ocala

[dirtyface]

I went to ocala this past weekend and rode all over. Man that place is great. I thought the place was pretty clean, for the most part, not much litter or trash around. I talked to a couple of rangers and they were telling us about the new system and everything that is changing up there. They were very nice and informative about everthing but they gave me a sence that they didn't really like the bikes up there.

They didn't like the bikes driving on the road or should I say the numbered roads. They tried to blame the rough roads on the bikes but thats not the case. They just need to get the grader out there and grade the roads like you do on the farm. And if they would grade some of those whoops out there on the trails and under the power wires they wouldn't be on the numbered roads. The trails are so whoop out you can hardly drive on them. Thats why they are driving on the numbered roads because they can't drive under the wires with all the whoops, can't get any speed up.

I know it sounds like I am complaining but I'm not. Its is simple, a couple of graders once a week would make the place much better. I just don't see all the damage. The bikes are out there throwing dirt around, big deal. Its kind of like tilling the soil on a farm. The percentage of trails compared to the mass of the forest is minuscule. The trails can't cause any serious damage. It is a beautiful forest, healthy, with obundent wildlife. We saw plenty of deer and turkeys. I wiil be going up there alot to ride.

[mikeE36]

if u want a non whooped place pm me for directions. glad u had fun.

[ATVXtreme]

Its not the already established trails in the forest that are causing the damage, it is blazing new trails, that is what the complaint is.

There is an old saying if the fire is too hot then get out. Whoops are fun dude, there the best, you just have to learn to ride them. It is easier on two wheels, and more fun.

The rough roads, are all over the forest, even North. There are rough probably due to hunting season and all the traffic, and your right a grader would take care of it, and they do grade them.

I hear big scrub is going to change and there is a trail system going in the Delancy area.

[Teej]

Ocala is a lot closer to me but with all the good I have  heard, I have also heard the bad. ATV's, trailers, gear being stolen. But my biggest concern is the drinking.

Now I have beer in my fridge, but I don't drink and ride. Someone wants to kill themselves, that is fine, but I want to bring my wife and kids and fear some drunk rider running into them or some hot head loosing his temper.

Is this the case there or not in Ocala? This could also be the rangers irritation with ATV's. Irresponsible riders, drunk or not, tearing the place up. That is why as a husband and father I am planning a trip to Croom. I would rather try Ocala, but I think Croom will be safer for everyone.

Teej

[Moose]

Even there you have to keep your eyes open. The trails crisscross each other all over the place. There is a small kids play area for their small quads, but kids only, you watch. The far north end sees less traffic, at least when I was there last. The place can be fun, just keep the eyes open, peeps get air lifted out from time to time. Much to often.

[dirtyface]

I did not thnk about that atvextreme, I would think everybody would stay on the existing trails. You can't just go out there and make your own new trail. Thats crazy. And maybe I can't ride that well to highspeed it over the whoops but I did see a few that could out there. I got a new bomb 800 and its kind of big to ride those whoops fast.

I guess you are right about the drinking. I did see beer bottles scattered around. But it was there superbowl weekend and there wasn't a big crowd.  So I don't know what the normal crowd is but the rangers said the place was empty campared to the normal size of the weekend crowd. You will always have guys out there drinking beer and riding. And you will find some goofball wanting to fight and be stupid while he is drunk.

If everyone would just follow the second most command:{ Do  to others as you would have them do to you} everything would be all right. You wouldn't want someone throwing trash in your yard so don't throw it theirs. Respect one onother. Its really simple and makes alot of sence.

[FishaHallic]

Moose is right, the trails at Croom do criss cross alot.  The good thing is the woods are not as thick as it is in Ocala so I don't think you will have any blind turns.  That's the scary part for me in Ocala every turn is a blind turn, gotta keep your head on a swivel.

Croom has at least 2 kiddie tracks that I know of.  One is at the sandpit at the front end by the gate.  Pull into the parking area and take a right and the kiddie area will be on the right.  The other is in the day area in the middle of Croom it's a little harder to find  but it will be on the left as you get to the day area.   Stay north of the day area on the far end, a little less traffic and a few little hills and gullies.  Have fun