Sumter County Loop

Central Florida winters! The air feels different. It has a quality to it; a coolness and crispness that you haven’t felt for awhile. Mornings especially! It’s in the stillness, before the sun has time to reach the high places.

The big bike sitting in the garage is whispering to me like a little friend from elementary school, “Leave your list of chores and come out to play.” The ideas of where to head dance around in my thoughts as I slip on my boots, check for a bit of cash, and fill a small cooler with water.

Throwing my leg over the bike and feeling that initial weight as I bring her up off her kickstand brings a connection, a smile to my mind if not my face. I’m ready to be swept away to an adventure, to the sights that are the gifts just for me today. I release the clutch slowly and roll on the throttle. The combining recipe of air, power, and anticipation come together in a mix that is intoxicating as I move down my driveway. It’s a feeling that is addictive.

In no time I’m heading down a country road. Morning smells seem more pungent. The day is still new, and not many are up and about. I have the road to myself. Around a bend a flock of wild turkey peck at an early morning breakfast. A sentry puffs up and meets me at the road’s edge as I move by. They don’t plan on sharing their meager breakfast with a stranger. The bike and I move through the countryside, past fields of cabbage and small houses with pickup trucks sitting out front.

I decide to head west of Orlando and jump on Lake County’s 448. It takes me past Ralph & Jane’s Kountry Kitchen at Lake Jem, a favorite breakfast place for bikers serving good food at reasonable prices. I head south on US Hwy 19 which takes me over beautiful Little Lake Harris. It’s hard to keep my eyes on the road for wanting to look right and left at sailboats and sun diamonds sparkling over the water. At the end of the low bridge I turn onto CR48W and into Yalaha past the bakery and Pumpkin Corners. I keep going straight onto CR470 and into Okahumpka. The long, straight Florida roadway of CR470W gives me the time to sit back and enjoy the countryside; acres and acres of pasture dotted with cattle. The morning sun is on my back and the morning breeze on my face. CR470 ends in Sumterville where I head south to catch CR471S. This road, just like CR470, is flat and straight across Florida’s backcountry. Fields keep me company until I reach the small community of Webster. Webster is noted for having a motorcycle swap meet the first Sunday of each month, but the town this week is quiet and absolutely charming. A good restaurant, The Hayseed, sits at the outskirts of Webster across from the fairgounds. This marks the turning around point for me. After a quick bite of a down-home meal I ride back up the road to Bevilles Corners and turn right onto CR48E which winds through Center Hill and brings me back to Okahumpa and into Yalaha. What a great circle to see some of Florida’s backcountry! (The routes I took: 448W – 19S – 48W – 470W – 471S – 48E – 19N – 448E)

Pulling into my driveway four hours later with 115 flower-sniffing miles under my belt I have a feeling of contentment. What a great morning ride! Flat, straight, no traffic, beautiful views of pasture and sky, wonderful roads, the smells and sights of backcountry Florida! But, you know, I never would have done this without this big bike right here.

Gosh, I love this wing!

Carebear

 

 

(click picture to enlarge)