Binion Harris Howey

Here's a nice ride around Lake Apopka. 

Leaving Winter Garden, stay on Plant Street out to Ocoee-Apopka Rd, go left (North).  You'll be traveling around the east side of Lake Apopka, the old way...which is to say the original route before SR429 bisected the area.  Watch for a big nursery on your left and you'll see Binion Rd CR 437.  Turn left (west) onto Binion Rd, you'll find it has some great curves and hugs the shore line for a little while. Watch for Magnolia Park for a nice shade spot...and around the lake they have just opened a new bicycling / hiking trail...nice walk for the cooler days ahead...

Binion eventually runs into 441 up behind the old Cocoa-Cola plant right under the SR429 overpass.  Turn left (north) on 441 and head towards Zellwood.  Coming into Zellwood, watch for cr48 aka Duda Rd.  If you miss Duda Rd, a bit further up is Sadler, it's a little more scenic and takes you to same spot.  Go left (west) and it will come to a full stop sign where you go right and head through Lake Jem and swing towards Tavares at CR 561.  Cross over to the SR19 intersection.

Here's a great spot for food and beverage and great lakeside setting - Lake Harris Hideaway.  You turn right and go a short distance up to pick up Lane Park Rd, the place is just in a little ways, nestled on the shore among the tall trees, it's great!

Head down SR19 across the lake into Howey In The Hills, eventually picking up cr455, a favorite route back through Ferndale and Monteverde.  You could stay straight on SR 19 and hit US 27 or later on SR 50 as well, all are great rides.

Cherry Lake Rd - 478

Another hidden treat in the area.  A great little road to add to your list for those Lake County >  Clermont, Minneola, Groveland loops.

CR478 touches SR19 on the west, north of Groveland, and dances to east through some outstanding nurseries, open hills, curves and lakes on it's way to meet up with US 27 in Minneola.  CR478 is named Cherry Lake Rd, and going west to east, watch for Wilson Lake PKWY breaking off to the left (north).  That rides up through some of the highest elevations in the area and gives some nice views on the high ground.  If you don't run on Wilson Lake and stay straight on Cherry Lake towards US 27 and Minneola, watch for East Apshawa Rd,and it will dog-leg you to US 27 just south of the Lakeridge Winery.  Lake Wilson Rd comes out on US 27 just north of the winery. 

Great, now I'm thirsty for wine...have a good ride!

Moss Bluff And Duck's Dam Diner

Had seen a recent Facebook post about a small local business...and the biker in me had to see...

Awesome ride up into the Ocala National Forest.  Found the locks on the Ocklawaha River and found the Dam Diner as well!

The dam and lock at Moss Bluff presents nice shaded picnic areas on both banks of the river.  The Ocklawaha River is beautiful.  Moss Bluff Lock In Ocala National

My culinary timing was off today, so all I had was coffee and a simple egg sandwich, it was really good.  The diners around me seemed to really enjoy the breakfast potatoes, so I gotta come back and give them a full trial soon!  Facebook page Dam Diner 
            Aug 01 2014 update -  did the ride again, timed it for breakfast...did the three eggs, sausage, bacon, home fries...really good.  Just great, quick, attentive and pleasant service too.  Gonna be back again and again I'm sure...

On the way back south, just a little west of the path shown on the map here...is the scene of the big FBI shootout with Ma Barker.  It's private property, so no tresspassing, but you can see the place clearly from the road.  Here's an article:  Ma Barker Shootout    The property is between the two points where CR 464 intersects on the top of Lake Weir with route 25.


Have fun, watch out for bears crossing the road....

 The Barker Place......

History Just Around The Corner

Time for a short ride, bad weather sliding in, let's see...what can I do for just the small window open today...

In honor of it being Independence Day, first stop, the local White House museum attraction, The President's Hall Of Fame.  http://www.thepresidentshalloffame.com/  Only had time for a quick photo op with Abe and the boys, and once around the gift shop to get a small taste.  Overheard the lady giving a paid tour, and got the sense that she was really into the subject matter, quite energetic and enthusiastic and from what I overheard, I'd like to go back and pay for the full monty...er, Clinton, er...Reagan...you know what I mean.

Nestled in the parking lot of the world-famous Clermont Citrus Tower, this attraction has been in business for many a congressional session.  

Next up, roll north on US 27 a short sprint and go west on cr561 for a few short miles, into the backside of Clermont, around the big lake, sneak up on downtown from the water side.  Discovered a cool little converted rail stop to museum operation and was sad they were closed on the holiday..  Clermont Historic Village

There is a WWII museum there too sharing the same parking lot.  Some historical buildings and a wonderful spot by the big lake, it looked just the place to spend a cool fall afternoon...
.http://clermontvillage.org/quonset

 

Then off to the back roads NW of Disney property, Marsh Road to some great little small roads off Avalon Rd.    Don't underestimate the power of just putzing about, you never know what overlooked treats you may find in your own backyard!