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I have been in Tampa Fl since 1975. Not the best place in the country, but proably the best large city in Florida ( just my .02 worth). Just wanted to let everyone know there are still some great spots in the State. I'm not a great beach person so my view may be a little biased. Bikeweeks are spent inland around the St. Johns river north and south. Flager beach is still one of the best beach towns connected to the Ormand, Daytona area by 15 miles or so of National Seashore, just a mile or so inland is the famous oak covered loop road. I have not done much of south Florida other than many excursions over the years to the Keys. To me the keys are one of our national treasures but only to be enjoyed by boat. I won't go to the Keys unless I have a boat. The drive is long and boreing by land, there is farey survice from Ft. Myers to Key West that cuts the travel time in half. If I could fly, Key West by air would be fun for a few hours, around sunset or sunrise otherwise the sun is way to intense. The other end of the state up in the panhandle is very sparsely populated and can provide some great Gulf views, seafood and quant smalltown atmosphere.
Best advice is to visit when and where the crowds aren't anywhere north of Tampa. The west coast north of Tampa is refered to as the Nature Course for good reasons. Please take the time to enjoy Florida away from the crowds and extremelyl warm and humid months.
Safe riding to all

Thanks for the "insiders" view...and having lived there for almost 35 years makes you an authority.

I grew up near Pensacola and part of that time was out in Gulf Breeze, back when P'cola Beach was virtually uninhabited for most of the year.

Being stuck here in the inland highlands of Georgia, my wife and I like to go to Cedar Key in February during my little break from work. Its not an extended stay but lets us see a little water and bask in the slow moving lifestyle for a couple of days.
I'm looking at Appalachicola for a future visit. I hear it is great for oysters.

I like the Panhandel area from Mexico Beach over to Apalachicola and Carrabelle beach. Nice roads low populated area with some great seafood and scence views overlooking the Gulf oF Mexico.
My excape from Florida usally consist of running straight up hwy 441 or I75 to the Georgia mountains. Great riding and beautiful scenery. I usally stay at TWO in Suches, does not seem to far from Woodstock. I try to make it up to The Georgia Mountain rally the first weekend in May, usally rains but has always been a fun rally. Hope you enjoy your visit to the panhandel!
I really don't consider myself much of expert on anything. Seems the older I get the more I realize how little I know.