Hey guys,

Myself and 3 buddies are bringing our bikes down to enjoy Daytona bike week this year (we arriving on march 8th and staying until the 16th) as well as being able to ride our bikes in March. Aside from bike week, we are looking to do some fun rides, scenic stuff or rides down the coast. We are aware it is spring break and we're thinking a ride to Miami or Clearwater as well one day (to enjoy another type of scenery ) or another spring break spot that isn't too far as well.

what are some good rides? Any recommended spots you guys suggest? We are very much looking forward to this trip, more so the riding and exploring then bike week itself.

thanks in advance!

 

Ride about an hour inland, toward the center of the state. Lots of good riding on the outskirts of Palatka, Ocala, Gainesville and Leesburg. Old Florida.

 

This is one of those questions that is difficult to answer without further information.
For example are you riding from Canada to Daytona? It makes a difference because it would be a waste to repeat something you already went to see on the way down.
Are you looking for rides that might require an overnight?
Are you looking for rides that leave Daytona but return to Daytona the same day?
Do you want trips to another bar or are you into the destination?
Lets give it a try anyways...For example:
A trip from Daytona to St Augustine along the coast to tour the spanish fort and historic district in St Augustine is a very nice and is about 1.5 hours away. It has nice riding, some history when you tour fort and you can walk the historic district for half an hour.
If you liked the movie Caddy Shack, then a ride to the Murray Brothers Caddy Shack restaurant can be a fun place to eat and is about 10 miles from historic St Augustine district and is right in the golf hall of fame area...
About an hour or hour and half more north of St Augustine is Mayport Village and the St Johns river ferry..Ride along coast is nice and rather neat to cross the river by ferry and there are also a few fresh seafood places right next to the ferry on south side.
The combination above would make for a very full day from Daytona and would require departure by 8-9am with an expected return to Daytona about 8 pm.
Another ride:
An early morning sunrise (on road before 7am) ride south along the coast to Kennedy Space Center would make for a really nice trip, getting to see the sun rise while riding the coast is rather nice, then take a complete tour of complex..
Some might consider a complete tour a bit pricey (about $50 per person) but it can be rather nice if it is of interest to individual.
Then maybe ride the 20 or so miles south to Cocoa Beach for dinner and see the famous Ron Jon Surf shop that has dozens of bill boards along major expressways..the store will not change your life but at least you can cross it off the list and eat someplace nearby.
Then ride the coast home.
If you plan to ride to Clearwater then a midway point while crossing the state might be The Villages, Florida..it is a rather unusual place because it was designed by a form Disney Architect...looks like a Disney Village and everybody is on Golf Carts...there was a TGI Fridays or something like it on the main street and i think a Panera Bread across from that place...This is just a place to stop, rest maybe use the bathroom or have a drink/snack/meal.
They have two main circles and it is rather unusual to see such a nice place in the middle of nowhere.
Then continue towards Crystal River and Homosassa, Florida...
There is a dead end ride called Othello Trail that some folks like in that area.
Homosassa is a funny name but there is a bar (Monkey Bar) that has a nice view of the Monkey Island in the waterway at Homosassa. here is a link: https://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/21227
There is a state park that charges admission about 3 miles before the monkey bar that has manatees if that is of interest to you.
It also had several other animals to see..It was a 1950's style of animal attraction and can be seen easily in 1.5-2 hours.
I think it was about $10 per person and there were two ways to get in..one with a boat ride (included in ticket)..the boat ride entrance was along Suncoast BLVD.
https://www.floridastateparks.org/pa...osassa-Springs
Make sure to see the Monkey Bar, it is worth sharing an appetizer and drink for the stop to see the monkeys.
Then continue south to Clearwater.
When in Clearwater make sure to ride your bike across the Sunshine Skyway Bridge (toll)...makes for an impressive crossing on a bike if your not afraid of heights...read about the history, jumpers and ship that hit the previous one.

 

Look up 'air boat rides'....ride your bike to one of the lakes and/or river that gives tours.
When you are in the middle of nowhere, like towards Ocala....ride on roads that start with "CR", it means County Road....and can be quite scenic.
I do not know why you would want to go to Miami...

 

Thanks for the suggestions! I will look into them

Not so sure we are going to tour or sight see much, more so looking for scenic type rides while on the bikes...Thanks for that tip regarding the county roads, thats good to know!

Miami? We figured it would be a decent party lol....Looking to enjoy all of the Florida sights and scenery while riding or stopped lol

 

This is fantastic!!! Thank you!!

We are trailering our bikes down from Toronto, Ontario. Staying St. Augustine to avoid the chaos in Daytona as well as get to ride in every day that we choose to hit bike week. The rest of the trip is as I mentioned going to be dedicated to riding and exploring scenic routes, looking for cool food places or bars along the way.

We were thinking Miami or Clearwater for a night (leave in the morning and staying overnight). We are all early risers and have no issues with waking up early for rides.

I am going to look into your suggestions as there are already a couple that have caught my eye. Thanks for taking the time to type all of that, its much appreciated!

 

This just in, the Sunshine Skyway Bridge is in St. Pete, not Clearwater...

 

If you're staying in St Augustine, try the River & Sea Ride. Find 207 out of town near the Showboat Car Wash on US1, go 15 miles & turn right on to Rte 13 north along the St Johns River. Around 20 miles up that scenic road, turn right on to 16 back toward town, go 2-3 miles, then turn left on International Golf Pkwy to US1 north. Go 5-6 miles & turn right at at the big Gate Gas Station to 210 east to A1A So back to St Augustine. Plenty of places to eat along the way, especially on A1A. Good bars & restaurants in downtown St Augustine.

Have fun. Ride Safe.

 

You are correct, the bridge is about 25-30 miles south of Clearwater.
It goes over Tampa Bay and is located in St Petersburg.
Rather neat experience if someone is within proximity.

 

Expect quite a bit of traffic getting to Clearwater Beach. The whole penninsula is now one megalopolis. If you ride to Clearwater beach get there before 9:00am. After that the traffic really builds up even with the relatively new bridge. Once you reach the circle to Clearwater Beach you can go right to the Palm Pavillion and have a cold brew with a great view of the Gulf. You can also go to Rockaways just to the South of Palm Pavillion. If you go left out of the circle stay to the right to ride along the beach. It will be slow, but the scenery should be fantastic (.)(.) that time of the year. Make sure you yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. The cops will be quick to ticket you if you don't. Stop in at Frenchy's for a great grouper sandwich.

Going from Daytona to the West coast you will travel from flat, to somewhat hilly, to forested. A direct way that doesn't involve the Interstate is SR 40. You can pick it up in Ormond Beach, and ride it all of the way to Ocala. Once outside of the Daytona/ Ormond area it gets rather straight, and will take you through the Ocala National Forest. Most of it is two lanes with stretches of three lanes where you can pass. I would bail out of it before reaching Ocala, as traffic can get heavy there. There are a lot of roads in the center of the state that you can enjoy. Pick one and see where it takes you.

If you do make your way over to Homosassa the Monkey Bar is an interesting stop, but monkey island is not much bigger than a small back yard. You may want to stop in at the Freezer off of Halls River Road. Nice destination, come by bike, boat, or car. Cold cheap beer, and great fresh shrimp. Bring dollars though, cash only. Stay off of US 19 south of Spring Hill if you can. It is the straightest shot, but traffic is a pain.