Charleston SC to Jacksonville FL?

[PeterW]

Hi!

I live in Charleston, SC, and although I ride here a lot, I need some help with a route to Jacksonville.

Is the Atlantic Coast map 6 (Statesboro to St. Augustine) a decent ride?  I ask because some many of our coastal rides are not good.  The AV AC map 6 detours the coast and circles west, so I'm hopeful.

Any experiences/opinions would be helpful.

THANKS!  

Peter Wilborn
Charleston, SC

[litespeed]

I went up the coast 5 years ago. Between Jacksonville and Charleston I just followed US17 except for between Hardeeville SC and Gardens Corner where I cut down through Beaufort. Between Gardens Corner and Parkers Ferry 17 was pretty hair raising with heavy traffic and no shoulders although they were working on the highway. It might be better now. If not you might want to cut up to Waterboro.
Where 17 parallels the interstate it is generally bike friendly without too much traffic.
At one spot in this stretch I rode the shoulder of the interstate for about 3 miles to avoid a detour but I can't remember where it was. I got away with it.

[andrew]

The State of Georgia has mapped out several statewide bicycle routes, one is a coastal N/S route from SC to FL mostly on US 17. Unfortunately it's a 2002 edition due for an update this summer. You can order a copy at: http://www.dot.state.ga.us/dot/plan-prog/planning/projects/bicycle/maps/index.shtml

I haven't ridden it, in fact I'm half-way thinking of riding from JAX to NC primarily to visit cities along the coast and I also would appreciate any route suggestions, so I'll be  watching the replies you get. Good luck.