ATV Florida Forum

First let me say I appreciate the fact that ONF is trying to make a nice legal riding area.  These are my impressions so far.
Paid the $6 to park at Lake Delancey campground, while parking a very nice ranger came over and gave me a couple maps and explained the new trails to me.  First he told me the trail lengths were all incorrect.  He explained that Longleaf trail shows 16 miles and its actually 39.  Good to know.  He then explained the trails were really all whooped up, he wasnt kidding!  He said a machine to groom them was on order but wouldnt be in for at least 4 months.  We headed out and got on the main trail which was about 3 atvs wide.  After a short ride we came to the Delancey Loop section and took that.  Very narrow, most of the time branches were scraping down boths sides of my atv.  I dont know what would have happened if I would have come across someone going the other way.  I dont think we could have got far enough off the trail to pass each other.  Plus there were numerous blind curves on the tight trails.  We got back on the Longleaf trail and started riding hoping to find some nice smooth areas, never did.  After several miles of nothing but being launched from one whoop and nose diving into the next one we turned around and headed back to the camping area.  We then headed out the back of the camp and tried that section.  Again nothing but constant whoops.  We then loaded up and drove to the Rodman dam entrance of the trails to check it out.  Same thing, all whoops.

All total we rode 21 miles with about a total of a 1/4 mile being smooth and enjoyable, the rest was like riding a mechanical bull.  I cant wait to see what they do when the equipment comes in to groom the trails.  If they get them smoothed out it will be a wonderful place to ride.  The scenery is beautiful and the trails are nice and long.

Again, dont take this as complaining.  I am just giving my opinion and letting others know what I found.  I would have been very disappointed if I had to drive a long ways to get here.

I am under the impression the machinery is all ready there - a coot, and a sweco.

I rode 108 miles last weekend on them trails. Had my 2 boys with me. If you go fast over the whoops you just touch the tops of them and it is a little smoother.

At least you didn't get lost. I found some sections of the long leaf pine trail not marked. Some intersections were not marked, good thing I had my gps.