theother parties, but remember to drink responsibly.
neon night.? Heading back up from the Florida Keys, take the
? Crossing Interstate 10 over to Jacksonville, you'll findFlorida Turnpike into Orlando for a day of fun with
Jacksonville to be a great spot for nightlife andMickey Mouse or one of the other theme parks in
beaches as well. All the fun of a big city combine withOrlando.
the peaceful beaches to make Jax, as it is commonly? From Orlando, Interstate-4 will head you right back to
called, a perfect stop on your Florida trip.Daytona for another day or another week of fun in
? Turn down Interstate 95 from Jacksonville and you'llthe sun. If you prefer, you can cruise the back roads
find St. Augustine just an hour's right south. Headof the west coast of Florida for a trip you'll remember.
toward the beach through this quaint little town to findBut you won't find places like Daytona Beach on that
the historic section where the Spaniards firsttrip.
established themselves in this country. Tour the fort,Most importantly, no matter where you decide to
take a horse and buggy ride, visit the old drug storetravel in Florida, remember that the helmet laws is a
and oldest school house in the U.S. and much more.helmet-optional, but you only have the option if you
? From St. Augustine, you can head south again and,carry $100,000 medical coverage on your motorcycle
around Ormond Beach, head over to U.S. 1 for yourpolicy. If you are riding with minimum coverage and get
ride into Daytona Beach. At the Speedway, turn eaststopped, the fines can be high. Also, remember that
and head for Boothill Saloon, the Iron Horse, and all theeven though Florida has rescinded the helmet law, it
beach spots. Come prepared to party becausecertainly hasn't improved those cage drivers watching
Daytona is a fun beach town. Stop at Daddy Rat'sfor bikers! Keep a close watch on them because
and other unique beach shops and ride "The Loop"anything can happen when a northern tourist in a cage
which is a well-known run beginning north at thesees a pretty palm tree!
Granada Bridge on John Anderson Drive in OrmondYou'll find Florida bikers are friendly, helpful people,
Beach. Continue north to Highbridge Road, turn left andalways ready to share with you the next great
go over the Inter-Coastal Waterway, the Halifax Rivercampground on the road or the next biker-friendly bar
by any other name. Enjoy the winding turns until youor restraint or the next good bike mechanic. Enjoy
approach Walter Boardman Road where you turn leftyour ride through the Sunshine State!
to Old Dixie Highway. Take another left and you'll beTyler Powers is a contributing author and webmaster
heading south into Ormond Beach. This 22 miles offor Custom Choppers Guide . Also, get a special free
Florida's beauty is a traditional run for Bike Week ormini course on chopper motorcycle building mistakes.
Biketoberfest participants.You will learn the common mistakes motorcycle
? Back on I-95, or if you prefer the scenic route, goingbuilders make and how to avoid them.
south on U.S. 1, you'll come to Titusville, Florida where