Since I bought my 2014 CB1100DX, I have planned a summer adventure of some type in the 5000 to 6000 mile range. All have been fun, except for last years 5000 mile Aug/Sept western states ride … rider got hot and run down (the return ride down the I-5 wiped me out because of Labor Day traffic and heat). This year was thinking about a San Diego to Key West trip via I-10 (2800 miles one way) because … no good reason other than I haven't been there and it sounds like a cool future memory. Anyway, some family/friends who have been there said its seems like just a hot/humid/inclimate ride that would not be fun. Anybody familiar with I-10 and Florida riding?
Hot, humid, and really boring (especially through Texas). Make the trip but I think you’d have a more pleasant experience if you avoided the interstate as much as possible.
i'm familiar w/ i-10....from Las Cruces, NM to tallahassee, FL
nothing but 18 wheelers and accidents that turns an otherwise fast flowing interstate into gridlock. worst spot is the bridge in Baton Rouge, LA. 2 lanes can't handle the traffic that gets before the bridge so there's typically a 10 mi bottleneck line at any time of the day. Once you're past Baton Rouge and headed towards FL,the traffic and scenery alongside i-10 is rather pleasant. But it's all flat, straight, and boring to me. My riding buddy otoh...he just eats up all that interstate droning. Loves it to death.
I’ve been on I 10 from California to south western Alabama. In the summer on a bike? Just shoot me now. It’s bad enough with AC , cruise, music etc.
I used to run a rig from Orange County to all points in the Southeast. Unless you like going straight and looking at beige for days on end, I-10 is a way to get from one place to another, not a drive you choose for recreation.
You could mix it up a bit... Start in San Diego, cut across to 74 into Palm Desert, cut up to the 40 through Sedona once your in AZ, swing back down at some point, etc. At least that will allow you to turn at some point, and break up the landscape.
Thanks for injecting some sanity into my initial I-10 route idea
From Dallas you could take hwy 80 which is mostly parallel to I 20 and then switch over to hwy 90 for a more scenic ride.
Having lived in Mississippi from 2008 till 2019 and in Birmingham, AL till now ( and currently in Destin Fl just off 10 on vacation) the heat and humidity will be in the high 90s each day of your proposed itinerary in MS, Al and FL.
Maybe consider going more northeast toward the east coast rally in time to attend it.
Quote:Maybe consider going more northeast toward the east coast rally in time to attend it. I second that motion!
(05-28-2020, 02:26 AM)bflint_imp Wrote: [ -> ]Since I bought my 2014 CB1100DX, I have planned a summer adventure of some type in the 5000 to 6000 mile range. All have been fun, except for last years 5000 mile Aug/Sept western states ride … rider got hot and run down (the return ride down the I-5 wiped me out because of Labor Day traffic and heat). This year was thinking about a San Diego to Key West trip via I-10 (2800 miles one way) because … no good reason other than I haven't been there and it sounds like a cool future memory. Anyway, some family/friends who have been there said its seems like just a hot/humid/inclimate ride that would not be fun. Anybody familiar with I-10 and Florida riding?
I lived in Miami for 25 years and have done many rides from Miami to Key West. Yes, it’s going to be super humid and warm at this time of year. Once you reach the first keys, you’ll be amazed by the beauty of the landscape to your left and to your right. After 30 minutes, you’ll be bored with it as there’s not much to see as the road is bordered by bushes. You’ll get another amazing view on the 7 miles bridge and then boring again until you reach Key West. That’s for the road.
About Key West, I wouldn’t go there in the summer as a lot of cheap cruise ships dock there, flooding the streets with tourists, although I’m not sure if this year they’ll be in Key West due to post-Covid situation. Here again, too humid and hot. Locals tend to stay indoors under AC for most of the summer. Oh I didn’t touch on the rain storms which can appear out of nowhere in this season.
I’m any case, best of luck, if you can do it after the summer, it’ll be much better.
(06-10-2020, 08:17 AM)Spontini_imp Wrote: [ -> ] (05-28-2020, 02:26 AM)bflint_imp Wrote: [ -> ]Since I bought my 2014 CB1100DX, I have planned a summer adventure of some type in the 5000 to 6000 mile range. All have been fun, except for last years 5000 mile Aug/Sept western states ride … rider got hot and run down (the return ride down the I-5 wiped me out because of Labor Day traffic and heat). This year was thinking about a San Diego to Key West trip via I-10 (2800 miles one way) because … no good reason other than I haven't been there and it sounds like a cool future memory. Anyway, some family/friends who have been there said its seems like just a hot/humid/inclimate ride that would not be fun. Anybody familiar with I-10 and Florida riding?
I lived in Miami for 25 years and have done many rides from Miami to Key West. Yes, it’s going to be super humid and warm at this time of year. Once you reach the first keys, you’ll be amazed by the beauty of the landscape to your left and to your right. After 30 minutes, you’ll be bored with it as there’s not much to see as the road is bordered by bushes. You’ll get another amazing view on the 7 miles bridge and then boring again until you reach Key West. That’s for the road.
About Key West, I wouldn’t go there in the summer as a lot of cheap cruise ships dock there, flooding the streets with tourists, although I’m not sure if this year they’ll be in Key West due to post-Covid situation. Here again, too humid and hot. Locals tend to stay indoors under AC for most of the summer. Oh I didn’t touch on the rain storms which can appear out of nowhere in this season.
I’m any case, best of luck, if you can do it after the summer, it’ll be much better.
Thanks.