Webster is a great destination for the weekly flea market on Mondays or the Sunday monthly motorcycle swap meets. Obey the speed limit and watch for gravel in the turns. These roads will give you ample opportunity to work through the gears as well as great hilltop views. Watch out for bicyclists as this area is very popular for biking, share the road.
This is a short, but very good, ride can be considered a sampler for some of the many excellent riding roads found in Pasco and Hernando counties. The route includes shady lanes and gentle slopes as you pass by shimmering lakes and sprawling horse farms. Let us know if you happen to spot the Bellamy Brothers.
If Pablo Picasso were to interpret Plant City's world famous strawberry, the outline might resemble our map route. The 56-mile loop takes you rolling past acres of fruit filled fields on the back roads surrounding the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World.
There are quicker ways to get from Tampa to Lake Wales, but we believe scenic is always better. This route will give you some curvy roads, some country roads and a few stretches of highway. The destination, Bok Tower Gardens, is just as scenic as the ride with colorful gardens and a reflection pool surrounding a majestic 205-foot tall carillon tower with 60 bells. It's been a Florida landmark since 1929.
Road Name- Direction - Miles
Start at the Intersection of SR 60 and McMullen Booth Rd
This ride starts in Apollo Beach and winds southward to Ellenton and back. The roads are mostly flat and straight with new subdivisions crowding out the farmland. At the southern end of this ride is a host of restaurants and such around the outlet mall. Enjoy a break before heading back out into the countryside for the return ride.
We'll cross that bridge when we come to it and this ride has you crossing all five of Tampa Bay's bridges. This route features some of the best the area has to offer; the palm-lined beaches along the Courtney Campbell Causeway, the unrivaled view from atop the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, the magnificent mansions along Bayshore Boulevard, and the old Florida scenery along US 41. We started our ride in Clearwater, but feel free to pick your own starting point.
Road Name - Direction - Miles
Start in Plant City - Intersection of Baker St E & N
Want strawberries? Go to Plant City. Want spring water? Then it's Zephyrhills. Want a great ride? Follow this route from P-City to Z-hills and back again.
Road Name - Direction - Miles
Start in Plant City - Intersection of Baker St E & N Wheeler St
The Interstate highways will get you up and down the peninsular part of Florida quickly on either coast but the good riding is smack dab in the middle of the state. This ride from Okeechobee to Ocala is a backroad honey hole and includes portions of three designated Scenic Byways; The Ridge is at the start, The Green Mountain winds along Lake Apopka, and the Florida Black Bear takes you through the Ocala National Forest. Ride the full route or pick out a slice along the way to enjoy.
Road Name - Direction - Miles
Start in Okeechobee at intersection of SR 70 and US 98
Florida has more than 11,00 miles of coastline. Much of it is covered with condos and hotels but there are still stretches where manatees, bald eagles, and even black bears can be found. Some of the best costal roads are found in an area known as the Nature Coast which stretches from Pasco to Wakulla counties along the Gulf Coast.
We've selected four coastal byways which run westward from US 19/98. The Ozello Trail is the curviest of the group while you can swim with the manatees at the end of CR 44. Yankeetown was founded in 1923 by a policeman from Indiana and Cedar Key, which was once a small fishing village, is now a tourist getaway desination.
Road Name - Direction - Miles
Start in Crystal River at intersection of US 19/98 and Ozello Trail
CR 494/W Ozello Trail - West - 9.2 Miles
Ride to bridge at Peck's and return to US 19 - 9.2 Miles
US 19/98 - Left (north) - 1.9 Miles
CR 44 - Left (west) - 9.2 Miles
Ride to boat launch and return to US 19 - 9.2 Miles
US 19/98 - Left (north) - 13.2 Miles
CR 40 - Left (West) - 7.3 Miles
Ride to Yankeetown and return to US 19 - 7.3 Miles
US 19/98 - Left (north) - 22.5 Miles
SR 24 - Left (west) - 21.4 Miles
Now that you're in Cedar Key, relax and enjoy yourself
Finding valleys in Florida is sort of liking searching for palm trees in Alaska. However, there is an area of the state that geologists have dubbed "Bone Valley". They're referring to an acient fossil field that lies about 20 feet below the ground surface of this ride which loops through the phosphate mines of central Florida. We'll stay above ground and take a tour through the quaint townships of Bartow, Fort Meade, Bowling Green, and Wauchula.
Road Name - Direction - Miles
Start in Brandon at Intersection of CR 39 and Lithiab CR 664
Leesburg is located in one of the most scenic areas of the state. This loop circles a couple of the lakes south of town and includes a ride across Sugarloaf Mountain, the 2nd highest natural elevation in Florida.
Road Name - Direction - Miles
Start at the corner of Canal and Main Street in Leesburg
Want to get away from the crowds? This ride through the Ocala National Forest will have you rolling down the backroads where the only things you need to look out for are the forest creatures. Be especially wary if riding through here at night. This ride has a bit of everything: tight curves, long straight runs, and even a couple of hills. Enjoy.
Road Name Direction Miles
Start east of Silver Springs at SR40 & Hwy 315 intersection
The Leesburg/Lake County area has some excellent riding roads. This loop takes you north of town and around Lake Griffin. It's got some rolling hills, lakeside views, and curving, tree lined roadways. You're also likely to discover a couple of cool places to stop for a break along the way.
Good riding roads are rare to be found between the eastern shore of Lake Okeechobee and the Atlantic coast, but we found a nice little route that you're sure to enjoy. The ride isn't all that long but make sure you've got enough fuel before you start as you won't find a lot available on this ride. You will enjoy some scenic backroads and a few stretches of canopied highway along the way to afford some shade from the sun.
Road Name - Direction - Miles
Start west of Stuart at intersection of SW Martin Hwy & SW Citrus Blvd
This ride takes you past some of the architectural wonders of central Florida. Start out at Florida Southern College, home to many examples of Frank Lloyd Wright's designs before riding out to the futuristic building along 1-4 that is home to Florida Polytechnic University. The route then winds through Winter Haven and past Legoland. Think of all the things that have been built with those little plastic blocks. The ride winds up at the famous Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales.
Haines City's history incluldes agriculture and this ride gives you a chance to see some of that old fashioned rural charm meeting up with modern society's urban growth.
Auburndale was founded in 1880 by some northern folks seeking a warm winter refuge. Since then, the citrus groves and ranching have been the maintstays of the local economy. The rural setting is what makes this ride appealing as you roll past the multitude of lakes in this area. We doubt you'll find a road with more curves per mile than Lake Lowery Road.
Starting in Sebring this ride winds through Highlands Hammock State Park and then down to Lake Placid where you'll find dozens of murals in the historic downtown. This area also produces 98 percent of the world's supply of caladiums. The east side of the loop takes you around Lake lstokpoga, Florida's fifth largest lake renown for its bass fishing.
This ride begins and ends at the famous Cabbage Patch in Samsula. It's a relaxing ride with some unique stopping off points such as Cassadaga, the town known as the "Physic Capital of the World". Don't worry they know you're coming. Reaching the coast you can add a side trip south about 20 miles to visit the Kennedy Space Center.
The Ormond Loop, a National Scenic Byway, takes you on a tranquil ride through the Tomoka Basin. We start beachside before winding through the marshlands and canopied covered two-lane roadways. We've extended our ride north to Bunnell. The scenery continues though with less traffic.
Road Name - Direction - Miles
Start in Ormond Beach at the Intersection of A1A and E Granada Blvd
A 1A/Ocean Shore Blvd - North - 8.8 Miles
High Bridge Road - Left (West) - 2.0 Miles
Walter Boardman Lane - Left - 1.2 Miles
Old Dixie Hwy - Right - 3.6 Miles
A left tum here keeps you on the official Loop route back to Ormond Beach
