Jim Ford Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 Hello Folks, I don't often post so I first want to introduce myself. Jim Ford here of The Rider's Workshop (www.ridersworkshop.com) I am planning a scouting "mission" to sunny Florida to search out what I call Invisible Roads for my Workshops. These are local roads with an emphasis on interesting landscape, hills and curves. I have never motorcycled in Florida before, and a dear friend and riding mate of mine, Paul Mihalka (aka Old Fart,) suggested I post you all as a possible resource. What region of the state has the most concentrated Invisible Roads? It being Florida, I understand it's a relative thing. Do you happen to have a few route #'s I could explore? Paul tells me a number of you folks are a fount of knowledge. I'd be most appreciative if I could tap the well. Link to comment
Jake Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 Hi Jim - Paul knows South Florida well, and I think he'd agree with my avatar for this area. If any roads in Florida can be termed interesting, they would have to be located well North of Lake Okeechobee, likely in the NW quadrant of the state. Some of our riders mid-state will for sure chime in with specifics. Good luck! Link to comment
Bernie Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 I think that you will be looking for roads in the northern part of the state. Probably north of I-4. If you can use GPS files, I maybe able to help out. Link to comment
FrankT Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 Check out the back roads in Hernando County! Link to comment
tallman Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 Jim, Start w/a Good Atlas, such as DeLorme. There are some loops with variations that are nice, 2 lane, rural, little traffic, with food, that abound in the north of Ocala, west of Starke, over through the midsection of the Panhandle region. Most "coastal" roads are disappointing in that there are developments and traffic, BUT, there are some that offer views of the water with less population and congestion. I'll PM you at a later time and offer some suggestions. Link to comment
jacksonwr Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 I agree mostly flat uninteresting roads south of orlando but some interesting views. Came up the east side of Lake Okeechobee over the weekend. Link to comment
Paul Mihalka Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 Nice view (I've seen it many times) but Jim for his Rider's Workshop to work needs twisty two-lane roads that preferably also go a bit up and down. Link to comment
pedro cerveza Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 We call Florida the opposite of the Dragon, 11 turns in 413 miles. There are a few interesting roads. Try CR 455 from Rt 50 in Claremont to Rt 19 in Howey-In- The-Hills. CR 561 intersects with 455 in 2 places and it is a great ride as well. The road around Lake Apopka has some fairly twisty sections and some sweepers too. You'll want to check out the Ozello Trail. It's the twistiest road we have and you end up at the beach on the Gulf coast. Link to comment
Huzband Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 I'll give roadscholar a shout, maybe he can help with finding a suitable location. Link to comment
roadscholar Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 Jim, I sent a PM on four different riding areas between Orlando and Tallahassee that you may be able to use. Link to comment
Albert Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 I am planning a scouting "mission" to sunny Florida to search out what I call Invisible Roads for my Workshops. I think you'll be highly successful finding "invisible roads" in Florida. Sorry I couldn't resist. Having ridden a number of times down there it was the first thing that came to mind when I read your description. I'm sure someone more local can help. Link to comment
Francois_Dumas Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 Yeah, where's Bill when you need him !!?? Link to comment
roadscholar Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 Invisible... Hello Francois, not to worry I've got him covered. Link to comment
Francois_Dumas Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 I figured you might know some roads with 'curves'... we saw a few nice ones on our trip last year. How are you Bill !? Link to comment
tallman Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 So Al, how's the riding been lately? Snow reason not to ride all year, is there? Link to comment
roadscholar Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 Sorry I couldn't resist. Having ridden a number of times down there it was the first thing that came to mind when I read your description. I'm sure someone more local can help. Tim, I can understand people up the eastern seaboard complaining about the roads in Florida in the Spring, Summer, and Fall, but not on Ground Hog Day, I mean.... Hey Punxsatawney Al, tell us what the groundhog does tomorrow, like we care... Link to comment
Bernie Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 Let them complain all the want to, as long as the stay on the Interstate and not clog up our good back roads, they do not bother we. Link to comment
RichEdwards Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 Jim, Forget about South Florida. Wonderful beaches. Flat and straight roads. Others may have good suggestions for the Panhandle of Florida where Tallman has taken me on some wonderful routes. The best roads I know about are in Citrus, Hernando, Pasco counties in West Central Florida. Lots of elevation changes, lots of curves, scenic routes thru horse and cattle farms and fragrant orange groves. Two of the best roads are the twisty routes in Ozello (Ozello Trail, Rt. 494) and Istachatta Rd. in Istachatta. The former twists thru Everglades-like wetlands and the latter passes ranches and farms. Foreigners from the other 49 states that I have led on these roads have all been pleasantly surprised. They thought that there were NO good roads in Florida. Wrong. Here's the section of Florida of which I speak: Link to comment
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