https://www.wftv.com/news/local/elderly-st-augustine-woman-reported-missing-ocala-national-forest-over-week/MUHFMU5C7FHW5AWGZ4ZU7WRFJ4/

https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/florida/alerts-notices/?aid=77987

Went riding on the Centennial OHV Trail last weekend. I would like to thank the folks who cut up a lot of trees to make the trail passable. There are still some trees need to be cut up in the North East area. People have been driving around them. Next time I'm going to bring my chainsaw.

Had a chance to ride there a couple of times lately  and found the trail to be in pretty good shape. Most of the washboard areas were smooth, a couple of trees down but people either rode over them or drove around them. Going to bring my chainsaw with me next time. Overall fun riding shape.
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