Alligator Alley at night.
#21
01-18-2012 | 08:18 AM
Banned
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 5
I do that trip to Miami a lot, I have made the comment a few times abut the lack of road kill. Bring your own lunch.
When you get to Miami put your gun in your left pocket. Have you practiced shooting with your left hand while driving 80 MPH. I grew up in Miami and learned how to drive the expressway, VERY Aggressive Drivers.
The unmarked Patrol drive SUV's- Explorers, A blue Camero, and of course a black Charger. Highway Patrol has Zero tolerance.
Have a Safe trip.
When you get to Miami put your gun in your left pocket. Have you practiced shooting with your left hand while driving 80 MPH. I grew up in Miami and learned how to drive the expressway, VERY Aggressive Drivers.
The unmarked Patrol drive SUV's- Explorers, A blue Camero, and of course a black Charger. Highway Patrol has Zero tolerance.
Have a Safe trip.
#22
01-18-2012 | 08:37 AM
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,314
Likes: 16
From: Texas
8-10 years back I rode across that almost on a monthly basis. Many times at night too. Only saw one baby gator dead in all my travels back then. There is a gas station not quite half way across where you can gas up and snack up.
I would suggest keeping pace or following behind another vehicle if you can. Not much for scenery at night, but nice and cool and very serene.
I would suggest keeping pace or following behind another vehicle if you can. Not much for scenery at night, but nice and cool and very serene.
#24
01-18-2012 | 09:28 AM
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,788
Likes: 1
From: Maine
Actually, they are starting to show up in Maine now, but nothing like Florida. Tip noted.
#25
01-18-2012 | 08:20 PM
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 301
Likes: 1
From: Miami, Fla.
done it a bunch...
Clearwater to Naples is a healthy run, stop at the last exit b4 the Alley, SR951, 3-4 gas stations, Cracker Barrel, couple fast food joints, fill up, stretch your legs... not sure what bike you have but I set the cruise on mine at 78 and let r rip... if you have a windshield, use it, if you don't get a FULL faceshield and neck wrap.. I usually ride on the right side of the left lane and avoid the right lane wrinkles, if it's a cool full moon night it's actually a nice ride and will be virtually bugless... watch the traffic from b4 the Cape Coral bridge past Fart Myers, plenty of stupidity thru there
ride safe
Clearwater to Naples is a healthy run, stop at the last exit b4 the Alley, SR951, 3-4 gas stations, Cracker Barrel, couple fast food joints, fill up, stretch your legs... not sure what bike you have but I set the cruise on mine at 78 and let r rip... if you have a windshield, use it, if you don't get a FULL faceshield and neck wrap.. I usually ride on the right side of the left lane and avoid the right lane wrinkles, if it's a cool full moon night it's actually a nice ride and will be virtually bugless... watch the traffic from b4 the Cape Coral bridge past Fart Myers, plenty of stupidity thru there
ride safe
#27
01-18-2012 | 10:02 PM
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,426
Likes: 24
From: Melbourne, Florida
I rode across the Tamiami Trail (41) east to west in late March many years ago at night; I would never ride the Everglades at night again. Had to keep wiping my faceshield frequently to clear the bug goop, and when I finally stopped at a cafe a few miles from Naples, there was a plopping noise as several handfuls of bug goo slipped off my lap and jacket to the ground. The back of my tank and front of the seat was covered in bug goo. The whole front of my blue jean jacket was coated with bug goo. My helmet was dripping. I went into the cafe leaving little dribbles of bug goo on the floor. Everyone in the place just stared at me. When I got to Naples I put my jeans and jacket through a coin washer. It was a naked bike, but I suspect even a bagger with full fairing would get pretty messy. There were areas that looked like a thick fog in the headlight - bugs by the billions. It would take years driving in another state to accumulate that many bugs. Probably lucky I didn't hit an animal with the bug blurred vision. Carry mosquito repellent, plenty of it - if you have to stop at night, they'll try to suck you dry while some of the other bugs just start eating on you. Oh yeah, back then, didn't have to worry about pythons warming themselves on the pavement.
#29
01-18-2012 | 10:15 PM
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,672
Likes: 876
From:
On March 10th I'll be making the relatively short trip from Clearwater to Fort Lauderdale. Won't be leaving Clearwater until about 4pm which according to Google maps will get me to Ft. Laudy around 8:30 pm. It's been about 20 years since I've crossed alligator alley. Any concerns crossing at night alone on a bike?
But,
I-75 AKA alligator alley
This is 2 lanes going east and another two lanes going west with a large and wide grass median in between...a long, long time ago it was one up and one down with only a double line separation as protection...as long as no accidents or fires exist (check before departing) the traffic runs at 70mph + ..but consider not going 5mph over because the troopers do not play.
no issues. starts at about MM 100 +/-1 and ends at about MM 25 +/-1 so it is about 75 miles
something like $2.50 or $3 oneway... with only ONE indian reservation fuel stop in the middle. (last gas is in naples MM 101 just before alley)
There are bath room facilities on alligator alley now..i believe there are two state run facilities with lighted parking and then the indian gas station...other than a flat tire which would suck the only thing you will notice is the high speed drivers, bugs drawn to your headlight and how cool the night sky looks...Note:you will discover some bug remains and smell a bit like swamp upon arrival at destination.
#30
01-19-2012 | 02:21 AM
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 27,077
Likes: 4,633
From: Frozelandia, Minnysota
