Touring - Florida Touring

OK as there's zero interest in randoneuring or snowy midwest touring lets see if we can generate some discussion on sunny Florida touring where its currently a brisk 76 degrees.I'm not sure I actually want to organize a tour as I think i actually prefer to tour solo but still I find it motivating to discuss plans,ideas etc. with those that might potentialy have an interest in touring in the state.The northcentral part of the state is ideal this time of year and there are some central interior areas i have toured before that i would like to get back to with more time to explore the backroads etc.Also the Keys are always nice and this would be the ideal weather conditions though the tourist season is beginning.Anyone have any thoughts,plans or comments,questions etc.Come on anything but more gear discussion lol.

where i live in Florida the biking can be horrible- no bike lanes or shoulders for that matter. stay off the major east-west routes and for north-south try route AIA. the trip to the keys on route 1 can be horrifying- good luck!

Sounds to me like you need to learn to ride on the road with traffic.I have toured all over the state including the keys and never once been "horrified".You are correct though on the east-west routes across the state as you have to choose them wisely as many are narrow shoulderless two lane roads with loads of high speed truck traffic.However with a little due dilegence ridable routes can be found across the state.

there is always an ad in Adventure Cycling for Polk County Florida. It is supposingly quiet and unspoiled with rolling hills, nice roads, and I 'm sure the rednecks wave a greeting instead of flicking thier cigarette butts at you. anyhow they have a webpage but it doesn't tell you much supposingly they will send you a guide if you email or write http://www.centralfloridasports.com/content/default6.asp

The section of Polk Co. south of Rt 60 is the start of one of my two favorite areas to tour in florida .The first would be the southern Polk /Highlands/Hardee/Desoto Counties area.In Polk I would avoid the rt 60 corridor as its one of those east-west roads we discussed above with the added benefit of construction in various locations according to reports i've read.I would also avoid the I-4 corridor where most of the cities are.Rt 27 is ridable (with wide shoulder )to get you to the remote backroads in the areas I mentioned.I have not spent enough time on the backroads in this region but it on my short list of things to do.For organized riders they have events in the Sebring area of Highland Co.
My other favorite area would be the Gainesville/Ocala/Live Oak region which would be in the north/central Florida area.Again I have toured up to this area but did not have enough time to fully explore the region.And I believe they have an organized ride in the Live Oak area.
In Florida the "rednecks" are known as "crackers" and while the vast majority of people you'll encounter in central rural Florida are easygoing and friendly you will run into an occasional bored,hateful ,intolerant type as with any southern rural area.They are best just ignored .