You still plan on coming down to ONF on Friday? I might be able to join you.

K_Man

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2916717431697906&id=722434844459520

Anyone want to go riding, been a while for me.

K_Man

On my way home last night I saw a mobile road sign by Rays Wayside Landing the said that all recreational activities were closed in the Ocala National Forest.

Here is a list of what’s open/closed in the Florida National Forests. The short answer is he Ocala   atv trails are open but the bathrooms at the trail heads are closed.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2789867554382895&id=722434844459520

K_Man

I can go week days or weekends most of time. Let me know when you guys can make it and I’ll try to meet you.
K_Man

So far in 2020 I have been able to ride the 3 atv riding areas in the ONF and this is my take on them.
Wandering Wiregrass
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/ocala/recreation/ohv/recarea/?recid=36872&actid=93
This is my least favorite riding area. Only 17 miles of mostly dirt roads. It has a combination of washboard/whoops de do’s that make you feel like a giant bobblehead doll. It is a legal place to ride though.

Centennial OHV Trail
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/ocala/recreation/ohv/recarea/?recid=35802&actid=93
My favorite riding area. Has the washboard/whoop de do problem but not as bad as Wiregrass. I carry a chainsaw/winch on my side x side and remove the fallen trees when I come across them. Haven’t seen any the last two times I rode here.

North OHV Trail System
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/ocala/recreation/ohv/recarea/?recid=35803&actid=93
Washboard/whoop de do problem on most straight areas. Occasionally trees down on lesser used trails. I’ve seen it in better shape but still fun to ride.

K_Man

Let’s go riding and talk about it.
K_Man

Oops, change of plans.won't be able to go next week.
K_Man

If your talking next week I can go on Thursday July 18th. What time/entrance?
K_Man

Finally got my Toy fixed and have some time to ride now.

It looks like several options to snorkel a side by side seem to by pass the air box/filter. Is this the case or am I missing something? I have ridden in places like Hog Waller in the summer and a number of the roads get so dusty that you need googles and a mask if you are following somebody. I hate to think what sucking down all that dust does to your engine if there is no air filter.

K_Man

I'm up for it. It's been awhile since I've ridden.
K_Man

According to their website all riding areas are currently closed. https://www.fs.usda.gov/recmain/ocala/recreation

Was wondering if the trails are open.

I look forward to trying to keep up with you again.
K_Man

Was thinking of getting breakfast at Bass Champions Saturday morning around 8:00 am and going to the HWY 316 trailhead around 9:00 am. Can skip the breakfast if anyone wants to ride earler or meet at another trailhead.

K_Man

What is not valley? Did you mean Hog Valley? If it doesn't matter to you could we meet at the 316 trailhead, it would be a lot closer to where I am staying. How about 9:00 a.m.?

K_man

Tuesday works for me. What time and where do you want to meet?

When do you want to do some stomping?

I will be down there from Christmas Eve to New Years if anyone wants to get together and ride. Right now I can go on any day between these dates and plan on riding the North and Centennial trails. While not one of my favorites, I would also ride the Wandering Wiregrass trail if anyone hasn't been on it and would like to try it.
K_Man

I have a pretty much stock Can-Am Commander side by side with an 800 cc engine. I ride sometimes with ATV's that have 1000 cc engines and 30"+ mud tires. Who do you think is harder on the trails?

If safety is an issue than ATV's should be banned instead of side by sides. I have yet to see an ATV on the trails that I ride on in ONF that have seatbelts and a roll cage. Often the ATV riders are only wearing t-shirts, shorts, tennis shoes and about half of them aren't wearing helmets. I know there is a company out there that makes a single seat ATV with a roll cage but I have yet to see one on the trails and I ride ONF 1 to 3 times a month.

Hey guys,

I rode the Centennial Trail about two weeks ago with Rob and there weren't any trees down across the trail when we were on it but that can change from day to day.  Let me know when you can ride it and I will join you. I like to go around it twice, once in one direction then once the other way. That is about 70 miles. Maybe have a cookout at my cabin afterwards which is about 12 miles away.

Donny, I have a Can-Am Commander and it fits on the trail but there are a lot of places where you will have bushes rubbing on one or both sides of your SXS. 

K_Man

Can you post a link? The only thing I could find right off was North Florida ATV's and it looked like NE Florida ATV site with mostly stuff for sale.

By the time I thought of that we where almost back to the trail head. I will check the signs next time I go there but I bet you are right about no trucks on that part of the trail.

A couple of weekends ago my son and I were riding the Centennial Trail and on the middle of the Lower loop there was a truck stuck. This part of the trail is my favorite part with it's rolling banked curves. How the couple made it as far as they did I have no idea. They might have had 4 wheel drive but only had street tires. As soon as they saw us they came staggering up, beer in hand and smelling of weed asking us if we could let someone know they needed help. They said they tried calling but their friends couldn't they get there for awhile. I told them I would go to Big Scrub campground to let the campground host know so he could notifiy the Forest Service. When we got there, no one was camping, two Forest Service trucks were there but no one was around, not even the campground host.  We were going to stop by the Forest Service office on HWY 40 but they were closed since it was around 6:00 pm.

I was wondering if there is anyone to call if you break down on the trails in the Ocala National Forest and are riding by yourself? I know it's best not to ride alone but often it is either ride alone or don't ride at all. I get good cell phone coverage on the trails (Verizon), just don't know who to call. As a last resort I would call 911 but really hate to do that.