Just wondering if anyone has ever done or thought of doing a ride to all 67 counties? Not sure I would be up for an iron butt, however, wondered how difficult it would be to plan such a ride. Have seen that some were able to plot shortest way around the U.S. for a trip and started thinking it might be doable just around our state. Any and all input appreciated.
Jim

 

Sounds like a fun idea. I rode 1600 miles in Florida a couple weeks ago but missed the Panhandle completely.

 

It would take some planning but doable.

What would the criteria be?
Just cross a county line?
Actually hit the county seat?
Get a fuel receipt anywhere in the county? (IBA style requirement)
Timeframe to complete it?

Quick look at a map and I estimate it be a 1750 mile - 2100 mile run.
(just a wild-*** guess)

 

Thinking that fuel receipt would mean 67 stops for gas - don't think that would much fun crossing a county line with photo might work- I'm sure there are other examples but county seat for Monroe county would be backtracking from Key West although it is a trip to KW and extra 100 mi doesn't make much diff if trip is already at 2000! Like I said it was just a thought may do it may not. As for time, I'm retired and like stopping to see the sights so I might take it easy-but if I get a route I'll share so that others may try for a speed record! Lol

 

With proper documentation requirements it might be possible for the IBA to agree to certify the ride. Could call it "The Florida Folly" or "The Florida Fool's Folly" or "Florida Foolishness" or "Florida Fool's Errand"...(i'm seeing a trend)

It would actually be a tough ride by their standards because finding gas stations open late at night in the pine filled counties of the panhandle and big bend area might be tough. And, 67 fuel stops at 7 minutes per stop would add 8 hours to the ride!

I tried to begin routing it last night and couldn't find a mapping program with clearly defined county lines. I'm thinking a paper map and highlighter to lay it out then a mapping program to refine it.

The next rainy weekend I may try to do it.

 

Jonesee I'd be interested in your results. I looked at a county map online and figured the southern counties would be pretty easy because there's so few of them.

I wonder if it makes more sense to go up one side of the state and down the other, zig zagging inland to get to the counties, or go from west to east and east to west?

 

If you come out to the PanHandle be glad to meet you and ride the one out my way.

Shaun

 

I'm thinking a meandering loop around the perimeter of the state, swinging interior enough to pick edges of interior counties and looking for the easy picks where you find a corner with more than 2 counties touching or converging.

For the fastest route, I think you would start in Pensacola, knock out the panhandle straight through heading east through the big bend then concentrate on the perimeter strategy for the main body of the state.

But I could be totally wrong once I actually try to route it. I will let you know.

 

I would be crazy enough to do this, but not an iron butt.

 

This sounds interesting. I would like to see the route once one has been created. I did the figure 8 iron butt in FL years ago and then did an iron butt from Kalamazoo, MI to FL as well. As Lauren said, not sure I would want to do this as an Iron butt but maybe span it across a long weekend to make the ride more enjoyable.