What's the scoop on Richloam in Central Florida?

[mrbones]

Hello!

I've been riding ATVs for years at Croom and recently purchased a dual sport bike so I could ride other places. I read about Richloam on this site and found out its just a few miles east of Croom. I found a road map of it on a FWM site and it looks like it's comprised of all public roads and numbered forest roads. Which sounds perfect for a dual sport motorcycle for exploring.

Do you need a permit to ride there or just a licensed bike? Can you trailer a bike there? Is there parking areas for trailers?

Anything I should know about the place before I go?

Thanks!

[deerslayR]

Mostly old logging roads.
Some good mud holes when it's wet.
Park at Croom (safer) and ride your legal d/s bike over on rt50.
My son and I have done it a few times. It's fun.
No permit needed as of 2006. Just a legal bike.

[MiamiMike]

Good place ,,,,nice mud holes...

BUT NOT DURING HUNTING SEASON:::!!!!

we are not welcome,,till Jan 04 2008

this years riding is pretty much over

[mrbones]

Ok, thanks!

[Dr.Z]

Come out and ride with the sand fleas. Check out the Central Florida Dual Sport Rides thread for info.

[RebelGSPD]

I wouldn't go so far as to say not wellcome but you need to show
a little common courtesy. 8 or 9 months of the year we can pretty
much have the National and state lands to ourselves. Hunting
season fills the year out. Remember most of these people have
hunted these places for several generations. Natch they feel like
its their place in the fall/winter.The help pay for the upkeep etc.
with their licenses while we happily pouch the land the remainder of the time. the next time you read somebody bitching about
drunken hunters blah blah blah Remember how outsiders look
at motorcyclists, especially dirt bikes in the woods. Same stuff.
they are different...fear them...

[mrbones]

I scouted the place out last Saturday with the family in my SUV. Saw several other trucks all of whom I assume were hunters. We went slow and were curteous of all those we encountered. Found quite a bit of mud out there. We had a fun time and didn't have any problems.

I rode up there on my KLX250 on Monday and did 35 miles in the forest. I didn't see one person. I assume this is because it was a Monday. Again, had a fun time. It was amazing riding in a forest and not experiencing any whoops like I see at Croom. I'd definitely feel like an intruder on the weekend so I'll save those trips until hunting season is over. I also think these types of riding areas are best done with nice and quiet stock mufflers. I don't want to give the state of Florida the reason to pass some bogus law to keep us out. Tread lightly as they say.

[sm171]

I’m resurrecting this thread from back from the dead for some more parking suggestions. I was thinking maybe some of the horseback/hiking/bicycle trailheads might work.

[bronc3]

[sm171]

[jaydee1445]

I wheeled Richloam in the Jeep every other week before I got the 9fiddy.
The offical rule is you need a permit from the forest service for an organized ride. (more than 3) I have gotten permit a few times just call the Withlacooche State Forest Office.
The safest place to park is the check staion on North Grade near the fish hatchery. It is also were you are most likey to run into a Ranger or FWC. (permit) Any of the camp grounds are probally safe. I never had a problem.
A word of caution, Richloam can be very wet, and some of the mud holes will swallow a bike. It is common for holes to be 4 ft. deep. We used to have a least one Hydrolocked truck everytime we wheeled there.
West of 471 and north of Lacoochie tends to be dryer.
When are you going out there? Alot of the sandbox inmates would like to do a trip.
FWC has a good map http://myfwc.com/hunting/wma/2007-08...t/Richloam.pdf

[sm171]

Thanks for some good info jaydee1445. I'm familiar with those water holes as I did the Devil's creek run with DDS. I prefer to stay in the dry(er) areas. I can ride most weekends so if a group ride is formed, I'm in. I was going to scout out the area with a GPS, but it's always nice to go with riders who are familiar with an area.

[jaydee1445]

Swampy didn't hit the real bad areas, they just can't be done on a bike.

[Chubber]

Originally Posted by sm171

I’m resurrecting this thread from back from the dead for some more parking suggestions. I was thinking maybe some of the horseback/hiking/bicycle trailheads might work.

Actually, on the East side of the forest, near the Florida Trail there is easy parking and access into the forest on Center Grade road. That is the way I ride in and there is a ton of parking for bicyclists on the Florida Trail.

Route to here:
Florida Trail Parking

The road from there is about 1/2 sand and 1/2 limestone, moving into more limestone. I rode it many times on my 1100 GS with Tourances on it, so it is far from technical, but does merit some care.

[jaydee1445]

I tt Miami Mike about goin out there, I think I'll pass untill I get a beater to trash out there.
Heres wha he said

Hey ,,,I was out there last week
it is WAY WET ,,,not many areas to ride without massive water holes,,,If water all day is OK with you ,,Ill go again,,not many dry places though