This one was probably the longest ride that I've done in a while that has been noteworthy enough to include here on the blog. Altogether, I think I put in about three hours of seat time from start to finish. I enjoyed it quite a bit, although the wind could have cooled its jets this weekend. My neck and shoulders got quite the workout on the way up. This one gets a little rangy, but if you have a free day and some nice weather to work with I highly recommend it.
The easiest starting point that I've found for this ride is from I-295. Head around whichever way would be fastest for you to get to New Kings Rd north and get off there. This section is rather straightforward since you're still pretty close to downtown Jacksonville. There are a few gas stations to fill up at (which I would highly recommend doing if you haven't already done so) and some fast food joints if you need some sustenance. Continue going north to Callahan, but stay your course, as New Kings Rd will turn into 301/1/23. I'm most familiar with 301 so I just followed those signs. After Callahan you will hit Hilliard. I think it was here I passed a pit BBQ joint that smelled so good that I nearly turned around to check it out. Small red building on the left that will probably be billowing delicious BBQ smoke. I'll probably head back up there at some point to try it myself.
After Hilliard comes the FL/GA state line at the St Mary's River, then Folkston. Stay diligent through here as the speed limit is rather slow and I saw a few police officers doing the all-too-cliche "let me hide behind this billboard" move. You also need to keep an eye out for the right turn needed to continue the ride as well. I missed it the first time, but hopefully you won't. I believe it was the third light at Love Rd (there is a Walgreen's type store on its northeast corner). Take your right then veer left onto Burntfoot Rd. It's pretty slow through here, but it won't be much longer until we're at the good stuff. Speed up a little bit after you're through the residential area and eventually you'll pass a correctional facility that smells terrible on your right. Shortly after your going to arrive at a fork in the road. We want to take the left fork onto River (Riverside) Rd. You can see the where the fork is better in the upper right hand corner of the zoomed in picture that I provided. The fork won't sneak up on you either unless you're totally not paying attention to what's going on. I believe there is a medium sized church sign or something marking where the fork is, and you can see it from a ways off.
After the left onto River Rd., this probably one of the funnest roads I've ridden in a while. I would have smiled more had my frown from the exceedingly chilly weather not been frozen to my face. There are plenty of curves to keep anyone busy, but the majority of them are blind so I wouldn't push my luck through any. The lack of substantial shoulder plus the not-so-great road quality will keep you on your toes as well. It road reminded me of the kind that would hurt my feet if I walked on it barefoot. Enjoy it as it will dead end back into 301. There should be a gas station in front of you at the intersection, just for a landmark's sake. Take a right and you'll get to Nahunta soon enough. There isn't a whole lot going on out there, but I had originally planned to eat at Jerry J's that's to the right off Cleveland St. Instead, Jerry J's added insult to injury with it being cold by being closed on a Sunday.... My bad I suppose, but at least the ride was good.
Getting back is quite simple. You can either take 301 all the way back down to Jacksonville or do the reverse of the ride just taken. I recommend the reverse ride since taking 301 all the way back is mind-knumbingly boring. Ask me how I know.
Google maps puts this ride as 62.3 miles as marked on the map here and will take 1 hour 24 minutes. If you choose to keep up with traffic though it will probably be closer to an hour.
A deem this ride a 4 out of 5 as it provides good scenery, plenty of places to eat, an extremely fun back-country road, and pleasant Georgia folk that get snarky with you when you don't know where the restroom is in their gas station. Look forward to another longer distance ride for the upcoming entry. Keep the shiny side up ladies and gentlemen!
