Moving to the south. Any good riding locations? | FerrariChat

Moving to the south. Any good riding locations?

Discussion in 'Florida' started by JoeyB13, Jul 13, 2014.

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  1. JoeyB13

    JoeyB13 Rookie

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    Hey everyone. This is my first post on Fchat. I'm originally from Ellwood City, Pennsylvania. Me and the family will be at our new house in New Smyrna Beach FL tomorrow afternoon. The 360 spider is already down there. Really looking forward to riding it down there. Nsb is right next to Daytona. Besides trying to weasel my way onto the speedway. Where is a nice place to cruise of anyone knows?!
    Thanks,
    Joe
     
  2. ARTNNYC

    ARTNNYC F1 Rookie Owner Rossa Subscribed

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    Starting in the fall I am going to start hosting a C & C event in St Augustine.
     
  3. Hilgram

    Hilgram Karting

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    Any idea on a starting date? I'll have to try to make it out there for it at least once
     
  4. JoeyB13

    JoeyB13 Rookie

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    I'm all in for that
     
  5. BartonWorkman

    BartonWorkman F1 Veteran

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    As photography students in Daytona, we'd have to venture out to capture some different
    images for assignments. Sometimes, this took us off the beaten path out to western Volusia
    county where there are a lot of decent back roads, very rural. But of course, there are always
    cops in those small towns looking for big city boys in fancy cars.

    You may venture further west into north central Florida, from north of Orlando, up through
    Clermont, to Ocala and Gainesville, there are some really decent roads with actual elevation
    changes which is the first thing you're going to be missing coming from Pennsylvania.

    One stretch is not to be missed called Sugar Loaf Mountain, which is a very nice road linking
    Clermont and Monteverde. Years ago, this area was nothing but orange groves and pastures
    with a ribbon of road that would do Spa-Francorchamps proud. These days, that area may
    be developed with housing as so much of that area is now but it may still be worth a look.

    KevFl from Orlando has organized a few rallies that have utilized routes in through these areas,
    he'd know the names and locations of the various highlights.

    BHW
     
  6. GuyIncognito

    GuyIncognito Nine Time F1 World Champ Silver Subscribed

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    ^^^ what Barton said. some decent driving roads NW of Orlando/south of Ocala.

    otherwise Florida is mostly flat and straight :(
     
  7. Nativetroy

    Nativetroy F1 Veteran Rossa Subscribed

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    There are some pretty roads on the coast, but other than on ramps, there isn't much in the way of curves with elevation changes. But come over to the clermont area and you'll find some fun. Roads are decent, surfaces aren't too bad. Your only real issue will be on the weekends when all the bicyclist are out.
    There are a few C&c's scattered around, north, south and west of you. There's a good show near Orlando in April.
    I'm sure you'll enjoy yourself around here.
     
  8. Wade

    Wade Three Time F1 World Champ Owner

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    Without having to go too far, from New Smyrna Beach FL to St. Augustine along A1A is a nice trip, although cruising speeds only. The area north of Palm Coast is almost idyllic.

    Otherwise, a round-trip to Port Canaveral (US 1 with a detour through the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and back over the NASA Causeway) is great for lunch, several harbor restaurants to choose from.
     
  9. JoeyB13

    JoeyB13 Rookie

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    Thanks guys. I appreciate it. Hopefully we meet along my time here in Florida. Very excited. New journey in life. Wouldn't have any other car accompany me than the 360
     
  10. GatorFL

    GatorFL Moderator Moderator Owner

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    Tomoka State Park just north of Granada Blvd in Ormond. Cross over to A1A and head back south to NSB. Also there is a road to Merritt Island just south of Edgewater, you can see a lot of Kennedy Space Center and some other cool stuff.
     
  11. dirtlawyer

    dirtlawyer Rookie

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    I agree with Barton. The montverde area is great for driving and not too terribly far from NSB. Congrays on the move. I love NSB, in-laws have a place in seacrest that wife and I borrow as often as work allows. Not sure of the car scene there but try Spanish River Grill for dinner, it's a favorite.
     
  12. RP

    RP F1 World Champ

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    Head north on A1A towards Jacksonville. Stay on A1A through Atlantic Beach until you get to the St. John's river. Find the ferry boat that crosses the river and puts you back on A1A. Stay on A1A going north.

    I do not remember, either before you get on the ferry, or after, there is a seafood shop that will be on your left. You pick out what you want, and they prepare it like you want. We were in a hurry, had shrimp tacos like none other. But just get a snack. You will keep driving north to Amelia Island. Proceed to the beautiful village of Fernandina Beach. Either spend the night, or at least have a meal.

    Depends on what time you left NSB, if you are having lunch or dinner. At this point, you are looking at a 4-5 hour drive.

    When you finish, follow the signs to I-95, and return home. I did this trip the other direction. You may want to make this drive to coincide with the Amelia Island Concourse.

    Plenty of photo ops.
     
  13. phil dade

    phil dade Rookie

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    Check out Outriggers, Restaurant and Bar on the water. Ask for my friend, Ian Carey. Ian runs it and will take care of you with the lay of the land. Enjoy!
    Phil Dade
     
  14. JoeyB13

    JoeyB13 Rookie

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    Alright. I really wanna try all of these. Little brothers and little sisters will be in mid summer so we can get lots of good road time in together before they go back. Each trip will be unique for each one of them. Can't wait to be down there. Really looking forward to it.
     
  15. Konadog06

    Konadog06 Formula Junior

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    Joe I sent you a private message.
    Bill
    FL
     
  16. tomd308

    tomd308 Karting

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    From Granada go north on Beach St. It eventually turns into N Dixie Highway. N Dixie is an old style Florida canopy road that also goes by marshes and tidal flats. It comes out on US1 at Korona. Watch your speed here, it's heavily patrolled especially on weekends when there a lot of motorcycles in the area.
     
  17. GuyIncognito

    GuyIncognito Nine Time F1 World Champ Silver Subscribed

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    that's a pretty drive. nearly arrow straight, but pretty :)
     
  18. BartonWorkman

    BartonWorkman F1 Veteran

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    Found a few YouTube videos of the Sugar Loaf Mountain drive. The video doesn't do
    the elevation change justice as this is Florida's second highest peak, but you get the idea.

    Looks to be a popular area for motorcycle and bicycle riders as well.

    [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Er8CgSxm6rI]Mini Cooper with GoPro Sugarloaf Mountain in Florida - YouTube[/ame]

    BHW
     
  19. jehu999

    jehu999 Formula Junior

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    Used to ride my Duc thru Sugar Loaf years ago. Since then a lot more LE and more homes and traffic but still worth the trek from NSB
     
  20. Rosso328

    Rosso328 F1 Veteran Owner Rossa Subscribed

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    For a day trip from NSB, you could take 44 west through Deland. Once past there it turns into a nice rural road with a few good turns to keep you interested. Follow 44 right in to Mount Dora, browse the antique shops and cafés, get some home made ice cream, sit down by the lake, then follow 44 all the way home.

    Then stop at Spanish River Grill for dinner.

    Or The Breakers for a burger.

    Or down A1A about half a mile south of 44 to SoNapa Grill.

    I love New Smyrna Beach.
     
  21. BT

    BT F1 World Champ Lifetime Rossa

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    Holy hyperbole, batman! If that video shows a stretch of road that would make the Spa Francorchamps proud, I must be missing something. It looks like a road that goes uphill with some pretty rough pavement, and then there is a right turn and eventually a left turn. What am I missing?

    :)
    BT
     
  22. Rosso328

    Rosso328 F1 Veteran Owner Rossa Subscribed

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    Well, to be fair, the video doesn't do the elevation change justice, but that's about it.

    If heading to that area, I think there are better roads. I like to take CR 455 up through Montverde to Ferndale, turn left onto CR561A, follow that to CR561 and turn right. Follow that north till it meets up with 455 again, turn right and head back south. It forms kind of a triangle so going south brings you back to 561A where you can turn right and do the circuit again.

    When you're done, keep going south down 455 past 561A, and just after you enter the town of Montverde at the top of the rise, turn right onto Fosgate Road. Follow Fosgate until it ends at Old Hwy 50. Turn left onto Old 50 to head back towards Winter Garden, or turn right to head out to Hancock Road and the rest of the main routes.
     
  23. Nativetroy

    Nativetroy F1 Veteran Rossa Subscribed

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    You pretty much nailed the best route, Paul. Sugarloaf is rough, and not that exciting. Not compared to the others. I grew up in the area, it's still fun, but there is more traffic, and a lot of cyclist on the weekends. I love a late night run though, less traffic, more warnings, and no bikes.
     
  24. BartonWorkman

    BartonWorkman F1 Veteran

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    The video cuts off too early. Not sure why the driver came to a halt the way he did.

    I attended boarding school at Monteverde, took my driver's education courses on those roads
    (even if we couldn't exceed 45MPH then), believe me for Florida it's a mighty piece of road even
    if it needs resurfacing.

    BHW
     
  25. bmxracer50

    bmxracer50 Karting Owner Silver Subscribed

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    I'd love to find some better roads. As of yet, I'm afraid the only thing that quickens the pulse down here is the other drivers. Roads that have curves seem far between and posted limits are so low that even a slightly spirited ride/drive could put you in handcuffs. I hate to be negative, but this seems to be one of the realities of the area. I'm meeting nice people, jobs are good, Real estate prices are manageable, but driving is not as fun as NorCal and there are fewer racetracks than in the Midwest.
     

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