Good offroading in Florida? Winter trip. - Page 2

thorinoakenshield · 12-25-2012, 06:38 PM

Ok ok. Thx for the feedback.
I'll skip the touristy stuff and stick to the dirt stuff up north and in the panhandle.
LOL Key West does seem like a must. I always see pics of bikes near that large buoy:

And of course, I'm a big fan of Scarface, but I've never been to Miami.
All that'll be good for another trip, maybe with my Versys during another miserable winter next year.

I'll do some more research, thanks again....

motomike14 · 12-25-2012, 07:07 PM

Key West was cool about 20 years ago. It's lost a lot of that "old town" must. It's a mega tourist trap now. Before, you could at least feel like you were welcome in any scummy bar there. Now, those are reserved for the "locals" only, leaving only the downtown areas to hang out at.

Lots more cool opportunities in the aforementioned areas. Dr. Z hit it right on the head for the proper ride. Especially for our shindig in Osceola (hope you like water!) There's also some good riding near the St. Augustine area known as the "gnarly playground." Check out the CADS thread on here, as many of them do rides in Ocala and the playground.

thorinoakenshield · 01-15-2013, 06:50 PM

hmm...it looks like i'm pushing this out until March...and I'll be going to the Daytona Supercross!!

This going to be so rad! I've never been to one before.

I'll go offroad for 2 days, too.

livetosail · 01-15-2013, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr.Z

Suggestion...

1) Ocala to Blackwater River State Forest... hook up with some of the Panhandler ADV crowd for a ride.

2) Blackwater to Appalachicola National Forest. Eat lunch at the Family Coastal in Sumatra.

3 Appalachicola to Osceola National Forest. If you're there during this shindig, stop by for a visit!

4) Osceola to Ocala National Forest.

5) Ocala to Orlando Auto Train.

Key West is boring IMO unless you have a boat or want to get your drink on! If you want to see the "dirt" side of Florida, the places mentioned above will fit the bill.

If you need some tracks for any of these areas... PM me with your e-mail addy and I'll get them out to you as soon as I can.

What he said. Be ready for some crazy sand though... http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=853670

jaydee1445 · 01-18-2013, 04:52 AM

Once you get tired of picking up the 690 after busting your ass in the sugar sand with those 50/50 tires not the best combo for your 1st try at sugar DAMHIK you might want to check out the all you can eat stone crabs in everglades city before heading to sin city for the art deco pics.
It is a tradition for us locals The gravel on the Squares, Jane's, loop rd and the levees will get you out into the Galdes for some gators and wildlife. Probably your best shot at seeing a Panther.

FLARider1 · 01-23-2013, 05:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaydee1445

Once you get tired of picking up the 690 after busting your ass in the sugar sand with those 50/50 tires not the best combo for your 1st try at sugar DAMHIK you might want to check out the all you can eat stone crabs in everglades city before heading to sin city for the art deco pics.
It is a tradition for us locals The gravel on the Squares, Jane's, loop rd and the levees will get you out into the Galdes for some gators and wildlife. Probably your best shot at seeing a Panther.

what he said!!!!

FLARider1 · 01-23-2013, 05:22 AM

This.....

Very rapidly and very frequently........

Turns to this........

and really isnt all that much fun to ride. I would not recommend riding it alone. This little patch of sand created this.....in a matter of seconds!!

Its all fun to ride....challenging but fun!! But I wouldn't recommend doing it alone!!!!

The main roads through the parks and forests stay in decent shaped and are traveled enough for help to wander by if you go down, but once you get onto the trails you are on your own. This is a noob to the area making an observation from the couple of times I have ridden there, the guys the live and ride up there all the time can chime in, but if'n it was me, I would not ride it alone on a mostly street set up bike!!

If cash flow allows I would recommend the auto train. You leave Sanford(Orlando) at 1630 and are in Lorton with the bike in hand by 1030 the next morning. You then still have 6-8 hours of riding time left in the day. So basically you cover 1200 miles in 24 hrs without killing yourself. It is a huge time saver. We plan to use it on both legs of a trip from Homestead to New Foundland and back this summer.

jaydee1445 · 01-23-2013, 05:22 AM

FWIIW This section is about average for Florida;when you get into the white stuff it's much worse. That sand still has some moisture try it when it's dry.

thorinoakenshield · 01-23-2013, 04:12 PM

Thanks for the replies, pics and concern.
Damn, I'm taking the 690, I'm thinking I ought to be on the 450!
I agree that sand is fun and challenging, but making a day out of it would be a bit much....actually, that would f*king suck!
Also, your Florida sand is much deeper and goes on for miles...

I'll be taking the autotrain and staying near the Daytona area. So I'll be going to Ocala, Osceola and (possibly) Apalachicola. Maybe I'll see what tracks to check out and what to avoid...
I'm going to the Daytona Supercross race, too, which is going to be rad.

jaydee1445 · 01-24-2013, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thorinoakenshield

Thanks for the replies, pics and concern.
Damn, I'm taking the 690, I'm thinking I ought to be on the 450!
I agree that sand is fun and challenging, but making a day out of it would be a bit much....actually, that would f*king suck!
Also, your Florida sand is much deeper and goes on for miles...

I'll be taking the autotrain and staying near the Daytona area. So I'll be going to Ocala, Osceola and (possibly) Apalachicola. Maybe I'll see what tracks to check out and what to avoid...
I'm going to the Daytona Supercross race, too, which is going to be rad.

Keep an eye on the sandbox; Jack Daniels might do an event at the Scrub in Ocala for bike week. If he does there will be plenty of rides in the Forrest.

thorinoakenshield · 01-28-2013, 08:38 PM

So I'm trying to sort through some of the trails I can ride.
Which trails would be good for a day ride in Ocala?

jaydee1445 · 01-29-2013, 05:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thorinoakenshield

So I'm trying to sort through some of the trails I can ride.
Which trails would be good for a day ride in Ocala?

None of those on that map are any good, too many cockroaches (quads) they are all OHV trails.
I assume your 690 is tagged so you can ride any # road.
Delorme's Florida Gazetteer has most of the "maintained" roads but many are too sandy to fun alone one a 690. For you first time and riding alone I would suggest staying on the orange clay roads, many of them have some deep sand if you feel the need.
USFS published maps of legal roads here
looks like there will be a campout at the Scrub in Ocala during bikeweek

Jack Daniel · 01-29-2013, 06:16 AM

12-25-2012, 06:38 PM	#16
thorinoakenshield ^OP ya mo be there Joined: Dec 2011 Location: santa rosa Oddometer: 398	Ok ok. Thx for the feedback. I'll skip the touristy stuff and stick to the dirt stuff up north and in the panhandle. LOL Key West does seem like a must. I always see pics of bikes near that large buoy: And of course, I'm a big fan of Scarface, but I've never been to Miami. All that'll be good for another trip, maybe with my Versys during another miserable winter next year. I'll do some more research, thanks again.... __________________ ktm 450xcw, ktm 690 enduro r, kawasaki versys 650 "In Europe we ride about eight-tenths. If we really have to, we might ride nine-tenths. The crazy ones ride ten-tenths—but not for very long. In America, they seem to ride eleven-tenths all the time."-- Phil Read

12-25-2012, 07:07 PM	#17
motomike14 Thumper Crusader Joined: Jan 2010 Location: Florida Oddometer: 1,015	Key West was cool about 20 years ago. It's lost a lot of that "old town" must. It's a mega tourist trap now. Before, you could at least feel like you were welcome in any scummy bar there. Now, those are reserved for the "locals" only, leaving only the downtown areas to hang out at. Lots more cool opportunities in the aforementioned areas. Dr. Z hit it right on the head for the proper ride. Especially for our shindig in Osceola (hope you like water!) There's also some good riding near the St. Augustine area known as the "gnarly playground." Check out the CADS thread on here, as many of them do rides in Ocala and the playground. __________________ "Living just to keep going, goin' just to be sane." - The Black Keys I prefer kick starters, air-cooling, and carburetors over anything.

01-15-2013, 06:50 PM	#18
thorinoakenshield ^OP ya mo be there Joined: Dec 2011 Location: santa rosa Oddometer: 398	hmm...it looks like i'm pushing this out until March...and I'll be going to the Daytona Supercross!! This going to be so rad! I've never been to one before. I'll go offroad for 2 days, too. __________________ ktm 450xcw, ktm 690 enduro r, kawasaki versys 650 "In Europe we ride about eight-tenths. If we really have to, we might ride nine-tenths. The crazy ones ride ten-tenths—but not for very long. In America, they seem to ride eleven-tenths all the time."-- Phil Read

01-23-2013, 05:22 AM	#22
FLARider1 Beastly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2009 Location: Homestead, Florida Oddometer: 1,018	This..... Very rapidly and very frequently........ Turns to this........ and really isnt all that much fun to ride. I would not recommend riding it alone. This little patch of sand created this.....in a matter of seconds!! Its all fun to ride....challenging but fun!! But I wouldn't recommend doing it alone!!!! The main roads through the parks and forests stay in decent shaped and are traveled enough for help to wander by if you go down, but once you get onto the trails you are on your own. This is a noob to the area making an observation from the couple of times I have ridden there, the guys the live and ride up there all the time can chime in, but if'n it was me, I would not ride it alone on a mostly street set up bike!! If cash flow allows I would recommend the auto train. You leave Sanford(Orlando) at 1630 and are in Lorton with the bike in hand by 1030 the next morning. You then still have 6-8 hours of riding time left in the day. So basically you cover 1200 miles in 24 hrs without killing yourself. It is a huge time saver. We plan to use it on both legs of a trip from Homestead to New Foundland and back this summer. __________________ Sandy Beaches to Frozen Tundra RR Sandy Beaches to Frozen Tundra smugmug Sandy Beaches to Frozen Tundra Spotwalla

01-23-2013, 04:12 PM	#24
thorinoakenshield ^OP ya mo be there Joined: Dec 2011 Location: santa rosa Oddometer: 398	Thanks for the replies, pics and concern. Damn, I'm taking the 690, I'm thinking I ought to be on the 450! I agree that sand is fun and challenging, but making a day out of it would be a bit much....actually, that would fking suck! Also, your Florida sand is much deeper and goes on for miles... I'll be taking the autotrain and staying near the Daytona area. So I'll be going to Ocala, Osceola and (possibly) Apalachicola. Maybe I'll see what tracks to check out and what to avoid... I'm going to the Daytona Supercross race, too, which is going to be rad. __________________ ktm 450xcw, ktm 690 enduro r, kawasaki versys 650 "In Europe we ride about eight-tenths. If we really have to, we might ride nine-tenths. The crazy ones ride ten-tenths—but not for very long. In America, they seem to ride eleven-tenths all the time."-- Phil Read thorinoakenshield screwed with this post 01-23-2013 at 04:32 PM*

01-18-2013, 04:52 AM	#20
jaydee1445 Footpeg Crash Tester Joined: Jul 2006 Location: high sided into the orange grove Oddometer: 3,653	Once you get tired of picking up the 690 after busting your ass in the sugar sand with those 50/50 tires not the best combo for your 1st try at sugar DAMHIK you might want to check out the all you can eat stone crabs in everglades city before heading to sin city for the art deco pics. It is a tradition for us locals The gravel on the Squares, Jane's, loop rd and the levees will get you out into the Galdes for some gators and wildlife. Probably your best shot at seeing a Panther.

01-28-2013, 08:38 PM	#26
thorinoakenshield ^OP ya mo be there Joined: Dec 2011 Location: santa rosa Oddometer: 398	So I'm trying to sort through some of the trails I can ride. Which trails would be good for a day ride in Ocala? __________________ ktm 450xcw, ktm 690 enduro r, kawasaki versys 650 "In Europe we ride about eight-tenths. If we really have to, we might ride nine-tenths. The crazy ones ride ten-tenths—but not for very long. In America, they seem to ride eleven-tenths all the time."-- Phil Read

01-29-2013, 06:16 AM	#28
Jack Daniel See Ya At The Scrub Joined: Sep 2005 Location: Weeki Wachee, FL Oddometer: 11,808	More pics at The Scrub link in my sig __________________ Life is what happens while you're busy making other plans JOHN LENNON The Scrub The Swamp

01-30-2013, 07:19 AM	#29
thorinoakenshield ^OP ya mo be there Joined: Dec 2011 Location: santa rosa Oddometer: 398	Very cool! I'll chime in on the Scrub campout thread. __________________ ktm 450xcw, ktm 690 enduro r, kawasaki versys 650 "In Europe we ride about eight-tenths. If we really have to, we might ride nine-tenths. The crazy ones ride ten-tenths—but not for very long. In America, they seem to ride eleven-tenths all the time."-- Phil Read

02-03-2013, 06:55 PM	#30
steveWFL Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Feb 2010 Oddometer: 253	Key West is ok to sit at the bars and such, but if you run a bike up to 60 MPH in any direction, brake hard or you'll be sucking salt water. I bin der a time or two __________________ '10 Concours14 with >70,000 miles and ticking' '99 ZX9R Ninja - rolling retro style

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