North Tampa Circuit

Motorcycle Roads & Rides > Routes > United States > Florida

Average Rating - This road has been rated by 6 visitors

State: Florida
Date Submitted: October 1, 2008
Submitted by: Gary Baughn
Motorcycle Road Length: 82 Miles

Written Directions

Note: The above map is only a close representation of this route. This particular route is very detailed and so it has been broken up into two separate maps below.

This route starts in Land O Lakes, FL at SR 54 & Collier Pkwy. It winds thru the county of north Tampa almost up to Brooksville, east to Trilby, south to Dade City & Zephyrhills and back west to Land O Lakes. Note: The directions for this route are extensive and Gary has created a Google map with labeled turning points. Just click on the Google map above and see each of the turning points and read their associated directions.

Detailed Map - Part 1 (starts at The Breakfast Nook in Lutz, FL)

View North Tampa Circuit (part 1) in a larger map

Detailed Map - Part 2 (starts at Lake Ioala Rd & St Joe Rd in Dade City, FL)

View North Tampa Circuit (part 2) in a larger map

Scenery

On this route you will be taken out into the open country of north Tampa. After just a short distance, you will hardly realize that you are still in Florida. The scenery on this route includes many horse & cattle ranches as well as orange groves. If you take this route in the springtime (March) when the orange blossoms are blooming, you will definitely smell the sweet aroma of oranges wafting from the groves. Florida is not really known for being hilly, but there are a few places along this route that will surprise you with panoramic views of the countryside.

Road Quality

Most of the roads on this route are good, however there are a couple of roads in the middle that are narrow and are a little bumpy and may have sand or pebbles in the corners, so just slow down & enjoy the scenery.

Roadside Amenities

There aren't too many amenities after you get into the ride simply because you're out in the middle of the county. but later in the ride you will be going thru Dade City & Zephyrhills where there are plenty of restaurants, shops & things to do if you wish.

This particular route is not a destination ride from point A to point B, but more of a combination ride with some twisties & sweepers in some places, as well as nice relaxing straight cruising roads towards the end. If you start off with a full tank, you can make the circuit without having to fill up, unless you ride hard thru the 1st half of the ride . . . then you might have to top off somewhere along the way before the end. The best time to take this route is in the early morning. You won't find much traffic out in the country, but when you get near the cities, it will slow you down some.

Additional Info

- View the weather forecast for this area from Yahoo weather .

Nickname (optional) Gary Baughn

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Reviewed by time4fun on January 3, 2012 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Time4fun
motorcycle_year: 2011
motorcycle_make: Car
motorcycle_type: Other
Comment: This was a great ride, took about three hours to complete and had a blast from start to finish. Thanks for the great route!
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Reviewed by Guest on February 22, 2011 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Sean Reid
motorcycle_year: 2000
motorcycle_make: BMW
motorcycle_type: Sport-Touring
Comment: I'd have to say this is the best ride I've done yet in Florida. Way to go Garry. It really showed me aspects of Florida I'd not experienced before. Did the ride for the first time in March of 2009 and the smell of orange blossoms was great. About to do it again in late February of 2011. FWIW, I've run a motorcycle touring company in the northeast for 15 years.
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Reviewed by Guest on April 17, 2009 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: bill
motorcycle_year: 2006
motorcycle_make: Kawasaki
motorcycle_type: Sport
Comment: great ride and easy directions it did take us 5 hrs to complete will ride again but in sections
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Reviewed by Guest on January 14, 2009 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Hugh Palmer
motorcycle_year: 2008
motorcycle_make: Honda
motorcycle_type: Touring
Comment: Great roads and great rides. Any part of this trip is worth riding.
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Reviewed by Guest on January 9, 2009 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: John
motorcycle_year: 2006
motorcycle_make: Yamaha
motorcycle_type: Sport-Touring
Comment: Recently completed the southern half of this ride. It goes through some nice rural areas and it well worth worth your time. Thanks Gary.
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Reviewed by Guest on November 25, 2008 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Peter
motorcycle_year: 2000
motorcycle_make: Kawasaki
motorcycle_type: Sport-Touring
Comment: These are great riding roads. Big pastures full of livestock and large wooded areas. Nice turns, good surfaces. Hess station at SR50 and Spring Lake where you can pause and refresh and meet other riders. This area is very worthy of a day spent and a tank of gas. You will not be dissapointed.
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