My best friend is coming home from Iraq in December, but only for 4 weeks. I want to plan a 4-5 day ride while he's home, but I'm concerned about the weather. Not worried about the cold (I can dress for that), but I do want to stay away from snow without avoiding curves and hills. Does anyone know of a good ride in the Southeast (leaving from Jacksonville, FL) where snow won't be a concern. I know that staying in Florida is the obvious answer, but I can't tolerate anymore straight flatlands!

 

jpalm,
Amen brotha! I would think that a nice ride to N'awlins would be in order, maybe move on thru Texas?

 

Head on to Amarillo, TX then head a little south and ride through Palo Duro Canyon.... Google the Big Texan Steakhouse, great place to eat!

Have a good trip!

 

Kind of a crap shoot in the southeast in december. Here in SC, I have played golf in shorts after christmas or dug out of the snow. For what it's worth, the weather nerds say a warmer than normal and dryer than normal winter if you trust them. Something about El Nino

 

The roads here in Louisiana are terrible. I have rode to most of the major cities in La. and have yet to find a nice road for riding. Now if you can manage and do get to TX theres lots of nice riding. If you have to be back in 5 days thats not leaving alot of time to enjoy yourself. Id stick to GA,AL FL area. North of Atlanta has some good riding but you need to watch for snow. Around Warm Springs Ga is nice riding on FDR parkway.

 

I live in central Florida... Making a run to Key West is good anytime of the year.

 

Perhaps the following link "http://www.byways.org/" may help you in getting ideas. Thank your best friend for his service.

 

Move to Hawaii

 

Too many liberals. Besides, I'm afraid the DMV wouldn't get my bike registration right. Their government offices tend to lose important paperwork, like birth cetificates. Sorry, is that considered political?

 

I think a ride up to Myrtle Beach is what I would want to do. I'm also interested in Civil War history, so hitting some sites in SC and GA would be a lot of fun too.