That sounds like a good plan .Maybe we could cut inland a little earlier and miss more of Ft. Meyers etc.Sounds like it is finally going to get below 90 here for an extended period so I hope to get some long touring weekends in soon.I really would like to see the area around Gainesville again but I just hope it doesn't turn out as dissapointing as seeing Naples after 20 years and seeing those secluded beaches overrun with people and the whole area overrun with developement.By the way when do you expect to be back in Fl. anyway I sure could use someone to keep the mosquito's off of me lol.

Just found out next week is going to be kinda slow so I think I will take off for some kind of impromptu tour.Think I will head up towards Gainesville though I really haven't looked at a map closely yet.May then head down to the Keys if I get back soon enough .I will provide some kind of report when I get back.

Just got back Sun. from a 10 day Ft. Lauderdale to Gainesville and back tour.I took A1A from Ft.Lauderdale to Palm Beach then Rt. 1 all the way to New Smyrna Bch. where I took 44 west through Deland to 42 along the So. boundry of the Ocala Natl. Forest to Altoona where I picked up 19 north through the Ocala NF to its intersection with 40 at the center of the park which I took west to 326 which bypasses Ocala.I then picked up 27 north and decided to vear east of Gainesville by taking 301 to Hawthorne where I picked up the Hawthorne-Gainesville bike path into Gainesville.On the return I took 27 all the way down to just south of Sebring where I picked up 98 east to 70 at Ockeechobie then 441/98 south around Lake Ockeechobie to where 98 splits off again and once again took 98 until it ended at 441 west of West Palm Bch. where I took 441 the rest of the way.I had some tire troubles in the Gainesville area causing me to lose time and necessitating a high milage day 120-140 miles on Sun. to get back in time so I am definately still in a recovery mode but will try to post more detail on the trip and the route when I get a chance.

120-140 miles? Impressive. Have you figured out how to use that tent yet?
How was the weather during the trip? Roads? Did you get much shoulder space? Or have to deal with lots of traffic? What kind of scenery did you cycle through?

Peace

Dave

I'll do a trip report to answer your questions in more detail but the weather was great except the last day as I entered WPB it started raining.I camped every night I think I'm getting this stealth camping thing down but only used the tent once I think as the weather and bugs were very cooperative so I generally slept under the stars.The roads I took all had good shoulders or were wide enough with the exception of a dangerous section of the first stretch of 98 I took and a stretch of 441 entering WPB just before it starts heading south instead of east and one section of 27 around Leesburg I think was a little rough though there was adeqate room.So in general the route I took had good roads but if I did it again I would take A1A to avoid Hobe Sound,Port St.Lucie,Ft. Pierce as though the shoulders were fine the A-hole drivers Fl. has a reputation for were well represented in these areas as well as a few others Edgewater comes to mind.The scenery was generally best off 1 and 27 with the highlights being 1 north of Jupiter to Hobe Sound,1 north of Ft. Pierce to Melbourne,1 north of Titusville to Edgewater,all of 44,42,19.40.326,301,Haw.-Gville trail and 27 from Gville to Ocala and then south of Lake Wales.The first stretch of 98 was very scenic as was 441 around Lake O after Bobs Big Bass RV park to Port Myoca where the sugar cane fields then begin.By the way your friend Bob said he wanted to see you again j/k.

Glad to see you followed up with your plans despite that others (yes, me included) wimped out. Actually it wasn't a wimp thing but the result was the same.

Loved your trip report. I still lurk now and then. Now you need to get a camera so you can post pics like Dave's. The big bend area in the center of the state is so beautiful.

Happy New Year and keep on keepin on.

Glad to see you posting again.I hope you find time to do some cycling now that the weathers in the 60's and 70's.I tend to be somewhat impulsive on the trips having an idea where I want to go next but then just deciding at last minite to go when things are slow and I can take off.I actually haven't done many long rides since that trip and have been prioritizing weights but plan to start back up on some distance rides now that the holiday crazies are off the roads hopefully.I want to do a weekend trip up to Jupiter/Hobe Sound and maybe over to Indiantown/Okachobie soon maybe as soon as this weekend but we'll see how it goes.Let me know if you have any interest in a trip or another training ride as it still would be nice to organize a group for something like this.P.S. I just am not the camera type so I guess I'll just have to convince someone with one to come along.By the way the wilderness south of ONF was so beautiful I don't know if a photograph would do it justice.