Messages

1.  2
2.  Yes
3.  90 miles round trip
4.  Probably not a car. However, I may have downsized to a smaller truck if I did not pull ATV's and
     boats.
5.  $100

GrizzlyBear:
Thanks for your continued diplomacy and good efforts toward a successful recreational trail ATV venture in the Ocala National Forest.

We need to understand that this is a very difficult situation and we need to make the best out of it we can..  The entire ATV community is under attack from loss of use of public and private lands. Private land owners in and around the forest can no longer use their ATV for general transportation around the area.  Those who hunt on ATV's can no longer use their ATV's in a functional manner, either to and from hunting locations or as an active component of dog hunting. Campers, bird watchers and other outdoor recreational enthusiests can no longer travel in the forest by means of ATV and in many cases other OHV's have been impacted as well. It is clear that the issue is not damage done to the forest ecology by proper use of the ATV for transportation purposes, because we all know that a four wheel drive truck or jeep or other OHV is much heavier, wider, and burns more fossil fuel and carries into the forest more discardable trash than an atv and both used properly, the truck has more impact on the ecology.  We can see that as a result of decades of successful use of OHV's in the forest that the impact of proper use is minimal and can successfully coexist with other forest use and ecology. These vehicles have been successfully used in the forest for decades both on and off numbered roads.

A confined recreational trail system with no access to most of the forest does not answer many of these issues, however does provide a continuing opportunity for the occasional recreational ATV rider.

Mulchman:

I would suggest from Winter Haven, either take 33 to 19 in groveland, or 27 to 19 and when on HWY 19 proceed north through the Ocala National Forest to the northern most end ( after you pass through the Salt Springs community) about 3 miles on your left  you will see forest road 75.  75 will take you to Lake Delancy campgrounds and trail head area.   I hope this is some help

The Lake Delancy capmground is located about half way between Palatka and Salt Springs just off hwy 19.  I believe the dirt road you turn off hwy 19 on is either forest road 77 or 75.  Maybe someone can provide more detail on the road.

JR

Toomey,
Things they are a changin.  Some for the better and some some not so good.  The latest information is that there is a new marked trail system in a portion of the old Lake Delancy riding area.  Many of the old trails are now closed, but the marked trails are adaquate for some good riding.  Camping is available at Delancy West campground with riding in and out. Lake Delancy is a premitive camp. 

Most of the riding areas around Big Scrub seem to be closed to ATV's now.  There are plans for a future phase of teh marked trail system in that area but not yet.

It is prime hunting season in the Ocala National Forest and ATV riding and Deer Hunting dont mix well.  There are probably less hunters in the Delancy area.  Many hunters ( Not all )hunt in the early morning hours and late afternoon hours consider riding in the middle of teh day for less chance of conflict.

Have fun.

It appears that the green stickers can only be issued to titled OHV's.  There is a $37.25 title fee.  A Tax Collecter Branch Fee and other misc fees can also be charged.

It appears from the Division of Motor Vehicles document and the Tax Collectors office that Vehicles purchased before 7/01/02 are treated diferently from those purchased after that date.  Vehicles not already titled must be titled at $37.25 before being stickered. It will be interesting to see if any of these new Taxes are ever used to support OHV riding area purchase and improvement as intended.

Any one have plans to ride the new trail system on Labor Day Monday.  We are thinking about heading over with a group of 4 to 6 quads and exploring some more of the new trails.  Will have some young riders with us mostly utilities, probably a slower trail ride.

I had an opportunity, with a group of eight quads, to ride the longleaf trail, the delancy loops, and part of the Hog Valley trail on Sunday.  While it was very warm, the ride was enjoyable and much progress has been made on the trail system.  There are still some issues, but for the most part, this makes the trails more user friendly for riders less familiar with the forest.

We did however come upon a group of riders who were totally lost and going in the wrong direction trying to get back to Rodman.  We were able to turn them around and direct them back using the trail system.

Excellent presentation maps of the trail system.  Thanks for your good work

How about Saturday May 27th  of Memorial Day Weekend.  We would need some ride leaders who know Eureka ands or Rodman well.

Semper Fidelis  means     " Always Faithful "  and is the motto of the United States Marine Core

Indianjoe:  For some really great memories, you need to break out a copy of the original " On Any Sunday" Movie.  Really great movies.  It was a small international fraternity of off road motorcycle riders.  Malcome Smith of enduro fame, Gary Bailey and others of motocross fame.  A lot of the motocross riders of today are their kids and their kids kids.  I was blessed to ride with a lot of very famous great riders.

Yes I also remeber the Alligator taking folks into the camps of the Hells Angels, Outlaws and other gangs who used to camp in the Crystal Lake area of Daytona for motorcycle week.

Indianjoe:  How well I can relate.  In the early 70's I rode Puch, Penton enduro bilkes all over Florida.  Raced the Alligator Enduro and the Croom Enduro every year as well as hundreds of hours on Ocala.  Raced Ossa 175 and 250 Stelleto, Husqavarna 250 and 400 and CZ 125 and 250 in Motocross at the old Orlando Sports Stadium track, Gatorback in Gainesville and New Smyrna speedway as well as many others.  Rode some early three weelers.  Kinda got out of the sport for some years continuing to do off road with jeeps and 4 wheel drive trucks.  got back into ATVs as my kids grew up starting about 10 years ago and have been riding again since.

Sound like a great idea.  My son will turn 5 in November and loves to ride.  Little cooler temperatures and before gun seeson sounds smart.   
Don

A question related to the group ride.

Two weeks ago, I spoke with an Ocala National Forest Ranger, who said that the one way trail system would go into effect in October.  Has anyone heard anything more official on this.  I know that many of the trails are marked and some others marked closed.  He also said that any trail not marked open to ride is closed.  How will this effect the ride.

Thanks  Don

USA450R  Directions From Jax

Go to Greencove Springs and take HWY 17 south into Palatka.  Take HWY 19 south from Palatka into the Ocala National Forest.  As you come into Salt Springs take 316 west toward FT. Mccoy.  When you see the big bridge ahead look for N. E 160th street on the right ( Last road before bridge ) Turn righ ton 160th for about 1/2 mile look for group oarkin along road on left.  Good Luck see you there.  

JJamesbar and the Grizz are both excellent leaders in the forest.  Having had the pleasure of following each of then in different rides.  I hope they are both there and willing to lend their knowelege of the area as well as ATVing to the ride.  Lookinf forward   Don

Mamma Grizz  Add 2 utes for JR to the ride please.

Is there somewhere to ride in Blanding?

We had a great time also.  Flblaster and Girlieblazer and little girlie-eton thanks for your hospitality.  Lori, Jonathan and I had a great time.  Nice to meet Hollywood and GF.

Add our family to the prayer chain.  

flblaster, girlieblazer, girlieton,
we are still waiting to see if I am on call at woek that weekend.  We are planning to go if I am not on call.  Would be fun for the kids to ride together.  We need to pick another day to ride anyway.

  This ride was a remarkable success.  For an event of this size, where everyone is totally independant, the communication, coordination from those who chose to lead and the willingness to follow from those who chose to follow was remarkable.  
   There can certainly be improvements in future group selection by speed, age, family, class of quad etc.  Nothing will ever work for everyone.  To little mud, to much mud, to many whoops, to few, to long of a ride to short.  Lets look at the positives and build from there.  This ride was at least 95% positives.  ( WOW ).

Once again, I say congratulations to all involved.  Special thanks to the planners and organizers of the ride, those who maintain and coordinate this website, the ride group leaders, special thanks to those who worked with law enforcement and the rangers, planned and coordinate parking, those who developed lists of people, where to stay, contacted the 88 store, designed and coordinated the shirts, helped others on the ride, towed in riders, helped lost riders and on and on.

I hope everyone will share some stories from Rodman IV.

First, Everyone I saw seemed to be on their best behavior.  We should have left a good impression on the Rangers and FHP.

My son and I had a great time.  Went on most of the trail ride and would like to say a special thanks to Grizz, Asphalt dragon, sk8rdude and thie group for a great job of tour guiding.

The groups in the pit seemed to have a good time also.

Great job to all those who worked so hard to make this happen

Thank you