Florida motorcycle rides: the best roads, rallies and seasons

• A1A, Atlantic coastThe coast road runs the whole Atlantic side. The best stretch goes from Amelia Island through St. Augustine to Flagler Beach, with the St. Johns River Ferry at Mayport linking the banks. Watch for blowing sand on the pavement and beach traffic on weekends.
• Ormond Scenic Loop and TrailA loop north of Ormond Beach on Old Dixie Highway, Highbridge Road and A1A, under deep oak canopy along the Halifax River and Bulow Creek. The classic Daytona-area ride. Watch for no shoulders and heavy traffic during rally weeks.
• Overseas Highway (US 1)The road to Key West hops the Florida Keys on a chain of bridges, including the Seven Mile Bridge, with open water on both sides. Ride it slowly and stop often. Watch for strong crosswinds on the long bridges, heavy holiday traffic, and lower speed zones through the island towns.
• Tamiami Trail (US 41)Crosses the Everglades between Miami and Naples, past Big Cypress National Preserve. Flat, straight and wild. Watch for long gaps between fuel stops, wildlife on the shoulder, and summer storms with nowhere to shelter.
• SR 40, Ocala National ForestCrosses the forest east of Ocala past Juniper Springs, through sandy pine woods with long sweepers and light traffic. Watch for deer and black bears, especially at dawn and dusk.
• Old Florida Heritage HighwayA designated scenic highway on back roads south of Gainesville through Micanopy, Cross Creek and the edge of Paynes Prairie, with oak canopy, lakes and small towns that still look like old Florida. Watch for slow farm traffic and narrow two-lane pavement.
• Tallahassee canopy roadsLeon County protects a set of canopy roads, including Old St. Augustine Road, Centerville Road and Miccosukee Road, where live oaks close overhead for miles. Short, beautiful rides right out of town. Watch for no shoulders, wet patches and leaves hiding in the shade, and cyclists.
• Big Bend Scenic Byway and US 98US 98 follows the Gulf along the Forgotten Coast through Carrabelle and Apalachicola, and the Big Bend Scenic Byway loops inland through the Apalachicola National Forest. Fishing towns, oysters and empty marsh. Watch for strong Gulf winds on bridges and sparse fuel.
• Scenic Highway 30AA slow, pretty run through the beach towns of South Walton between two ends on US 98, past Seaside, WaterColor and Rosemary Beach and the coastal dune lakes. Ride it for the scenery, not the pace. Watch for heavy pedestrian, bicycle and golf cart traffic, especially in summer.

This is a summary, not legal advice. Laws change, so check the Florida statute or the state DMV before you ride.

• Beat the afternoon stormsRide mornings in summer. The first minutes of rain lift oil off the pavement, and standing water hides potholes.
• Sand and saltCoastal roads collect sand at intersections, beach accesses and parking lot exits. Salt air is hard on chains and fasteners, so rinse the bike after a coast ride.
• Cashless tollsFlorida's Turnpike and many expressways around Orlando, Miami and Tampa are cashless. Carry a SunPass or a compatible transponder, or expect a toll bill by plate in the mail.
• Scan the shouldersAlligators sun near water, and deer, bears and armadillos cross rural roads at dawn and dusk.
• Respect the heatSummer heat index readings often top 100 degrees. Wear mesh gear, drink water at every stop, and watch for heat exhaustion during long sits in traffic.

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