Ride Type: 
Distance/Length: 
50 miles
Highway: 
NE Alachua County

Fill up at the gas station at NE 53rd Av and NE SR 24 (Waldo Rd). From there head north on CR 225 (2-4 lanes). 225 is a very well-maintained road and is dead straight for several miles.

You will pass the Gainesville Raceway to your right, home of the NHRA Gatornationals. Continue on 225 as it curves around to the east. There are several sweeping turns here where you can really get on it (especially you sportbike riders). When you reach CR 1475 (2 lanes)take a right and head south. This road isn't the best surface but it is safe. It curves into the small town of Waldo, where you will continue straight across SR 24 (4 lanes, passing the Shell station on your right) until you hit US 301 (4 lanes, well-paved). Take a right headed south of 301 for a couple miles until you see a sign for 1469/1471. Take a left there and continue straight (the right fork) on 1469. Follow 1469 (2 lanes, well-paved) through Ellenton until you hit SR 26 (2 lanes). Continue past SR 26 south on 1469. This section of road is pretty decent with a mix of curves and straight-aways. When you hit CR 219A (2 lanes, well-paved), take a right and follow that to CR 1474. Take a right headed west on 1474 (2 lanes, not the best surface) and follow that back to US 301. Continue on 1474 past 301 towards Windsor.

When you hit CR 234 (2 lanes, not the best surface) you have two options. You can take a right headed north, coming to SR 26. Take a left headed west on SR 26 until you get to the SR 26/SR 222 split. Continue straight on 222 (2 lanes, well paved) and that winds into Gainesville. When you reach the stop light, you can continue straight into Gainesville or just head north on NE Waldo Rd and you will arrive at your starting point on the left. The other option coming into Windsor at CR 234 is to take a left there headed south. That will bring you out on SR 20 (4 lanes). Take a right headed west on 20. This road is very wide and well-paved. It is mostly straight. Follow SR 20 several miles until you curve to the right. You will see Earl Powers Park on the right. You can rest there in the parking lot overlooking the lake if you want. Continue on 20 past the park until you see 329B (2 lanes, not the best surface, aka Lakeshore Dr) on your right. Take this north. This road winds around the edge of the lake and is quite scenic. It is not the longest stretch of road but it is worth riding Watch out for the 90 degree turn in the middle (there are signs for it). It usually has some loose sand on it. When you reach the end of 329B you will hit SR 26.

From there you have two options. You can turn left headed west into Gainesville, or if you want to extend your ride a little you can turn right headed NE. If you take the right, you will wind around and come to a flashing signal in a couple miles. Take a left here and take that road to SR 222. Then take the left westbound into Gainesville.

Take this ride near sunset, I'd say starting 45-60 minutes prior. It is pretty, there is little traffic and nobody should bother you. This route is safe and recommended for all skill levels. This ride varies in time depending on how you ride. It can probably be completed in 45-60 minutes. I tolerated it on a sportbike no problem, with a passenger.

Contact: 
James

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