Saint Petersburg Area riders

Meet in Polk City, take 33 north to 50 in Groveland, left on 50, rt on SR19 up to Tavares, rt on 441 to SR19, north to 42, east on 42 into Deland, left on US17 to Barberville, left on 40. Stop in Astor on the St. John's River at Blackwater Inn for lunch. Continue on 40 west, left on CR 445A, left on CR 445, maybe stop at Alexander Springs, time permitting. Continue SW on 445 to SR 19, south to 42, west to 301, south to where ever people want to break off and head to respective homes. Total route is about 220 miles.

Nothing set in stone. Either Sat. or Sun is fine with me. Meet up time should be around 8:30 for an early afternoon return.

What say you all?

It's a ride. I have some suggestions on a less travelled (ie no city), more twisty route. And a different destination JC lobster pot. Whatya say?

Sunday is looking like the best weather day at the moment.

Hola, my fellow 2 wheelers!! Pretty new to the forum, pretty new to riding as well.. Had a Kawasaki Versys first for about 6 months, then upgraded to my current 1200GSW. Been up to NC on 4 separate trips so far to putz around on Cherahola, Blue Ridge pkwy, Blood Mountain, and a bunch of other surrounding areas (of course the Dragon)

Found this thread while looking for some local riders.. I have ZERO off road experience unless you consider those LONG gravel twisty roads that they call driveways at any of the cabins we've rented up in NC! WTF, does anyone believe in paved driveways up there!?!?

Would love to join on some of your rides, considering no off road experience is needed..sounds like some detailed routes layer out on some of these posts!

Are you guys doing pancakes with the EuroCycle guys this weekend?? I think someone mentioned it was Sunday but I thought it was Saturday??

As I said, nothing written in stone....if you want to take a different route, does meeting in Polk City make sense? I've eaten at JC's before...it's ok.

Anyone else interested in going?

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Welcome rolandinit! I ride a lot in NE Ga., in fact have friends/relatives in the Blairsville area.

Most of the rides we have done down here have been street rides, on country roads. But we have only had 2 rides. Seems hard to get everyone on the same page. Your GS would fit in fine. This tentative ride for this Sunday will be street. You are welcome to join us.

Motodutch mentioned the pancake breakfast at EuroCycles was Sunday. I don't really know. Maybe he will chime in to let you know. I don't frequent that shop at all, since my older son got much less that stellar treatment when he purchased a new Ducati from them.

OSG, thx for the welcome and the invite! I won't be along for the ride this weekend, but I'll stay tuned for any future rides!

Sorry about your son's experience at EuroCycles..both of my transactions with them went well, no pressure or anything like that. There was some wiggle room that I made out on with the used Versys, but not so much on the GS, but I think I was kind of expecting that.

Safe riding this weekend, Sunday is looking like some perfect weather!!

I prefer the country vs riding through the city! I'll put route together.

Polk City is fine with me. Want to meet for breakfast?

Great

Well, it's been about 45 years since I have been to Polk City, so have no idea of what is available there....suggest something and I'll be there.

I can go Sat. but not Sun. Polk City is good for me. I sold my XR so I will be on my K bike. If you go on Sun. no worries have a good ride see you next time.

I just checked the forecast and it doesn't look good for Sat.

Can't remember last time I was there either!

Are you comfortable on clay roads or should we stay on pavement?

I'm comfortable on clay roads, but my bike has strictly street tires. As long as it is pretty hard packed, it will be ok. I have another set of off road wheels/tires, but probably will not have time to change them over tomorrow. If it rains tomorrow like they say it is, that clay will probably be mud.

Did you guys go for a ride on Sat?

No, we were going Sunday but Sanjoh PM'd me saying he could not make it Sunday. I did ride up that way though. Great day for riding.

Back in the area. Any one want to ride?

wow, this is really a neglected thread

Hey motodutch, where you heading?

Weather is good (too bad we don't have much riding). Hit the Talladega NF a few weeks ago riding the Tenere, coming back from New Orleans - worth the detour! Nice dirt roads, hiking, etc. Smoky mountains are . . . smoked out due to fires (I was thinking of riding up there this week).

Besides that, took the 'berg to Croom in brooksville - very dry/dusty and the ATV's make it a bumpy ride (whoop forest).

If you are riding in Talladega NF up around Chehau, be careful of the center line reflectors....when they repaved that area, they raised the markers up, to the point that they can unsettle a bike if you hit them on an angle. Otherwise, it is a great area to ride. If you would like an off road route sheet leaving from Chehau Park, I have one I'd be glad to send you.


Motodutch, good to see you made it back for the winter. Sell your XRL? I'm ready to ride almost anytime.

The XR-L is history. Got the K bike. I'm going to the Coonbottom rally this week end. If anyone is interested.
https://bmwnef.org/event/rendezvous-chipola-river-coonbottom-rally/

Any rides going on around tampa?

Motodutch said: "The XR-L is history. Got the K bike. I'm going to the Coonbottom rally this week end. If anyone is interested.
https://bmwnef.org/event/rendezvous-chipola-river-coonbottom-rally/"

Can't make it that far this weekend, but am up for some riding now that the temps are cooler. I ride at least one weekend day, usually up around the Brooksville-north area. Anyone interested in that, let me know.