This was another short but sweet run. It was only four days but I got to do some of it with my buddy Chris, a fellow long rider. Chris retired from the Navy and I retired from the Army…so we definitely have that going.
On this trip I met Chris in Birmingham, AL where we checked out the Barber Motorsports Museum and then worked our way along the Florida panhandle, up through Savannah GA and finally home.
DAY 1
The goal today was to get to my hotel in Birmingham. It was going to be a gas and go type of run. I had 450 miles to get there. Not a difficult ride on the BMW 1250RT except for the fact that I have to go through Atlanta…which is never fun.
I hauled ass all the way to Birmingham. I took the interstate for the majority of the trip. It was a long and boring day…but I caught up on my podcasts and pulled into my hotel before it was dark. The weather was perfect! Not too hot, and not too cold…the Klim Marrakesh jacket with a thin thermal underneath was more than adequate to keep me comfortable.
DAY 2
I woke up early and called Chris to see where he was at. Turns out he was at a hotel just a few miles away. I loaded up the RT and zipped over to his hotel where we caught up and made our riding plans down to the panhandle.
First things first though, we needed to check out the museum at Barber Motorsports. Last year when I came here for the festival I didn’t even have an opportunity to check out the museum. There was so much to see at the festival that I simply ran out of time.
The ride to the museum took us about 30 minutes. We pulled in just as they were opening. The place was essentially empty. Perfect timing!
We were the only folks here!
My RT and Chris’s GS stand proudly in front of the museum..eager to get back on the road!
The museum alone was worth the ride! I definitely recommend checking it out if you’re ever in the area…you won’t be disappointed!
This bike sits right near the entrance…I would hate to synch the carbs on this guy.
Barber is a neat place. The museum is massive (one of the largest motorcycle museums in the world) and worth a visit if you’re a fan of any type of motorsports. Right outside the museum is the famous barber race track. It’s an enormous complex!
While checking out the museum we saw some cars practicing on the track. There was a race coming up and the drivers were getting their runs in before their big day.
Drivers taking their practice laps before the big race.
After we got our fill of the museum we mounted our BMW’s and headed to town for some lunch. The goal today was to make it to Pensacola FL. I had a campsite reservation at Rosemary Beach, and Chris was going to stay on base with some of his Navy buddies.
We shot straight down to Montgomery, and then took the backroads all the way to Pensacola. The sun was setting over the Gulf when we pulled in. I could smell the ocean and the soft warm breeze felt amazing.
Chris went to his buddy’s house and I headed to the campground at Rosemary Beach. But first I stopped at a restaurant on the inlet in Pensacola and I ate some delicious seafood while I watched the sun set. It was a perfect evening!
Watching the sun set and enjoying a delicious meal!
It was well after dark by the time I arrived. I felt bad rolling into my campsite so late while people were trying to sleep. I shut the bike down as soon as I found my site, and I set up camp in the dark.
Once everything was set up I sat and relaxed in silence for a while. The stars were bright in the sky, and far down the coast I could see the distant lights of Panama City. I could hear the waves rolling on to the beach. It was so peaceful. I quickly fell into a deep sleep.
DAY 3
I woke up early and well rested. I usually don’t sleep all that well when I’m camping, but last night was different. The soft sand under the tent and the sound of waves does wonders for sleep!
I rolled out of my tent and checked out the site…everything looked so different in the daylight. I began packing up my camping gear when I noticed something funny on my seat. Looks like a raccoon paid a visit to my site last night! I slept so soundly I heard nothing…but the evidence was there.
A calm morning at my campsite
A raccoon paid me a visit at some point during the night.
Thankfully the raccoon didn’t take the RT for a spin…it definitely enjoyed itself though
After I cleaned off the raccoon prints and packed my gear, I fired up the RT and headed off to Panama City to meet Chris for breakfast. We met up at a First Watch restaurant and we took some time to fill up on coffee and recharge our electronics.
The plan was to ride the coast all the way to Tallahassee, and then take the backroads to Jacksonville.
We finished up our breakfast and loaded up the bikes. We hit the road and enjoyed a relaxing ride along the coast. There are areas where the riding is slow and easy, then other areas where you can ride at a good clip. Whether you’re hauling ass or slowly cruising, riding along the coast provides awesome scenery!
We stopped a few times along the way…once for lunch and gas, and once for pictures.
Chris and I went our separate ways when we neared Tallahassee. He headed northeast to home, and I headed due east towards Jacksonville. He needed to be home tonight, and I had a reservation at the KOA just south of Savannah, GA.
I rode the backroads all the way to Jacksonville. Once I arrived, I hopped on I-95 and shot straight north until I reached the exit for the KOA.
I checked in and once again set up my camp in the dark. I showered and crawled into my sleeping bag. I slept great the night before…but sleep would be harder to come tonight. The noise from the interstate traffic seemed to carry right into the KOA…it was annoyingly loud.
DAY 4
I woke up stiff and tired. It was a restless night…but at least it was dry. I quickly packed up my gear and skipped making coffee. I would just grab some in Savannah.
I was only two hours away from home, and I didn’t need any navigation from this point. I know this area quite well. I rolled into Savannah and enjoyed breakfast and coffee. I took my time walking around downtown…perhaps I wasn’t ready for the trip to be over.
Beautiful Savannah GA!
Exploring the water fountain
After walking around for a while I decided it was time to return home. I mounted the RT one last time and rolled out of Savannah towards home. I took the backroads like I always do. I pulled into the driveway reflecting on the awesome ride and appreciating the comfort of the RT. I’ve said it before…the RT is the best bike I’ve ever owned!
Sport Touring Cycle Adventures 