Tag Archives: Travel

Florida Loop 2026 – Daytona Beach to Palatka

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CLICK ON PHOTO ABOVE FOR VIDEO OF DAY 7 PART 6

Florida Loop 2026 Day 7 Part 6 – April 10th 2026

In this video I am departing Daytona Beach, Florida and headed to Palatka, Florida where I stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in Palatka, Florida for the night.

Day 7 Total Miles from Dupuis Campground to Palatka, Florida = 273 Slow Miles 🙂

Today’s Original Plan

The original plan for Day 7 was to ride from Dupuis Campground near Indiantown, Florida, ride east to the coast, and then ride north on Florida A1A to Daytona Beach. In Daytona Beach I would ride the Ormond Scenic Loop and then proceed to Ocean Pond Campground near Lake City, Florida in the Osceola Wildlife Management Area and camp for the night. While the weather was fantastic today for camping (a rare occurrence on this trip) I grossly underestimated the time it would take to ride north from Stuart, Florida to Daytona Beach.

While I accomplished most of my goals for the day from Palatka, Florida, Ocean Pond Campground would have been about another 1.5 ride in the dark in area and roads I am not familiar with. While I can and have ridden plenty at night, I prefer not to as the potential road hazards and wildlife risk increase exponentially, plus, you can’t see anything at night.

It had been a long day waking up at camp just before sunrise and instead decided to cut the route short for today and stay at the Holiday Inn Express and make up the 74 or so miles on Day 8.

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Scarlett Homecoming | Fly-In & Ride Home Trip

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CLICK ON PHOTO ABOVE FOR FLY-IN RIDE HOME – SCARLETT HOMECOMING PREP VIDEO

May 7th, 2026

I will be flying out of Atlanta Georgia tomorrow May 8th, 2026 to Orlando, Florida and then catching an Uber (or Lyft) to Deland, Florida where I will spend the night in a hotel. The next morning on Saturday May 9th, 2026, I will be picking up Scarlett, my new to me 2006 Honda VTX 1300S from RC Hill Honda in Deland, Florida.

The Plan

The plan is to ride Scarlett home from Deland (with a 40 mile detour through Daytona and ride the Ormond Loop again, becuse I am here) to Douglasville, Georgia for a planned distance of 488 miles (just shy of 500 miles) and arrive home sometime in the evening (hopefully not too far past sunset).

Planned Route

Route – Part One
Route – Part Two

Weather Concerns

Because this is the southeast, of course there is rain forecasted pretty much for the entire ride home. Depending on the weather forecast source, forecasted rain is either going to be an all day, all trip affair or it will be scattered with showers and thunderstorms. If there are scattered showers and thunderstorms I feel I can deal with that much better than an all day, all trip rain event. I am not sure I have room to pack any rain gear (pants and jacket) but I will try. My Revit jacket does a pretty good job with the rain as is even though it is not really a waterproof jacket (I did not use any rain gear during Florida Loop 2026, the RevIT pants and jacket was good enough). However, on this trip, I will be wearing Cycle Gear Ironman Riding jeans which will get soaked if it is an all-day rain event, yuck. I will see if I have room to pack rain pants and if not, will just deal with it.

I am more concerned with slow travel due to rain. Scarlett has Michelin Commander tires installed (which are great) and the tread looks good. However, I have not yet inspected these tires in person and will do so Saturday morning. Worst case scenario is I will have to get new tires (I don’t think so) on Saturday morning, which of course will also delay me.

This is also a new to me bike. Even though I have owned two VTX 1300’s in the past, it has been 9 years since I have ridden one. Plus, each bike is always a bit different. I will not be riding Scarlett hard on this trip home and if the rain is prevalent with reduced visibility, I will be riding even slower. I also don’t want to ride this bike much in the dark on the maiden voyage, especially if it is raining due to low visibility and safety concerns.

Contingecy Plan

If my rate of travel is slower than expected due to weather, the bike, ergonomic issues, etc. I have three locations in Georgia picked out to stop for Saturday and then resume the trip home on Sunday May 10th, 2026. The three contingency stops are Douglas (not Douglasville), Perry, and Griffin. I would like to get home Saturday night, but I am not going to push it past where I feel comfortable or if I feel safety is being compromised. Better to arrive a day later without any incident. Well worth the Hotel fee.

Florida Loop 2026 Day 7 Part 1 – Dupuis Campground to Stuart, Florida

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CLICK ON PHOTO ABOVE FOR FLORIDA LOOP 2026 DAY 7 PART 1 VIDEO

April 10th, 2026

This video contains the start of Day 7 departing Dupuis Campground – Canal Point, Florida and my ride east to the coast on Florida Highway A1A in Stuart, Florida.  This morning’s ride starts rural, transitions to suburban metropolitan and then into coastal areas.

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Scarlett Homecoming – Fly In, Ride Home Trip

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Fly In & RIde Mototcycle Trip to Bring Scarlett Home

As announced in an earlier posting, on April 28th, 2026, I purchased a new to me 2006 Honda VTX 1300S that has been named Scarlett. On the early evening of May 8th 2026, I will be flying out of Atlanta, Georgia to Orlando Florida, and then taking an Uber to my hotel in Deland, Florida. The following morning, I will pickup Scarlett from RC Hill Honda in Deland and ride Scarlett home to Douglasville, Georga.

As also stated in my Scarlett Introduction Post, Scarlett is now my thrid Honda VTX 1300, When I started riding for realish in 2015, I had a 2007 Honda VTX 1300C which I sold in October 2015 as I scuffed it up in a low side. At the time, it was easier for me to replace the bike than to repair it. In February 2016, I purchaed a 2004 Honda VTX 1300C that was named Jolene. I brought Jolene with me to my move to California from Minnesota in January 2017. Sadly, in August 2017, I had a high side crash with Jolene and she was totaled. In November 2017 I doubled down on my interest in long distance touring and purchased a 2005 Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic named Dexter which was traded in for Bruce, a 2025 Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 Special in October 2025 that is now my primary touring bike.

With all these bikes 2 up ridiing is possible but frankly sucks with the Pan America, Scarlett will be the primary for adult 2up riding and local cruising. Bruce, the Pan America, is primary for touring but will still see action locally as well.

Scarlett’s Homecoming Route Overview

With the exception of the portion from Deland Florida to Daytona Beach, Ironiclly, 99% of the route I just rode with Bruce, my 2025 Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 Special, during my Florida Loop 2026 Motorcyle Tour that I completed on April 11th, 2026 this route will be nearly identical. During that tour, I rolled through Daytona Beach and the Ormond Loop (fantastic short route) during Day 7, April 10th, 2026. I had no idea at the time I would be back so soon, let alone on another motorcycle. 🙂

From Daytona Beach, Florida to Douglaville, Georgia the route is the exact same is my route during Florida Loop 2026.

Route Parts One and Two will both occur on the same day, May 9th, 2026. The route is brown down in two parts only due to the fact I used Google Maps to plot the route.

Total Planned Miles = 488 Miles Should be very doable but Scarlett does have that crappy stock seat, I have already ordered the Ultimate Seats Big Boy Ulitmate X seats and plan to install them in June.

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Florida Loop 2026 Day 5 Part Two

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CLICK ON PHOTO ABOVE FOR FLORIDA LOOP 2026 DAY 5 PART TWO VIDEO

April 8th, 2026

For Florida Loop 2026 Day 5 Part Two I continue to roll south to Key West, Florida via US Highway 1 – Overseas Highway.  The riding through the keys in many areas was spectacular, despite some heavy traffic in some of the town areas (with Key West having very heavy traffic).

Day 5 Total Miles (Part 1 & 2) = 221 Miles

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Florida Loop 2026 Day 5 Part 1

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CLICK ON PHOTO ABOVE FOR FLORIDA LOOP 2026 DAY 5 PART 1 VIDEO

April 8th, 2026

On Florida Loop 2026 Day 5, I rode 221 miles from Everglades City, Florida to Key West, Florida. This video for Day 5 Part 1 covers some of the 84 mile ride from Everglades City to Homestead.

Route to Homestead

I rolled out of Everglades City on Calier Avenue / Florida Highway 29 to US Highway 41 and rolled east (US Highway 41 South) through some of the Everglades and turned south on Florida Highway 997 to Homestead, Florida. In Day 5 Part 2 I continued south and turned onto US Highway 1 / Overseas Highway to Key West.

Sketchy Rest Stop

Shortly after turning onto Florida Highway 997, I found myself needing to take a break and stretch my legs. At the junction of US Highway 41 and Florida Highway 887 there was a gas station / convenience store but I it was on the other side of the highway and decided to keep rolling to find a gas station easier to get in and out of (yeah, I do that lol). 9 miles down the road and all I encouted was produce stands and farm fields.

I was in desperate need of break to stretch my legs, cool off and hydrate so I pulled off at one of the produce stand on what looked to be a paved street. This was a “street” in a rural, agriculture area and as I turned in, the street itself looked like it was bombed and not in use. I actually almost dropped the bike in what was left of the pavement before the “bombed” out section. I was at a full stop and was preparing to back up the bike a little to turn around to face the highway and park. I looked and did not see the loose pea size gravel on the deteriorated asphalt, it blended right in and I could not see it. When I transferred weight to my root foot, it was like I was standing on marbles and my foot began to slide to the right as the weight of the bike started tipping to the right. A nice panic shot of adrelene and I was able to quickly shift my weight to the left and centered the bike. Then it was baby steps to turn around Bruce on the mess they called a street.

Crazier yet, people were driving through the bombed out area to I am guessing a residential area beyond. Even a Tesla 3 series came driving through. What really ground my gears though, was about 4 miles or so down the road there are about 6 gas stations with nice flat paved lots LOL. SIGH.

Day 5 Part 1 Summary

This part of the ride was uneventful and fairly chill. Rolling through the Cypress trees again was enjoyable. Once I reached the sawgrass area of the Everglades, it was like riding in the plains states, complete with a pretty roubust crosswinds as well.

Florida Loop 2026 – Loop Road Scenic Drive (Short Verson)

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CLICK ON PHOTO ABOVE FOR VIDEO OF MY RIDE ON LOOP ROAD SCENIC DRIVE – SHORT VERSION

April 7th, 2026

This video is the short video of my  23.6 ride of Loop Road Scenic Drive in the Big Cypress National Preserve just off US Highway 41 with the eastern part of the road roughly 43 miles west of Miami, Florida. 

Loop Road Scenic Drive – Big Cypress National Preserve

The Loop Road Scenic Drive offers a raw, unfiltered journey into the heart of the Big Cypress National Preserve, stretching across a 24-mile transition from rugged gravel to paved road.

 As you navigate this detour off the Tamiami Trail, the landscape transforms into a prehistoric corridor of towering bald cypress trees draped in ghostly Spanish moss and vibrant air plants. The slow pace is mandatory, not just for the sake of your vehicle, but to spot the abundant wildlife that claims the roadside; it is common to see American Alligators basking on the banks, wood storks wading through the dark “blackwater” strands, and even the occasional elusive otter.

It is an immersive experience where the silence of the swamp is broken only by the chorus of cicadas and the splash of a rising gar, providing a stark, beautiful contrast to the manicured environments of nearby South Florida.

This road, scenery and observing the alligators was the highlight of this trip for me personally.

24 Mile Loop Road Scenic Drive – Big Cypress National Preserve
Loop Road Scenic Drie in Relation to Miami, Florida
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Florida Loop 2026 Day 3 – Part 2

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CLICK ON PHOTO ABOVE FOR THE VIDEO OF FLORIDA LOOP 2026 DAY 3 PART 2

April 6th, 2026

This is part 2 of 2 of my Florida Loop 2026 Motorcycle Tour. Today is April 6th, 2026 and I am continuing my day 3 trip from Perry, Florida to Chokoloskee Island, Florida. In this video, I roll south from Bradley Junction, Florida on Old Highway 37 to Ona, Florida. Then I ride towards Punta Gorda, Florida on US Highway 17, and take a much need break and a fabulous, Gourmet, gas station meal in Cape Coral, Florida from US Highway 41. This video ends with a brief ride (in the rain again) on Interstate 75 and back onto US Highway 41 on my way to Everglades City, Florida and ultimately onto Chokoloskee Island, Florida

Florida Loop 2026 is the not so clever name for my motorcycle touring trip, riding a loop of the state of Florida…. hence the name of the trip

Florida Loop 2026 Total Miles = 2,261

Day 3 Part 2 miles traveled = 229 Miles Riding south mostly on Old Highway 37, US Highway 17, and US Highway 41.

Total miles for Day 3 (Part 1 & 2) = 386 Miles. Not too bad with rain, and the numerous breaks taken today. Had I started at a more decent time (I overslept and woke up in a panic about 20 minutes before checkout at 11am LOL) I would have most likely arrived in daylight instead of rolling the last bit in the dark. I very much prefer riding during the daytime, more to see and safer.

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Florida Loop 2026 Day 2

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CLICK ON PHOTO ABOVE FOR VIDEO OF FLORIDA LOOP 2026 DAY 2

April 5th, 2026

Florida Loop 2026 is the not so clever name for my motorcycle touring trip, riding a loop of the state of Florida…. hence the name of the trip

Florida Loop 2026 Total Miles = 2,261

Day 2 miles traveled = 286 Miles riding Big Lagoon State Park in Pensacola, Florida east on US Highway 98 to Holiday Inn Express in Perry, Florida

The original end of day plan for today was to camp at the Ocen Pond Campground near Lake City, Florida.  However, I had a very late start today rolling out of camp around 1:30PM waiting for the heavy rain to subside enough so that I wouldn’t have to tear down camp in the heavy rain.  I hate packing away soaked gear (it was still wet but not soaked by the time I packed up camp).

The heavy rains started at about 5:30AM and persisted for most of the day up until about 11:30AM – Noon. 

Camp setup and tear down took me a bit longer than normal as a lot of my gear was new to me on this trip and I was also a bit rusty having been nearly 3 years since I last moto camped during my USA Midwest 2023 motorcycle tour.

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Florida Loop 2026 Day 1 – April 4th, 2026

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CLICK ON PHOTO ABOVE FOR VIDEO OF DAY 1

Florida Loop 2026 – Day 1

Florida Loop 2026 is the not so clever name for my motorcycle touring trip, riding a loop of the state of Florida…. hence the name of the trip

Florida Loop 2026 Total Miles = 2,261

Day 1 miles totaled 331 miles riding from Douglasville, Georgia through Montgomery, Alabama and ending the day in Pensacola, Florida camping in Big Lagoon State Park.

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