Moving to the south. Any good riding locations?

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

otherwise Florida is mostly flat and straight

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

Joe I sent you a private message.
Bill
FL

 

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.

 

that's a pretty drive. nearly arrow straight, but pretty

 

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

 

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

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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.