This loop starts in Eustis and is an 87 mile run through some beautiful scenery. Start out on US19 in Eustis, break northwest on CR452, just north of downtime Eustis proper. The road has a dedicated turn lane and CR452 is marked for the Lake County Fairgrounds that way. Pass the fairgrounds and stay on the road. It will open up to some wonderful highland vistas before long. Once it dead ends into CR42, go west and watch for the next intersection. SE182nd Ave Rd has an old convenience store at the intersection, go right.
Eventually, you'll come out to 314A (SE95th), go left again. This intersection has a single gas pump, unleaded only, it'll do in a pinch, or wait a few miles to one more fuel chance if you need it. Other than these two spots...
Once on 314A, watch for 464C on the left, go left and immediately cross the wild Oclawaha River at Moss Bluff. There is a lock here and a wonderful family diner operation, Duck's Dam Diner. Always a great breakfast or lunch, highly recommended.
After you have had a great breakfast at Duck's Dam Diner, go back over the river to 314A and go left. Stay on this and the second spot for fuel is very close. Later, crossing SR40, there is more gas at a Kangaroo gas station. Stay on 314A all the way up to 314. This stretch of 314A between Moss Bluff and SR40 is really pretty, nicely paved, fast sweepers, changes in elevation, its great.
314A ends at 314, go east towards Salt Springs, coming into US19 and back south to Eustis down the main route of the forest. The Veterans Memorial at the VFW center in Salt Springs is pretty cool. US19 is designated the Florida Black Bear Scenic Highway. The ranger station south of SR40, on US19 sometimes is open, and has some of the history of area. Good stop when it's open. Love the photograpgh of the old guy hunting via sidecar, classic.
There was an article published in Rider Magazine a few years back, about other riding routes and places in the Ocala National Forest, see attached link.
http://ridermagazine.com/2011/07/19/florida-black-bear-scenic-byway-motorcycle-ride/
Here's a link to a previous post about Moss Bluff and Duck's Dam Diner:
http://www.roadtipsfromtrusttheroad.blogspot.com/2014/07/dining-at-moss-bluff.html
The Fort Gates Ferry operates in the forest also, very cool.
http://roadtipsfromtrusttheroad.blogspot.com/2010/07/take-river-ride-fort-gates-ferry.html
