Michigan to Florida

[otofreq]

My wife and I would like to ride our tandem from Grand Rapids, Michigan to St. Petersburg, Florida.  We will take our time...no schedules.  If anyone has done that or some variation on that ride, we would appreciate any information you might share regarding routes, terrain, ....what the heck....anything you can think of that pertains to such a ride.
Thank you for your help.

[litespeed]

I can't help you much in the northern part of your trip except to advise that you go down through western Georgia, avoiding main highways. They often have narrow shoulders full of rumble strips. Stick to tertiary (back) roads. And avoid Alabama. Their roads are even worse - often completely shoulderless.

In Florida do as follows: Take US19 as far as Cross City then take the Nature Coast Trail to Chiefland. Get off at the RV/camping park on your left. South of Chiefland 19 is often shoulderless and congested so go east on 27 to Bronson then take 337 and 336 to Dunnellon. In Dunnellon go over the hump (railroad) on 41 and turn right into the small industrial park in Citrus Park. Behind it turn left - south - and go a short way to a dirt road on your left which parallels the RR tracks on the east side. Walk your bike 1/3 mile to the housing development. The north end of the Withlacoochee Trail is a short way to your right.

Ride the Withlacoochee Trail to Floral City then take 41 to Brooksville. Go west 6 miles on 50 to The Suncoast Parkway Trail. To get to the trailhead go past the Parkway underpass and make the first left then another left. Ride the trail to 54. Go west to 19 and go south a few congested miles to a hump in the highway just north of Tarpon Springs. This is the north end of the Pinellas Trail. Ride it 30-some miles to St. Petersburg. If you have any questions e-mail me at petewilford@aol.com

[otofreq]

litespeed:  Thank you very much .  Your information will be very helpful.

[otofreq]

Any other suggestions?  We are flexible so the route from Michigan to Florida does not have to be a straight shot.  For example, if we could make our way from Michigan over to the Atlantic coast and then to Florida that might be worth considering;  especially if we could avoid some of the east coast mountains (Oh my knees).  We welcome the advice of riders who have done this or some variation on it.

[Tourista829]

Intersect the ACO's Underground Railroad Southbound and once in Mobile, Al. pick up the Southern Tier going Eastbound. Where are you going in Florida? St. Augustine is a good place to go. Eat at Osteens the best shrimp and hush puppies. Once in St. Augustine you have two good routes. Take ACO's Atlantic Coast Route south to Key West. Or take the Florida Connector to Ft. Myers Beach and take the ferry to Key West. You won't be disappointed.

[tandem]

My wife and I rode our tandem from Dallas GA to Penna 875 miles. We stayed close to I-75 north I-40 east I-81 north so we would have access to restaurants and lodging (to old to camp 68 & 69). Rt 11 in TN had very little traffic and very wide shoulder. In VA the shoulder wasn't as wide but the traffic was light. We also stopped at a few bike shops asking for good bicycling roads going in our direction. Our trip was May 2010.

Tandem