Denver to Jacksonville Florida

[toolinalong]

Everyone,

I have been caring for a friend's 1978 R80/7 for the past two years while she was in Paris France working. She has just returned to the states, and I am thinking about riding it down to her, leaving on Dec. 27th.
I live in the Denver area, and she has just moved to Jacksonville, Florida (she used to live here).
I figured I might get away with it if I head straight south to Texas, aiming for the Houston area, and then across the southern part of the country.

The issue being of course avoidance of too much cold and any snowfall. I hate riding in the snow, but I can handle a bit of cold for a few hours at a time.

All of my x-country riding has been in the summer months, and I am unfamiliar with those states' weather patterns this time of year. Any help anyone can give me regarding what I might expect along the way (including West Texas) would be much appreciated.

My planned route would be something like: Denver to Boca Raton NM, thence to Houston via US 64 & US 87 & etc., then I-10 over to Florida.

Thanks in advance.

[Boxer]

Once you get down into Texas, I'd bet my left nuckle you won't encounter any snow all the way across on I-10. There might be some rain...and there might be some cold, but not likely to be at the same time until January or so.

The "Coolest Rally in Florida" is scheduled for Jan. 12-14 just southwest of Jax, if you're in the neighborhood then. Be careful on I-10 going through Pensacola. There's construction and it's very dark along that road, making it hard to see highway markings.

[Dr. Strangelove]

agree with Boxer's recs.
Very unlikely, but not impossible for freezing precip. Most likely would be in the high 50's to mid 60's during the day. It will be humid and the cold will go through you if not dressed appropriately.

I 10 is pretty bad, especially across La and Ms and Al to Mobile. Houston could be nightmarish in I 10. Once past Mobile it gets marginally better. It is not very scenic at all. might look for alternates.

John

[acejones]

I would differ with the previous poster. I-10 through Mississippi and Alabama is a piece of cake ! It will be the pits from Houston to Baton Rouge. Going through the Pensacola area will be a challenge due to the eternal construction project.

[Sunbeemer]

The I-10 bridge across Escambia Bay east of Pensacola was wiped out during Hurricane Ivan, and is still being rebuilt. Eastbound lanes cross 3500 feet of single lane Bailey Bridges - the metal bridge work you find on bascule (Draw) bridges. The big signs warn motorcycles against crossing it, but it is doable...or you can take the detour route Hwy 90 through Pace to 281 or Avalon Blvd and reconnect with I-10 east of the bridge.

Weather patterns in this area are variable. When the cold fronts move eastward, and they can bring heavy rain, especially between Marianna and Tallahassee. Typically as a cold front passes there will be HEAVY FOG at night. This can be impenetrable visually, and will be like biking by braille. Find a hotel before the sun sets if a front is imminent. Watch the Weather Channel in your hotel to know what to expect and plan accordingly. Freezes, while rare during daylight hours along the Gulf Coast, usually don't result in icing.

Good Luck and dress warmly!

[Wass]

toolinalong -Man that sounds like a great ride any time of the year.
I'd get maps and do backroads rather than the slab.
You will get rain though, unless you really luck out.
And it will be something you can say you DID.
Everyone likes an adventure..

[RBrider]

I'd come south on I-25, then work my way over to US 84 east, and follow it into Georgia. Thus avoiding the construction on I-10.

It puts you just north of I-10, so weather should be about the same. The pace should be much more suitable for that older bike.

I just did a large portion of that route in end of Oct. I enjoyed it.

RB

[yjleesvrr]

I rode I-10 from NO to just shy of Pensacola last May. It wasn't bad at all traffic-wise. All the interstates I ride on the East Coast have much heavier traffic. It's all relative, but my guess is that if you're used to Denver traffic then New Orleans won't be bad for you. Just be sure to stop in NO to enjoy the French Quarter.

[bigdelta]

Published - December, 20, 2006

Bridge opening relieves drivers
New Interstate 10 span 'a nice Christmas present' for commuters

The new Interstate 10 bridge over Escambia Bay opened Tuesday to eastbound traffic, restoring a significant transportation link while helping a community heal.
For the first time in 27 months, two lanes of eastbound traffic are crossing the I-10 bridge. The bridge entrance ramp at Scenic Highway also opened Tuesday.
Hurricane Ivan's storm surge crippled the bridge on Sept. 16, 2004, knocking dozens of 220-ton bridge segments into the bay. It severed a link between Escambia and Santa Rosa counties and shut down a major east-west traffic corridor for 17 days.
"What a remarkable journey we've been on since Sept. 16, 2004, when Hurricane Ivan tore this community and this bridge apart," said Gov. Jeb Bush at the bridge opening ceremony Tuesday.
The I-10 bridge came to symbolize Ivan's destruction for many after a tractor-trailer driver was killed trying to cross it during the storm.
The new eastbound span is expected to relieve traffic off congested U.S. 90, which clogs with vehicles every workday afternoon. It also will ease the gridlock that occurs in the eastbound lanes of I-10.
"I'm excited about it. I'm ready," said Robert Tillery, 70, who lives near I-10 south of Bagdad. His job doing contract work for Winn-Dixie takes him throughout the two-county area, and the damaged bridge was an obstacle.
Kyle Marler, 24, recently moved to Milton and commuted to Pensacola via U.S. 90. He'll use the new bridge now.
"I wouldn't go down this bridge (before)," Marler said. "(U.S. 90) was quicker, but it still was horrible."
Crews finished work on the 2.5-mile span this week. Westbound traffic will shift to the new bridge by the end of the week. The new westbound span is expected to be complete by the end of 2007.
"The new bridge is the crown jewel in the Hurricane Ivan repairs," said Pensacola resident Kyle Godwin, 34. "Here's a nice Christmas present for the community."

[quote="Sunbeemer"]The I-10 bridge across Escambia Bay east of Pensacola was wiped out during Hurricane Ivan, and is still being rebuilt. Eastbound lanes cross 3500 feet of single lane Bailey Bridges - the metal bridge work you find on bascule (Draw) bridges. The big signs warn motorcycles against crossing it, but it is doable...or you can take the detour route Hwy 90 through Pace to 281 or Avalon Blvd and reconnect with I-10 east of the bridge.