Avon Park and Sebring, Florida – South Central Florida Beauty

If you live along the Atlantic coast of Florida, you’ll hear from the locals that there are really two Floridas. The real Florida, they say, is everything east of Interstate 95, and the rest is, well, the rest.  That’s a bit of a narrow view, mostly held by relocated northerners; however, the truth is, after 20+ years with a home there, I (relocated northerner) never really explored much in the central parts of the Sunshine State. With a few days off and a desire to ride, it was time to take a look.

The beauty of Florida goes well beyond its well-known, iconic beaches. Crossing west of Sebastian past I-95, almost immediately you’ll find large estuaries, cattle-filled pastures, and endless orange groves. The road quality is excellent for the bike, with little traffic, plenty of space, and police tolerance for cruises. Banks of trees, lakes, and the occasional farmhouse pass as you eat up the miles. The flat and mostly straight lines allow you to keep an eye on the ever-present cumulus and nimbus clouds that determine the day’s ride. Towns like Avon Park and Sebring are “Old Florida,” historic and charming. We overnighted at the 100-year-old Jacaranda Hotel in Avon Park, where you can easily imagine the early 20th century. Down the road, Sebring’s raceway was alive and buzzing with drivers. The best food was at the numerous immigrant groceries that all had cantinas in the back. I’m told a lot of the new growth is happening in the middle of the state; I’m not surprised. Go see it before it’s gone.