Dan Brewster brings SFUN Tours, a motorcycle tour service and rental
business, to Highlands County
LAKE PLACID - Motorcycle touring is all about the adventure of the
ride according to Dan Brewster who recently launched South Florida's
Unique Nature Tours.
SFUN
Tours is a motorcycle tour service and rental business. SFUN
Tours offers three- and six-day tours of south Florida, cities of
the south, coast to coast, and Oregon. But Brewster is not going
to stop there. He has plans to expand his business to include motorcycle
touring trips internationally, to Alaska, and to Nova Scotia.
Brewster believes the real Florida lies within the beauty and serenity
of Florida's natural environment. "Ride the real Florida focuses
on the beauty of the environment, from the sandy beaches of the
Florida Keys, to the mangrove jungles and orange groves, you'll
see more wildlife and beautiful scenery than you knew existed (on
our tours)," Brewster said.
Brewster plans activities such as air boat rides, sunset boat tours,
walks through serene sanctuaries, soaks in mineral springs, swimming
in the Gulf of Mexico, walks along the Atlantic coast beaches, and
even canoe trips. "In March, we will be offering spring baseball
tours, 18 major league baseball teams practice within 150 miles
of each other in south Florida, or guests can create their own tours,
and select the teams they want to see," Brewster said.
Brewster offers everything from a fully guided tour to a casually
assisted tour along with the option for a guest to create their
own tour. Guests can rent a a new model BMW, a Harley Davidson or
a Honda and ride on their own. Brewster is planning to purchase
a small trainer motorcycle for beginners. Brewster recently added
a 2002 Harley Davidson V-Rod motorcycle and a 2002 Honda 1800 GL
Gold Wing motorcycle to his fleet of bikes.
His motorcycle of choice is a BMW R1100RT which he rode across
the country to Oregon where he was born and raised. "When I was
riding around the country talking to people I was surprised at how
many people said they want to take a motorcycle tour," Brewster
said.
Brewster took his first motorcycle ride three years ago. Then in
February, he was riding around the 125 mile loop of Lake Okeechobee
pondering what direction his life would take when the idea for the
touring company came to him like a vision.
"Few places on earth hold the beauty of south Florida and with
its 1,200 miles of back roads, wonderful weather, and smooth roads
there is plenty to see and do on the tours," Brewster said. Brewster
escaped the rat race of the big city two years ago when he sold
his communications center for cruise ship crew members and relocated
to Lake Placid from Fort Lauderdale.
"A motorcycle tour gives many riders the vacation experience of
a lifetime." Brewster believes once guests get a taste of motorcycle
touring on the open road they will return again and again. His first
client rented one motorcycle for a week in July and returned to
rent several other motorcycles. Motorcycle touring involves endurance
and stamina.
Brewster said he is a big fan of Ron Ayres who set the world record
for endurance motorcycle riding by logging 8,798 miles in seven
days covering 49 states. "The iron butt (designation) goes to those
people who can ride 1,000 miles in a 24-hour period," Brewster said.
A three-day tour generally covers approximately 600 miles while
a six-day tour will take a rider approximately 1,200 miles. "There
are many reasons people ride motorcycles, but I like riding the
distances," Brewster said. The tours are generally one way trips.
Brewster emphasizes flexibility in meeting the needs of his clients.
"We can meet them at the airport, or meet them at their hotel and
we'll pick up the bike a week later (after the tour)," Brewster
said.
Brewster offers free delivery to residents of Tampa, Orlando, Fort
Lauderdale and Naples. A lot of the cost of motorcycle touring and
rental is due to the volatility in the insurance industry, but Brewster
said his company's prices are low by industry standards. "SFUN Tours
is a small company offering completely furnished tours with rates
of approximately $200 per day," Brewster said. Brewster said he
sees no reason why people should pay $300 to $400 per day to go
on a motorcycle tour. "(Motorcycle) tours are not only for the wealthy
riders," Brewster said.
The price included rental of the motorcycle, insurance, food, lodging,
entrance to attractions, a service van that carries an extra motorcycle,
maps, and a tour guide. The motorcycles are insured but the rider
is responsible for the first $1,000 in damage. Each bike is outfitted
with tools, a flat tire kit, and operator's manual. Touring motorcycles
are set up with a windshield and saddle bags. Helmets are available
free of charge.
Brewster is offering a 35 percent discount for Highlands and Polk
county residents for all of August and September. The group tours
are small and usually include between four and six riders but can
be as large as eight riders.
Call 465-7721 for more details.
Brewster was enthusiastic as he spoke about plans for future tours.
He has a passion for motorcycle touring and he wants to share that
passion with others. "I'm doing something I really enjoy," Brewster
said.
To
visit SFUN Tours click here.
Article Courtesy of News-Sun
