2010 Florida Tour Help

[dohaco]

   This spring I intend to trek from Milton Fl to Leesburg Fl, and return. Averaging 45-60 miles a day, camping and occasional motel. I need help from anyone with local knowledge. Outbound route would be Milton> Perry> Dunnellon> Leesburg.  Return would go through Ocala National Forest and join the ACA Southern Tier Route near Citra.  Outbound  to Perry,  I would connect to either Hwy 20 or Hwy 98 near FtWalton. Perry to Dunnellon would be via Steinhatchee and Manatee Springs State Park. 
   So far, I think that only low to moderate traffic is probable; however Dunnellon to Leesburg is likely problematic. (My actual destination is east of Leesburg, south of Lisbon.)  Should I proceed from Dunnellon to Inverness, go east on Hwy 44 thru Leesburg(city) to Destination. Or alternatively, Dunnellon> Hwy 484> Hwy 42> Hwy 452> Lisbon> Destination?
   Return Lisbon> Hwy 452> east on Hwy 42 to Altoona> Hwy 19, Ocala National Forest> Citra> ACAST to Milton. I would appreciate any advice/thoughts, particurarly regarding interesting stops, camp sites, traffic, etc.

[tonythomson]

   Try this out - what I do is go to Google maps, find directions for walking and generally get a pretty quiet route - which you can modify after checking it out on Google Earth

Dunnellon, FL
USA

1.   Head east on Co Rd 484/E Pennsylvania Ave toward River View
Continue to follow Co Rd 484
   
10.4 mi
2.   Slight right at 80th Ave Rd/Co Rd 484      
0.3 mi
3.   Continue straight to stay on 80th Ave Rd/Co Rd 484
Continue to follow Co Rd 484
   
14.6 mi
4.   Turn right at SE 47th Ave      
180 ft
5.   Turn left at SE 135th St      
3.1 mi
6.   Turn right at FL-500 W/US-27 N/US-441 N      
16.5 mi
7.   Turn left at North Blvd W      
0.7 mi
8.   Turn right at Lee St      
0.5 mi
9.   Turn left at W Main St      
0.1 mi
10.   Turn right at S 6th St      
108 ft
   
Leesburg, FL
USA

[dohaco]

Thanks tony. I've been toying with googlemaps today after reading your reply, including the traffic thing.  I'm hoping someone  local will reply. Someone riding those roads.

[Tourista829]

The new Google Bicycling Maps are pretty good and even list some trails. I have used it and although it has a few quirks, it took me on the least traveled roads.

[nick.mccann]

   This spring I intend to trek from Milton Fl to Leesburg Fl, and return. Averaging 45-60 miles a day, camping and occasional motel. I need help from anyone with local knowledge. Outbound route would be Milton> Perry> Dunnellon> Leesburg.  Return would go through Ocala National Forest and join the ACA Southern Tier Route near Citra.  Outbound  to Perry,  I would connect to either Hwy 20 or Hwy 98 near FtWalton. Perry to Dunnellon would be via Steinhatchee and Manatee Springs State Park. 
   So far, I think that only low to moderate traffic is probable; however Dunnellon to Leesburg is likely problematic. (My actual destination is east of Leesburg, south of Lisbon.)  Should I proceed from Dunnellon to Inverness, go east on Hwy 44 thru Leesburg(city) to Destination. Or alternatively, Dunnellon> Hwy 484> Hwy 42> Hwy 452> Lisbon> Destination?
   Return Lisbon> Hwy 452> east on Hwy 42 to Altoona> Hwy 19, Ocala National Forest> Citra> ACAST to Milton. I would appreciate any advice/thoughts, particurarly regarding interesting stops, camp sites, traffic, etc.

I live in Leesburg. Why would you ever bike here? lol