Need Road Advice In Central-South FL- For A Cage (Sorry)

[jambie]

We'll be hauling the teardrop camper and the Husky down to the Keys in May, and I'd like to avoid I-75 from central Florida on down, so I'm wondering if anyone can tell me what U.S. 27 is like from Clermont, FL down to Palmdale-LaBelle, then down 29 to Ochopee, where we'll be camping for a night. My intent is to unload the Husky and ride the Loop Rd. while we're there.

I'm looking at that route because it's fewer miles, and I'd like to get off the interstate. I don't mind towing at 55-60 mph if there's something to see, but I also don't want to see stoplights every half mile for 200 miles...

If anyone has advice on this route, I'd appreciate it

Cheers,
Tom

[sprint_st]

The only problem with that route is there are towns, redlights, etc, but most of it is 4 lane I believe.  You may want to look at some smaller off the beaten path routes too.  I commuted between WPB and Valdosta up through the middle of FL on weekends at one time.  There is a road, 523 that parallels the Turnpike between St. Cloud and Okahumpka and other roads down to Okeechobee that I liked.  Nearly had a Bald Eagle pick me off on that road  

[RIDEMYST]

US27 is not a bad alternative but (as pointed out above) there are several small towns along the way. After you get south of Lake Placid (near SR70), US27 opens up and is posted at 65MPH. However you will be getting close to your turn onto SR29 shortly afterwards which is a country road with little traffic. Now you've got me with the "Loop Road"??? I ride this area often & I'm not quite sure what that road might be. Be glad to help you with sights to see/places to go. -JEP-

[jambie]

Loop Rd., also known as CR 94, is a south turn off US 41 east of Ochopee, FL, and is basically a very scenic (from what I've heard...) 24 mile dirt road through the Everglades that comes back out on 41 about 17 miles down the road. I've just heard it's a pretty cool ride, so I thought I'd hit it while we're down that way. Try this link:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=25.863303,+-81.100200&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=16&iwloc=addr

Cheers,
Tom

[stefrrr]

Even though you said you'd like to get off the interstate, here's my two cents...

Take 75 to the Fl. Turnpike. Take the Turnpike all the way to 95. Take 95 all the way past Miami. Arrive in the Keys.

Otherwise it's going to take you a looooooooooooooooooooooooong time.

[jambie]

Hi Stefrrr,

That'd be good advice if we were going straight to the Keys, but we're purposely going to stop for the night near Ochopee because it'll be the end of a 9-10 hour driving day, and we want to ride Loop Rd.

Cheers,
Tom

[RIDEMYST]

Okay, I know the Loop Road! I got on it once for a short distance, not good for a road bike for sure. Don't know how much time you're going to have in that area but I'd suggest going over to Shark Valley for a bicycle or tram tour. Lots of wildlife including gators. -JEP-

[bucman20]

Take 75 to S-70, it will save you a bunch of time. 27 south of 70 is woods and cow fields.

[Snowbird]

I'm looking at that route because it's fewer miles,

A few years ago, I left from the intersection of US 27 and US 192, and travelled to Key West and back.

On the way down, I took various roads and ended up way over along the west FL coast, across Alligator Alley, and on to KW. 425 miles.

On the return trip, I left KW and took the very most direct route due to weather conditions.... straight as an arrow route according to my map. The mileage back to my point of origin? 425 miles.