I think I would classify this particular ride as a "head clearer". It's one that is best taken while the sun is setting or at night when minimal traffic is present so you can calm the nerves or just look at some of what some people would call Jacksonville's "back-country". This ride starts on County Road 220 right off Blanding Blvd. just outside of Orange Park (about 35-40 minutes ride southwest from downtown Jacksonville), and takes you around some of the surrounding land used for local ranching. From 220 you will take a right onto County Road 209, which has personally been my favorite road since I have been able to drive. This quiet 2 lane road offers some beautiful scenery and sweeping curves that keep things fun. Beware of hidden police officers though if you choose to speed! They like to hide just out of sight. Stay to the right when you get to the light where the railroad tracks are to your left. Take another right onto CR 315 for a short while. Don't get to ahead of yourself on this little straight, as it is downhill and hides a sharp left. Continuing on you hit a nice straight where sport bikes can open it up if they feel the need. When you reach State Road 16 take a right and this will take you through some nice hilly areas. Be careful again through here as the police like to be sneaky on this straight. You'll pass the clay county fair grounds, go through some nice over-the-road tree cover, then take a right onto CR 218. This last bit offers some nice vistas along the way, but over all is the most boring of the 4 roads on this ride.Take this back up to Blanding, head right and you'll be on your way back to Highway 295. Overall this is can be a nice relaxing 50 minute cruise or, for the speed demons out there, a 30 minute sprint. This ride is 28 miles round-trip.
I'll have to give this one 3 out of 5 twists of the throttle, because although it can be a relaxing ride, it can also have a tendency to get boring quickly if you aren't in the mood.
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