Most riders who come to visit Daytona Beach on a regular basis are familiar with the famous "loop" ride in Ormond Beach. The beautiful canopy of live oaks creates a natural tunnel of green through Tomoka State Park while the salt marshes and palm trees remind you that the ocean is just a short distance away. Riders travel great distances just to enjoy one of America's most beautiful back roads in the Ormond Loop, but did you know that Volusia County is home to a second stretch of back road tunneling through another magnificent stretch of live oaks?
Volusia County's "southern loop" begins at the intersection of US 92 and Tomoka Farm Road (CR 415). Head south on Tomoka Farm Road through the bucolic farm country I described to you in an earlier post, only you will pass the intersection with Pioneer Trail and continue all the way to the town of Osteen. Just past the Skip's Boots store (Need any new riding boots?) in Osteen, turn left on the Osteen-Maytown Road (CR 4164). On the Maytown Road, you will continue to enjoy green pastures interspersed with stands of Florida Pine. You will notice that the woods begin to gradually thicken as you head east. After a couple of mild sweepers, you will approach a genuinely hard right hand turn near where the Maytown Road passes under I 95. Be careful on that one - I've ground up my peg feelers several times!
Just past the sharp right hander, you will enter an oak canopy equal to the Ormond Loop. The living tunnel will cool you off in its shade and dazzle you with its greenery. As you come out of the tunnel of green you will cross the railroad tracks and enter the small town of Oak Hill, Volusia County's southernmost city. At the intersection with US 1, turn left and head north towards Edgewater and New Smyrna Beach where you can explore any number of shops and restaurants. Depending upon where your interests take you, you may end your ride anywhere along US 1, the road that will lead you back north to the "World's Most Famous Beach."
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