Taking a little trip, looking for suggestions for detours!

[dpep]

Not much beauty left on either Florida coastline I'm afraid. Almost entirely developed. When coming north from the keys you might want to take the Fla Turnpike instead of I-95. It costs a few bucks but there is a lot less traffic. I-95 goes through a lot of metro all the way up to north of West Palm Beach.

The FlaTurnpike runs out just south of Ocala on I-75 a few miles from the Don Garlits Drag Racing Museum if that would be of interest to you. From that vicinity take Fla Hwy 42 over to Daytona Beach on the east coast. 42 actually has some curves on it. The Speedway is just off I-95. You will want to go in there and take the tour. It is mostly NASCAR oriented but it does show you around pretty good and gets you out on the track. After you leave the track go out and ride the loop north of Daytona.

http://www.daytonachamber.com/enbw/loop.html

Instead of completing the loop south you can turn left when you get out to A1A and ride up to St Augustine. Much of the road along that stretch runs essentially along the top of the beach. I would cut back over to 95 at St Augustine unless you are looking to kill some time. A1A gets pretty congested through Jacksonville's beaches section. I would say take 95 through Jacksonville rather than 295 though you might get caught in some construction later in the evening. Try to avoid the rush hours as with any large city.

I-95 through Georgia and the Carolinas is brutal. Flat, straight, hot, no scenery. But that will be your most direct route to Southern Pines.

 

[bwringer]

Were I you, if you've ever already ridden the Dragons Tail, I would pass on it. Its simply, by all accounts anymore, over crowded, CRAWLING with cops and probably not worth the hassle if youve already been on it once.

It's a zoo as described after the party crowd rolls out of bed on sunny weekends, but virtually deserted before 10:00 am and on weekdays. Or if it looks like rain.

However, I think the Dragon is definitely well worth riding, as are dozens of superb roads in the area. Just stay away from the peak times.


If you're in search of even more incredible, virtually unknown twistage, I would also suggest US 421 between Bristol, TN and Boone, NC, specifically the section west of Mountain City, TN. It's every bit as entertaining as the Dragon, and goes on much longer. Aside from some deadly coal trucks and a very few local sportybikers, it's virtually deserted.

If you happen to swing through Indiana, look me up -- I live on the northwest side of Indianapolis, and will be happy to offer whatever hospitality I can. We also ride the excellent twisties in Southern Indiana regularly, so holler if you'd like to hook up or need info.