ocala area
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 199
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From: Ocala, FL
ocala area
I live in Ocala about 10 minutes from the forest and about 15 from hardrock. Anyone looking for people to ride with shoot me pm. I have another buddy always up for a ride but we dont really go with anyone else. The Ocala jeep club rides on sundays and we prefer to ride on Saturdays thats why we dont ride with them.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 237
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From: Sebring<FL
I Love the Ocala National forest. I have been there In my Jeep and 4 Wheeler I have a friend that his house backs up to the Forest and we ride from there.
I ENVY YOU! J/K
Living In Ocala that Is
I ENVY YOU! J/K
Living In Ocala that Is
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
From: Ocala, FL
i get preyy bored in the national forest. we have found a few local spots that are much better but dont talk about them online. have you been to hardrock? they are like hardrock but twice as cool and free!
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 168
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From: South Florida
I grew up in Ocala and am now a South Floridian. I go up there quite often, so I'll have to look you up when I head up there next time. I use to ride the forest and many other areas 20+ years ago when it was a different world and the land was more free and open than now.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 197
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From: Central Florida
Some people blame the 4x4s for screwing up the sweet deal in ocala and some blame the 4wheelers/dirtbikes.
I personally think both played a hand in it, but that the 4wheelers/dirtbikes did the lion's share of the work.
You cant argue w/ the 4wheelers when they say that there could be no new trails through the scrub if a big offroad rig didnt beat down the woods first. But in a recent survey, I forget how many years in between, but there were suddenly more than 200 miles of new trails out there (most of them 4wheeler size).
Either way, they had to do something to get things under control. People just suck how they abuse a good thing until EVERYONE has to pay for it. Prime example: until recently the Juniper run recreational area off of Highway 19 was a great place to go picnic and let your dog play in the water. Since all the airboats kept coming up the run from the St. Johns and trashing the place - now no one is allowed to swim there (even though you can get away w/ it youre careful).
So if the govt is going to actually step in and take over the offroading in Ocala, Id rather be in on the ground floor than on the outside looking in. Id rahter have a sliver of what it was vs. nothing.
Again, I just wish people would take care of OUR natural resources. No need for big brother stepping in if people just show some respect.
I personally think both played a hand in it, but that the 4wheelers/dirtbikes did the lion's share of the work.
You cant argue w/ the 4wheelers when they say that there could be no new trails through the scrub if a big offroad rig didnt beat down the woods first. But in a recent survey, I forget how many years in between, but there were suddenly more than 200 miles of new trails out there (most of them 4wheeler size).
Either way, they had to do something to get things under control. People just suck how they abuse a good thing until EVERYONE has to pay for it. Prime example: until recently the Juniper run recreational area off of Highway 19 was a great place to go picnic and let your dog play in the water. Since all the airboats kept coming up the run from the St. Johns and trashing the place - now no one is allowed to swim there (even though you can get away w/ it youre careful).
So if the govt is going to actually step in and take over the offroading in Ocala, Id rather be in on the ground floor than on the outside looking in. Id rahter have a sliver of what it was vs. nothing.
Again, I just wish people would take care of OUR natural resources. No need for big brother stepping in if people just show some respect.
I agree wholeheartedly! We've had the same problems with local trails. With those, it was more of the litter and the local criminal element that screwed it up. Mostly the litterers. The dirt bikes/ATV's ruined a great place that ran from DeBary to DeLand. They were too loud and encroaching on one of the neighborhoods in the country club. Enough complaining was done by the residents (some warranted, others....well it was an "I'm rich and I shouldn't have to deal with 'these people'" kind of thing) and it's blocked off.
The lack of respect for No Trespassing signs didn't do us honest offroaders any favors, either.