PaddyO
Supercharged
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Here is a ride I am interested in doing Scenic Highway. The ride will begin just north of the Scenic Highway which runs along a ridge which goes down the middle of the state. The Scenic Highway runs along State Road 17 beginning in Haines City and ends in Frostproof. From there we will continue along State Road 17 to Sebring and then County Road 17 to Lake Placid where we will eat lunch at the Smoke Shack BBQ. We will then continue the Lake Okeechobee Park where we will be able to see the largest freshwater lake in the state of Florida. This lake is so large, it can easily be seen from space.
I had the time this past Saturday, 2/16, to preview the route. I decided the portion of the previously posted route south of Lake Placid was too slow and boring to be worth doing. Lots of straights with not much eye candy. Since we will be so close to Lake Okeechobee, I thought we could go check it out. I also discovered that we will be riding almost constantly past orange groves. The fragrance of the oranges was wonderful. Hopefully that will still be the case when we take this ride. The Scenic Highway will take us through towns that can be described as "Old Florida". Historic town centers; the old, one story travel hotels from back in the day; Spanish moss hanging from trees; and cattle farms all at a leisurely pace. If you are looking for speed, this is not the ride for you. There are some nice sweepers we will encounter, though. The Smoke Shack BBQ had some of the best BBQ I have ever eaten. It alone makes this a worthy Ride To Eat (RTE).
Where we go for dinner will depend on people from the southern part of the state. If the people from the south want to join us "northerners" for dinner, we will go a well reviewed Cuban restaurant, Havana Delights and Cafe in, Bartow. From there everyone can head to their respective destinations. If they head home before we eat, we will instead, go a little further to Lakeland. Here we will eat at Fred's Market Restaurant. This is well reviewed buffet style restaurant.
Tripps, you had mentioned getting a hotel so you would not have to go home in the dark. Lakeland has more options regarding hotels than Bartow. We would make sure you get your hotel and then people can head back to their respective homes.
We would meet up at 9:00 am at the Shell Station (10704 US-98 N, Lakeland, Florida) which is at the corner of US-98 and Rockridge Road. We would arrive at the Smoke Shack BBQ at around noon. If we eat at the Havana Delights and Cafe, we would arrive there around 4:40 pm. If we eat at Fred's Market Restaurant, we would arrive there about 5:00. Either way Tripps, we would get you to your hotel before dark.
The ride will take place on a Saturday. I will keep an eye on the weather forecast and post a date for the ride about 10 days before. Post here if you are interested in the ride once the ride date is set. This way we will know who to look for.
Here is a ride I am interested in doing Scenic Highway. The ride will begin just north of the Scenic Highway which runs along a ridge which goes down the middle of the state. The Scenic Highway runs along State Road 17 beginning in Haines City and ends in Frostproof. From there we will continue along State Road 17 to Sebring and then County Road 17 to Lake Placid where we will eat lunch at the Smoke Shack BBQ. We will then continue the Lake Okeechobee Park where we will be able to see the largest freshwater lake in the state of Florida. This lake is so large, it can easily be seen from space.
I had the time this past Saturday, 2/16, to preview the route. I decided the portion of the previously posted route south of Lake Placid was too slow and boring to be worth doing. Lots of straights with not much eye candy. Since we will be so close to Lake Okeechobee, I thought we could go check it out. I also discovered that we will be riding almost constantly past orange groves. The fragrance of the oranges was wonderful. Hopefully that will still be the case when we take this ride. The Scenic Highway will take us through towns that can be described as "Old Florida". Historic town centers; the old, one story travel hotels from back in the day; Spanish moss hanging from trees; and cattle farms all at a leisurely pace. If you are looking for speed, this is not the ride for you. There are some nice sweepers we will encounter, though. The Smoke Shack BBQ had some of the best BBQ I have ever eaten. It alone makes this a worthy Ride To Eat (RTE).
Where we go for dinner will depend on people from the southern part of the state. If the people from the south want to join us "northerners" for dinner, we will go a well reviewed Cuban restaurant, Havana Delights and Cafe in, Bartow. From there everyone can head to their respective destinations. If they head home before we eat, we will instead, go a little further to Lakeland. Here we will eat at Fred's Market Restaurant. This is well reviewed buffet style restaurant.
Tripps, you had mentioned getting a hotel so you would not have to go home in the dark. Lakeland has more options regarding hotels than Bartow. We would make sure you get your hotel and then people can head back to their respective homes.
We would meet up at 9:00 am at the Shell Station (10704 US-98 N, Lakeland, Florida) which is at the corner of US-98 and Rockridge Road. We would arrive at the Smoke Shack BBQ at around noon. If we eat at the Havana Delights and Cafe, we would arrive there around 4:40 pm. If we eat at Fred's Market Restaurant, we would arrive there about 5:00. Either way Tripps, we would get you to your hotel before dark.
The ride will take place on a Saturday. I will keep an eye on the weather forecast and post a date for the ride about 10 days before. Post here if you are interested in the ride once the ride date is set. This way we will know who to look for.
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