Avon Park, Florida to Frostproof: Round Trip among the Citrus Groves & More!

[@dswanger57]

I was raised in Avon Park and had family in Frost Proof. What a great throwback. Thanks so much!

[@flaarcher]

I just watched this 4 years later. I spent a year and a half in Avon Park while stationed at the bombing range nearby. I really enjoyed the memories as you passed through. The drive to Frostproof was pleasantly hilly for Florida.

[@SQUID_Road_Glide]

Sweet speed track compo, surprised you got the tires to fit. Unfortunately, when that train was in operation I only could have access to it as a Pullman Porter. Many would not appreciate your tailwind reference. Fair winds and following seas. You should have tried the boiled peanuts 🥜 they are are pretty good and would have helped on the ride. 2 stops along the route 😂. I thought I was the only one who was curious about tire tracks. 🩸 Bloody🩸Hell. Thanks for the pic at 13:32, amazing. That sand was really not expected, OMG Dude, you are a real mate hanging in there. BZ. The pic @ 16:07 is something I shoul have done biking in Japan, Bahrain, Puerto Rico, Thailand, and Mylasia. .

[@wkduffy]

Toward the end of your ride where you exit Lake Wales State Forest (where you read the sign that says "entering Highlands County"), I live on that road! (Well, just a mile off of it We semi-retired here a couple years ago.) You shoulda stopped by for an iced tea and a dip in the pool! But seriously, we love escaping to our home in "desolate country," the wide open blue skies and sudden downpours, all while riding the red clay orange grove roads. The biking is always amazing and everyone waves! Thanks for visiting, and next time stop by for an iced tea and a dive in the deep end, seriously.

[@agentleebs]

Kudos to you for the miles in the heat! I ride some of those roads, but at 6 AM 😄 You missed an actual (short) tunnel under the railroad track between Babson Park and Frostproof, you were so close. I just re-worked my old mtb to run the sand roads and am having fun. The red stuff and shell stuff are hauled in for the dirt roads, you found the natural stuff that lets you sink in. I was reading an Orbea review where you mentioned Irma, that perked me up, checked your video list and found this. Thanks! Subscribed!

[@GravelCyclist]

I rode the tunnel you speak of, but it wasn't in the video. Thanks for the kind words, more content like this to come!

[@GravelCyclist]

Thanks also for explaining the red soil, this makes total sense.

[@agentleebs]

May 16th was near 90°F, but we know that the full FL sun makes it much more intense - you are a beast! Now that I think about it, that tunnel does not have video friendly graffiti either, ugh. The railroad spur through Frostproof is used daily for freight to the Lowe’s Distribution Center just South of town. Frostbite Ice Cream (50’s style burger place, good food) is about 1/2 mi N of downtown on Scenic 17, if you want to sit inside for the AC next time. Make a left to put you on the sand road you took. Looking forward to your future videos.

[@crazydaisy3034]

My home town...SWEET. Jacaranda in Avon Park is dorms and Culinary training school. It is owned by the college now..

[@GravelCyclist]

Thanks for the additional info about the Jacaranda! First time I'd ever laid my eyes on the building, absolutely beautiful.

[@DaneKromer]

Another enjoyable video JOM. Although not a resident in my state of Minnesota, I believe the bird in question is the Boat-tailed Grackle.

[@GravelCyclist]

Thank you Dane, appreciate the bird info. Hope I can make it to Minnesota again in the future. Last time was for Almanzo in 2017, the cold and rainy edition. Love riding there!

[@PathfinderGregg]

I had forgotten how much I enjoyed small town Florida when I lived there. And south GA. Thanks for reminding me. I may have to move to one of those small towns in FL so I can enjoy the riding the gravel roads beneath the canopy of moss and looking about the small towns.

[@GravelCyclist]

Gregg, I have a lot more content from Florida SoGA coming. Like you I love small towns... I can see myself retiring in one of these places and enjoying the quiet life later. Just a few years to go...

[@MrHoustonismydog]

I’m new to your channel and know this was your ride a few years ago. When I was in the Air Force, long ago, before going overseas we would deploy to Avon Park Air Station and set up mobile communications that included full runway and radar and would call in bombing strikes to the small range there. Not sure if it is still active.

[@GravelCyclist]

Hello there, I don't recall any signage about a bombing range. I can definitely confirm there is a live bombing range close to the Ocala Forest.

[@durianriders]

Florida looks like a combo between ADL and East Thailand. Frostproof...what an epic citrus name haha.

[@GravelCyclist]

So missing ADL right now, except for the cold and rainy part. Frostproof, nice little town, had a good chat off camera to some nice locals (at an appropriate distance).

[@maxmichelson5649]

Great Video Jason .the orange trees have a really dark green foliage which looks so nice when oranges are ripe . Looked like a great day at the office . Out and about on your rides and you come across some bakery’s love to see some footage of them if possible . Cheers max

[@GravelCyclist]

Max, unfortunately, the bakeries we are so used to in Oz aren't a thing here :(

[@maxmichelson5649]

Gravel Cyclist thanks Jason . They don’t know what their missing out on . Reason for question that’s my Trade .they say don’t trust a skinny cook 😀 but lm a cyclist l can get away with it . Thanks for reply take care and keep your back wheel going forward cheers max

[@edgarmartinez9199]

Amazing journeys you take! I'm actually half hour from frostproof and that little town is quite quaint to say the least. Keep up the great work! Cheers!

[@GravelCyclist]

Thanks Edgar! You live in a really lovely area.

[@cujomtb250]

Awesome video! It was very interesting to watch you ride roads that were very familiar to me. I recognized the vast majority of your route. There is great riding to be had, but it's like you said, very little shade. Cheers.

[@GravelCyclist]

Thank you! A super tough route to ride say in July... yikes!

[@kittyblaze2859]

I grew up in frostproof

[@kittyblaze2859]

My cousin Brian works at that store

[@chrisharley4353]

Question: Do you lock your bike when you go into the store?

[@GravelCyclist]

Sometimes I carry a small lock, but failing that, throw the chain into the biggest gear. Sure, someone could grab the bike and throw it into a pickup truck, but if they try to split on the bike, they have to get a huge gear rolling. Additionally, I take my helmet and wrap the straps through the front wheel / fork. Slows things down a little.

[@chrisharley4353]

@@GravelCyclist Thanks! Be safe. See you on the trail.

[@toddneal4026]

anyway to see your route ?

[@GravelCyclist]

Negative, trespassing was involved, I don't need people following in my footsteps. Sorry.

[@darrell1829]

That bird looks like a great-tailed grackle. I'm from the UK, so only guessing (certainly don't have them over here)

[@GravelCyclist]

Thanks Darrell, you are are spot on, somebody else confirmed. Thank you.

[@walcottav]

Thanks for the tour JOM! How do you like those plush 650b wheels and tires? Review anytime soon?

[@GravelCyclist]

The DT wheels are under review, I also have the equivalent 700c model. The idea is to highlight the benefits of both sizes, hopefully I can sort that out. I've ridden 650b x 48mm GK SK's before, at the right pressure, they are pretty tasty. With that said, I just received the new GK SS in 650b x 48, looking forward to riding those! They weigh less which is my only complaint with the 650b GK SK.

[@JasonScottCarter]

Are those sunglasses like the cheapo ones you get sometimes from vendors? I didn't think Quarq made sunglasses on their own.

[@GravelCyclist]

Correct, cheapo glasses that came from Quarq at a trade show. They do have UV protection so it isn't all bad. I keep breaking brand name glasses FFS.

[@INEEDPEAKPT]

JOM: I saw at the intro you were riding the Goodyear Connectors...Thoughts on them? ps...Love the "adventure videos"

[@GravelCyclist]

Need a little more time on them to formulate an opinion... thinking I will have to post a video review. Thus far, they fare well across most surfaces but would be a little too aggressive for say, hard pack. More adventure videos coming, wishing I had been recording in this style from day one! Thank you.