Borrowed this from the Goldwing Riders and added my own comments.
Bumped for 2007 season
This is for Virginia, USA
Good Roads to Ride:
Blue Ridge Parkway
One lane each way, only a few park rangers, wide easy curves that start to tighten as you approach north carolina. Connects to Skyline Dr in the north. Waynesboro to Va / NC Border
CamComments: A speeding ticket is a Federal Offense in the confines of the BRP. $500 and up fines. True there are few rangers, but assess your risk wisely. Best ridden early spring (March-April) and high summer months during Monday-Wednesday mornings. Avoid September-November leafer season if you like to set your own pace. Take the time to study your map and explore the numerous side roads (6xx and 7xx numbered county roads) that intersect the BRP. Highlight - unlike the Skyline Drive, the Blue Ridge Parkway was engineered to be driven well at 45 mph. You can do this without needing to brake for corners or worry about curves (well many riders can). No need to speed.
Route 250
Route 250 from Staunton VA to Monterey VA. Tons of curves over 5 mountain ranges. Go on a weekday, and have the road to yourself.
CamCom: Properly called US 250 West. Avoid Staunton by getting onto VA 42 north or south of there and riding into Churchville to intersect US 250. This road was engineered and built by Napoleon's Engineers as France's military support during the US-British War of 1812 (Napoleon's troops were busy in Prussia). Every slope is graded just so; every curve is angled just right. There is an absence of VA DoT warning signs (yellow background/black curve arrow/ speed recommendation) for reasons I cannot determine. But it is an easy road to read. Follow this road into West Virginia, it is worth the next two mountains along the route. Go to Elkins along US 250 or turn south to Green Bank and see the big dish.
State Route 311
Great 2-lane road through the Jefferson National Forest (52 miles, total). Very little traffic, even fewer turnoffs. Very scenic with many challenging sections, i.e. short straights, followed by tight turns. Changes altitude very often. Most turns are blind because of Trees/Hills. Biggest problem - Wildlife. Roanoke(I-81 exit 141)-I-64(exit 183 WV)
CamCom: It's all true. Proper name is VA 311. Watch for the STOP sign in the short West Virginia section when WV Rte 3 takes priority. And again where VA 159 cuts off from VA 311. (Don't ask me how I know.)
Colonial Parkway
From Jamestown to Yorktown start on the James River at the site where British America was born. You finish on the York River at Yorktown.
CamCom: Don't waste your time.
Route 7
Start at Leesburg or I-495 & Georgetown Pike in McLean and ride through Route 29 / 211 & I-66
CamCom: They're joking. This runs through the 3rd most congested metro area in the country and unless you prefer Shopping Center and Cookie Cutter MacMansions, don't bother. No good food either.
Mount Weather Road
On Rt. 50 just west of Paris, Virginia the Mount Weather road runs parallel to the Snickersville Turnpike. The road follows the ridgeline and has several slow sweepers, one honest-to-goodness 10mph turn, and several scenic views.
CamCom: Passes through heavily guarded Federal lands. Use caution. Good road. Fun. If traveling southbound, the STOP sign at US 50 and the limited sight distance will challenge you - blind, downhill, 15 mph curve to a complete stop with no warning sign. US 50 is a 65-70 mph road, heavily policed.
Piedmont Area
From Arlington take I66 west to Gainesville. Get on 55W to Haymarket, follow it to the edge of Front Royal and turn left at 522S. Follow 522S [16+ miles] to where it hits a divided highway (still 522) and bear right. Stay on this stretch for about 8 miles then take the first right turn onto Route 231. Stay on 231S, cross Route 29 and go to Route 20. Turn left onto 20. When you get to Orange take 615 and head north. Follow 615 to 522N and then get on Rt 29N back to 28N.
CamCom: They mean well but are geographically challenged. It's not the Piedmont but it is the foothills of the Blue Ridge (east face) and the Northwest Mountains and the Southwest Mountains. VA 55 is good, not great. Lots of hidden driveways. The US 522 S and VA 231 S split is after the town of Sperryville - those directions above might leave you confused. At Sperryville, stay on VA 211 (the road that US522 joined 8 miles back) and cross Thorton Gap into Luray and return....great mountain twisties!!!! When VA 231 gets to VA 20 (Somerset) stay on VA 231 into Gordonsville (another 6 miles) Trust me. It is worth that stretch. Then return to VA 20 North.
Rt. 734 Snickersville Turnpike
Snickersville Turnpike starts on Rt. 50 at the south and ends at Rt. 7 to the north and runs for 14 miles of twists and turns.
CamCom: YES!
Rt. 678, Powell's Fort Road
Powell's Fort road is also a historically significant road, fought over during the Civil War and as the site of one of the first 1930's Civilian Conservation Corps camps. This road winds along the base of the steep Massanutten Mountain ridges through several small scenic towns and is a superb leaf-watching road. The north end starts at Rt. 55 just west of Front Royal in the hamlet of Waterlick, and the southern end at Rt. 211 in Luray (after turning into Rt. 675.)
CamCom: Yes also....worth it.
There are more, better, secret roads. But you must come to the Bash!
Bumpy Roads Worth Riding
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MikeCam
- Centurion Moderator!
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Bumpy Roads Worth Riding
Last edited by MikeCam on Thu May 03, 2007 12:02 pm, edited 2 times in total.
The Older I Get, The Less I Know.
And often, you have ample opportunity to pause and enjoy the view, because you are not moving very fast!yjleesvrr wrote:FDR Drive, New York City. Breathtaking view of the cityscape.
Actually, I have never been on FDR on my bike. However, a great place with a view is in Weehawken NJ not far from the Lincoln Tunnel entrance. Go to the park where Burr and Hamilton had their duel, and you will get a great view of the NYC skyline, especially at night time.
Bob
2002 Atlanta Blue
Lifetime Member #74
2002 Atlanta Blue
Lifetime Member #74
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yjleesvrr
- Member
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- Joined: Mon Mar 28, 2005 5:23 pm
- Location: Blacksburg and Haymarket, VA/Basking Ridge, NJ
Bob - FDR drive isn't so bad on weekends. It does slow down to a crawl once you get into Harlem, but the skyline on the Upper East Side gets boring once you pass about 100th street anyway.
The other route I mentioned in Western Virginia is a polar opposite to the FDR Drive experience. Very few man-made structures visible, but nice mountain views and rolling hills. No signal light until you get to Newcastle.
The other route I mentioned in Western Virginia is a polar opposite to the FDR Drive experience. Very few man-made structures visible, but nice mountain views and rolling hills. No signal light until you get to Newcastle.
Member #93, June 2002
'14 BMW R1200RT "Wethead"
'77 BMW R100/7 "Airhead"
'14 BMW R1200RT "Wethead"
'77 BMW R100/7 "Airhead"
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MikeCam
- Centurion Moderator!
- Posts: 2216
- Joined: Sat Mar 19, 2005 8:05 pm
- Location: Conway River, Virginia
And from New Castle continue on SR 615 and 621 to Clifton Forge....nice!
Pick up VA 42 again at Clifton Forge and stay on it all the way to Woodstock. Passes through Staunton and Harrisonburg, but otherwise all country road.
The other way, from US 460 south, take VA 100 at Pearisburg until you find VA 42 again, then follow it all the way south to Broadford and VA 91 to Saltville, Glade Spring, Damascus, and Mountain City, TN. WoW!
Then US 421/TN91 to Shady Valley..... never go home!
Pick up VA 42 again at Clifton Forge and stay on it all the way to Woodstock. Passes through Staunton and Harrisonburg, but otherwise all country road.
The other way, from US 460 south, take VA 100 at Pearisburg until you find VA 42 again, then follow it all the way south to Broadford and VA 91 to Saltville, Glade Spring, Damascus, and Mountain City, TN. WoW!
Then US 421/TN91 to Shady Valley..... never go home!
The Older I Get, The Less I Know.
Re: Roads Worth Riding
MikeCam wrote: the Mount Weather road runs parallel to the Snickersville Turnpike.
There are more, better, secret roads. But you must come to the Bash!
Mmmmmmmmm. Snickersville.
Kristi
05 Granite Grey
05 Granite Grey
Re: Roads Worth Riding
OK, I have to put my $.02 in on some of these. Hey - it's good to have a second set of eyes looking at it.
Agreed - Good road travelled at 50MPH, and the risk isn't worth going too much faster than that. Stick to off season and weekday rides.MikeCam wrote:Blue Ridge Parkway
CamComments: Best ridden early spring (March-April) and high summer months during Monday-Wednesday mornings. Avoid September-November leafer season if you like to set your own pace. Take the time to study your map and explore the numerous side roads (6xx and 7xx numbered county roads) that intersect the BRP. Highlight - unlike the Skyline Drive, the Blue Ridge Parkway was engineered to be driven well at 45 mph. You can do this without needing to brake for corners or worry about curves (well many riders can). No need to speed.
Good road but was in desperate need of re-paving. Great views (almost too distracting) when descending into the valleys.MikeCam wrote:Route 250
CamCom: Properly called US 250 West. Avoid Staunton by getting onto VA 42 north or south of there and riding into Churchville to intersect US 250. This road was engineered and built by Napoleon's Engineers as France's military support during the US-British War of 1812 (Napoleon's troops were busy in Prussia). Every slope is graded just so; every curve is angled just right. There is an absence of VA DoT warning signs (yellow background/black curve arrow/ speed recommendation) for reasons I cannot determine. But it is an easy road to read. Follow this road into West Virginia, it is worth the next two mountains along the route. Go to Elkins along US 250 or turn south to Green Bank and see the big dish.
Road it to the last Hungry Mother ride - great roads!MikeCam wrote:State Route 311
Great 2-lane road through the Jefferson National Forest (52 miles, total). Very little traffic, even fewer turnoffs. Very scenic with many challenging sections, i.e. short straights, followed by tight turns. Changes altitude very often. Most turns are blind because of Trees/Hills. Biggest problem - Wildlife. Roanoke(I-81 exit 141)-I-64(exit 183 WV)
CamCom: It's all true. Proper name is VA 311. Watch for the STOP sign in the short West Virginia section when WV Rte 3 takes priority. And again where VA 159 cuts off from VA 311. (Don't ask me how I know.)
Huh? That's a motorcycle ride?MikeCam wrote:Colonial Parkway
From Jamestown to Yorktown start on the James River at the site where British America was born. You finish on the York River at Yorktown.
CamCom: Don't waste your time.
Agreed - they were smoking something good when they came up with that one. AVOID AT ALL COSTSMikeCam wrote:Route 7
Start at Leesburg or I-495 & Georgetown Pike in McLean and ride through Route 29 / 211 & I-66
CamCom: They're joking. This runs through the 3rd most congested metro area in the country and unless you prefer Shopping Center and Cookie Cutter MacMansions, don't bother. No good food either.
Again, the last time I was on it it needed a re-paving and cleaning (too much loose gravel). Too short of a road; too close for the DC Metro area squids to hang out at.MikeCam wrote:Mount Weather Road
On Rt. 50 just west of Paris, Virginia the Mount Weather road runs parallel to the Snickersville Turnpike. The road follows the ridgeline and has several slow sweepers, one honest-to-goodness 10mph turn, and several scenic views.
CamCom: Passes through heavily guarded Federal lands. Use caution. Good road. Fun. If traveling southbound, the STOP sign at US 50 and the limited sight distance will challenge you - blind, downhill, 15 mph curve to a complete stop with no warning sign. US 50 is a 65-70 mph road, heavily policed.
Not a bad area, not too technical but good easy riding; great scenery without being in the mountains.MikeCam wrote:Piedmont Area
From Arlington take I66 west to Gainesville. Get on 55W to Haymarket, follow it to the edge of Front Royal and turn left at 522S. Follow 522S [16+ miles] to where it hits a divided highway (still 522) and bear right. Stay on this stretch for about 8 miles then take the first right turn onto Route 231. Stay on 231S, cross Route 29 and go to Route 20. Turn left onto 20. When you get to Orange take 615 and head north. Follow 615 to 522N and then get on Rt 29N back to 28N.
CamCom: They mean well but are geographically challenged. It's not the Piedmont but it is the foothills of the Blue Ridge (east face) and the Northwest Mountains and the Southwest Mountains. VA 55 is good, not great. Lots of hidden driveways. The US 522 S and VA 231 S split is after the town of Sperryville - those directions above might leave you confused. At Sperryville, stay on VA 211 (the road that US522 joined 8 miles back) and cross Thorton Gap into Luray and return....great mountain twisties!!!! When VA 231 gets to VA 20 (Somerset) stay on VA 231 into Gordonsville (another 6 miles) Trust me. It is worth that stretch. Then return to VA 20 North.
Great road, lots of police patrols due to the high squid concentration- too close to the DC area.MikeCam wrote:Rt. 734 Snickersville Turnpike
Snickersville Turnpike starts on Rt. 50 at the south and ends at Rt. 7 to the north and runs for 14 miles of twists and turns.
CamCom: YES!
Yes, another great road; good for an early morning ride when the sun is coming up. Follows a tight valley; hidden, secluded.MikeCam wrote:Rt. 678, Powell's Fort Road
Powell's Fort road is also a historically significant road, fought over during the Civil War and as the site of one of the first 1930's Civilian Conservation Corps camps. This road winds along the base of the steep Massanutten Mountain ridges through several small scenic towns and is a superb leaf-watching road. The north end starts at Rt. 55 just west of Front Royal in the hamlet of Waterlick, and the southern end at Rt. 211 in Luray (after turning into Rt. 675.)
CamCom: Yes also....worth it.
John
Member 293 (I think)
'17 Triumph Tiger 1200 XRX
Member 293 (I think)
'17 Triumph Tiger 1200 XRX
I'll add my two cents... not local to me.... ppppffffttttt where is there a nice road in IL?
Route 22 in the Northwest corner of lower Michigan. Head Northwest out of Travers City. Small towns, curvy, hilly, vinyards, wine tasting, orchards, roadside fruit stands, dunes, light houses, scenic views of Lake Michigan.
Route 50 in Colorado. From Salida to Parkdale. The road follows a river, and I mean follows... every bend... with towering rock cliffs on both sides, occasionally breaking open to some pasture land.
California. Santa Cruz, San Mateo area. Take route 35 Northwest from where it meets route 17. Stop at the famous Alice's Restaurant along the way. Stay on it all the way to route 92 which will lead you West into Half Moon Bay. Or if you want really curvy, take route 84 Soutwest to the Ocean. The route has Redwood forests, vinyards, desert, non stop curves, bed and breakfasts. The drop on route 92 to route 1 down the side of the cliff is something. Bring warm clothes cause Half Moon Bay is 55 degrees year round. And if you run off the road in many areas you are history cause the drops just go on an on.
Route 22 in the Northwest corner of lower Michigan. Head Northwest out of Travers City. Small towns, curvy, hilly, vinyards, wine tasting, orchards, roadside fruit stands, dunes, light houses, scenic views of Lake Michigan.
Route 50 in Colorado. From Salida to Parkdale. The road follows a river, and I mean follows... every bend... with towering rock cliffs on both sides, occasionally breaking open to some pasture land.
California. Santa Cruz, San Mateo area. Take route 35 Northwest from where it meets route 17. Stop at the famous Alice's Restaurant along the way. Stay on it all the way to route 92 which will lead you West into Half Moon Bay. Or if you want really curvy, take route 84 Soutwest to the Ocean. The route has Redwood forests, vinyards, desert, non stop curves, bed and breakfasts. The drop on route 92 to route 1 down the side of the cliff is something. Bring warm clothes cause Half Moon Bay is 55 degrees year round. And if you run off the road in many areas you are history cause the drops just go on an on.
Ves (AKA Boy,Sledge, and Cheap Bastid)
