New Guy from Fla.
 

Hello Everyone and thanks aerobat for the the kind welcome. I'm a 49 yo guy from central Fla. I am into road biking almost exclusively although I do have a Trek 930 hardtail that I get dirty on occasion. I have been riding a Trek 1220 with old shimano xs componets for a long time. It is running out of steam so I am building a bianchi SL Reparto Course frameset up as a everyday commuter and touring-century bike. I also have bought a CAAD 5 with Centaur from GVH Bikes. My goal for the coming year is to get my century time down to 5 hrs. We have alot of good light traffic roads for traing so I hope with dedication to my training I will get this done so I can move on to other goals. Anyway Thanks again for the welcome and look forward to learning from you all.
twilli53

Welcome to BikeForums from a former Orlando resident. :beer:

Got into cycling ('85-'89) while I lived there. Lots of good memories. Moved to Atlanta in '92.
I'm almost 58 and sure miss those FLAT roads some days. :( :)

Hi RonH,
Good to hear from a former Floridian. I am from the Sebring area about 60 miles south of orlando. The roads here will spoil you. Not only are they mostly flat they are almost all of them in great shape. Makes me very thankful to get back home from some of the rides I been on out of the area. Keep on biking man. It has improved my life imeasurably. Happy Holidays,
twilli

Hello from Ft. Lauderdale area .I recently did a tour to the Gainesville area and returned down 27 through Sebring.Thats a really nice area and I particularly enjoyed the ride from Lake Wales to Sebring.I liked that area so much as I went through I was thinking it would make a good destination for a four day long weekend type tour sometime .Out of curiosity what are some of your recommended routes around that area?

The Highlands county century is a great ride starting at Kenelworth Lodge in downtown Sebring and going north through the back roads to Avon Park. Then its upthe Frostproof -Avon Park road to lake Reedy then on up through Babson Park and into Lake Wales. It turns east and then south on Camp Mack road and the down to Boy Scout road and finally back through Blue Jordan to Lake Reddy where you follow the last 15 miles as it began back to Sebring. Lots of wooded areas and mostly lightly traveled back roads. A few Florida hills in the Babson Park and Lake Wales area.
It is being held again next Saturday the 14th and then again three times during 2003 that I know of. I will get some maps next weekend. There is another nice ride aroud Lake Istopoga(sp) that I believe is a Metric century. If you would like I could mail you some maps after I get some next weekend. After Christmas I will be able to scan them and put them on the net. Go to Florida Bicycle Association web page for more info. Hopes this helps.
twilli

I think youv'e gotten me pretty seriously lost lol.Seriously it looks like most of that route from what I can see is to the east of 27 is that correct .And that Lake Istokpoga is right off 98 the route I took to Okeechobie from just south of Sebring. A good tour might be to ride up to that lake via 70 to Lake Placid then621 around Lake I. to 98 for a return to the So. Fl. area.Is this Lake Istokpoga real scenic?Here I just got back from a tour and am planning the next.It figures lol.

. The Lake I. ride does not take in Hwy.70 so I have not been that way. I cannot remember It's exact route but will find out this weekend. I would be very careful if you use 70 as this is a dangerous road even in an auto.
The Sebring to Lake Wales century is all on the east side of 27. These are mostly low traffic roads. I will get the exact route and post it tomorrow. Sorry for the confusing directions I will try to clear it up.
twilli

We rode 70 from Arcadia to Okeechobee back in June on a tour around the state and it had a very wide shoulder except for the first few miles out of Arcadia so we had no problems with it.I was refering to 621 which the map shows going around Lake I.70 and 98 would be used to get me to and from the lake area as I would be riding up there by bike not car .

Well, you are a mite younger than many of us, but I still give you a hearty welcome. The ranks of the more mature, stable and experienced folks continue to grow.

Denver, 63 yo from Colorado.

Come climb our hills!!