Southeast - Help need safe route in fl

Hi

Looking for a safe route from St. Agustine, FL to The Villages, FL. Busy roads are not a problem. Does anyone know if these roads are problematic: FL 207, US 17, FL 20, FL 19, CR 314, CR 464, FL 25.

Thank you

I see no one has responded to your post and maybe too late. I find it hard to ride safely in FL. The cars drive too fast and too close. I know US 1 is really bad. I just rode it for 3 hours a week ago and I didn't feel safe at all. I can't comment on the other roads you mentioned. Sorry to not give you more info.

pooksik, there are plenty of rails to trails paths that are 30+ miles long which have no cars on them.

Thanks for the information. I checked the rails to trails website. Nearest trail to my house is Little Econ Greenway which is 8 miles long. I would have to drive an hour one way just to get there. I found a route near my residence which I do almost everyday and it is fairly safe.

Hi

Looking for a safe route from St. Agustine, FL to The Villages, FL. Busy roads are not a problem. Does anyone know if these roads are problematic: FL 207, US 17, FL 20, FL 19, CR 314, CR 464, FL 25.

Thank you

Hello, I'm not real sure where The Villages are... but I have ridden some of the roads you have asked about.
FL 207 from I-95 to Palatka is nice ride with pretty new roads and bike lane.
US 17 .. Going north from Palatka has a bike lane on the side. I used to ride from Palatka to Greencove Springs sometimes but the pavement was starting to get a bit rough. That was a few years ago though.... they may have repaved it by now not sure. I've only ridden south from Palatka on 17 a few times mostly to the Dunns Creek bridge.
FL 20.... From Palatka west to Hollister its a pretty nice ride with newish pavement and a bike lane. But from Hollister through Interlachen there is Lots of road work right now.. And after the road work its just a 2 lane highway with NO bike lane and lots of Log & and dump trucks, until you get to Hawthorne (about 15 miles from Interlachen). From Hawthorne to Gainesville its a pretty nice ride 4 lane divided highway with bike lane. Or you could take the Gainesville Hawthorne trail to G.ville.... Scenic paved trail with no traffic to worry about.
FL 19 ... I ride south on 19 a lot from Palatka. Its a really nice ride to the barge canal bridge. There is quite a bit of traffic and a lot of trucks but its a pretty good ride with bike a lane and good pavement. I really dont like riding over the bridge.. there is NO bike lane (bike lane resumes after the bridge though). I usually turn into the Florida trails office road and take a break there, picnic tables, rest rooms water... (SHADE) lol. Its my turn around point....

Anyway... hope this helps ....

I shall defer to zzOtherlandzz's obvious specific knowledge from St Augustine heading South. The Villages is just off I75 BEFORE the road splits at the Florida Turnpike. It is located on SR44 East of I75. Use google maps and search "The Villages" Wildwood FL. If you do manage to arrive in one piece and you would like to meet some great Cycling Club guys in Inverness (heading West on SR44)

www.citruscycling.org (http://www.citruscycling.org) ... or you can google "Citrus Cycling Club" and we will be at top of page.

Citrus County is a great place to ride and to stay. We have a paved 45 mile Trail which is closed to motor traffic and the excellent Central Motel, Inverness is very "cyclist friendly" ... and it's right on the Trail ...

Feel free to send me a PM if you need to know more.

I shall defer to zzOtherlandzz's obvious specific knowledge from St Augustine heading South. The Villages is just off I75 BEFORE the road splits at the Florida Turnpike. It is located on SR44 East of I75. Use google maps and search "The Villages" Wildwood FL. If you do manage to arrive in one piece and you would like to meet some great Cycling Club guys in Inverness (heading West on SR44)

www.citruscycling.org (http://www.citruscycling.org) ... or you can google "Citrus Cycling Club" and we will be at top of page.

Citrus County is a great place to ride and to stay. We have a paved 45 mile Trail which is closed to motor traffic and the excellent Central Motel, Inverness is very "cyclist friendly" ... and it's right on the Trail ...

Feel free to send me a PM if you need to know more.

I have ridden northern 10 miles of that Inverness trail, very cool trail. I had plans a couple of years ago to camp out someplace near the middle of the trail for a couple of days and just ride the trail and relax. Trying to get back into riding more and maybe makes plans again...

Ohhh 301 all the way down to the northern part of Ocala isn't to bad to ride, lots of traffic, the bike lane is pretty wide with nice pavement most of the way.

Please make a diary date for July 18. The Citrus Cycling Club is organizing a major Ride to benefit the Boys and Girls Club. Venue is the Withlacooche Trail! For details, and registrations, please go to:
http://www.citruscycling.org