| Author | Message | ||
     Glitch |
This is what they put up at fatal accident locations here in France, one for each victim. Not sure I'd call them victims if they killed themselves. | ||
| Jlnance |
I'm still amazed at WHY the Dragon is so popular. It's freaking tight and twisty. Largely because the local businesses which cater to the motorcycle crowd, popularize and promote it. | ||
| Jlnance |
FWIW I'm always amazed that Highway 28, which intersects the Dragon at the store, and which is in my opinion much more fun to ride, is virtually unknown by people who go to the Dragon. | ||
| Etennuly |
FWIW I'm always amazed that Highway 28, which intersects the Dragon at the store, and which is in my opinion much more fun to ride, is virtually unknown by people who go to the Dragon. That is what I'm talking about. Why beat one path to death when there are a nearly unlimited bunch of well groomed twisty roads in the area in at least five surrounding states. Orangeulius and I found 421 the Snake to be awesome (thanks Brad9r). There are so many more. | ||
| Bigdaddy |
I couldn't agree more Jim! 28 is a better ride IMO too. Etennuly, If you're going to run 421 you really, really, really need to 221 out of Blowing Rock. I've never counted the turns, but its just as tight and twist as 129 -- it's also longer if you stay with it. | ||
| Etennuly |
Big, Come on up and I'll show you 32. Not a straight stretch much over 150 feet in seven miles of perfect pavement! | ||
| Bigdaddy |
Vern, I need to do that. It's been pretty hard to get away of late, but we did get down south of you this past weekend for a few hours. If the thermometer keeps trying to jump out the top I'm going to sit right here in the A/C this weekend. | ||
| Ryker77 |
Not much different than ATV trail riding in WV. People come from all around to ride the hatfield Mccoy trailsystems. www.trailsheaven.com. Often they go straight to the most internet popular. Thus the miss out on other less internet "popular" and only the locals know about the miles and miles of non-posted trails to ride. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Hwy 32 does not exist. It's a myth. | ||
| M2nc |
US-16 North of Marion VA. 25 miles and four passes that make the Dragon look like a freeway. You know we need to get together and ride all these locations and rate them.  | ||
| Macbuell |
60 in North Georgia is the best road I have ever ridden. Tons of really nice twisty stuff along with some real nice sweepers and a couple of nice straights through a valley. Just awesome. I could spend an entire day on that road and that road only and be completely satisfied. | ||
| Bad_karma |
Carlos If we rate these roads will the dragon be the standard. Maybe a 13 or maybe 318? Joe | ||
| Glitch |
Hey BigDaddy, how would you rate the Little Switzerland Loop? Leaving out any past relationships in the area  Also any roads up near Linville Falls (126). I wish I could take a sabbatical for a year or so and write a book. "Glitch's Guide to the Great South East" Anyone want to finance me?  | ||
| Mikej |
Start writing that book Glitch, there have been several Ride Guides written over the years. Do it in segments, compile it, keep current just prior to publication, then start up a web site for updates and ride reports. Glitch's Guides Has a nice ring to it. | ||
| Bigdaddy |
I absolutely dig the Little Switzerland Loop. I don't ride it as much as I'd like because I've yet to figure out a proper way to carry shotgun on the Buell. Plenty of good rides in/around Linville too. We're going up to Blowing Rock today and we'll probably stay up on top all day. We're getting there via old 18 to 181 to 221 and there's not a better ride. 181 gives you the big high speed stuff for miles -- they did close the gas station near the top FYI -- and then you can get off on 221. 221 is every bit as twisty as 129 just not nearly so popular. Once you get financed let me know,,,,,,I've been looking for a new profession  | ||
| Jimidan |
The best I ever did on the Dragon was 12:05 from the overlook to the top of the hill up from the store. The only rule was that we could not cross the yellow line...ever. | ||
| Blublak |
I LOVE the Snake.. another good road in that area.. Especially if you were just at VIR (In Danville) 58 from Danville West. Lot's of fun, great scenery too.. 250 West from Harrisonburg VA to Moundsville WVA (or do what I do and turn it into a loop..) Rt. 250 West to Elkins, Rt. 33 East to Bridgewater Rt. 42 South to 250.. Rest.. Then do it the other way... If on the other hand, you're coming up my way.. I've got several hundred miles of roads in my area that are worth the trip.. Some of them even tucked into the heart of suburbia... Now that we talk about it.. I think we should open another thread.. | ||
| Glitch |
Glitch's Guides Oh no, my gears are turning... Stay tuned, I'll be needing y'alls help I'm sure. I've been looking for a new profession Are we long lost brothers or what! | ||
| Fullpower |
Read the constitution. Liberty first. | ||
| Xbrad9r |
Carlos...i work in Marion...you weren't supposed to tell them about 16, now there will be more traffic for us to contend with. haha, next time you (or anyone else) is up this way, try out Route 80 from Meadowview, VA to Rosedale, VA. We went across it in a car once and my wife has sworn that she will never ride that road again. it has a lot of varying conditions and elevations and very little traffic in most parts where you can get the full twist of the throttle and enjoy all the Buell has to offer. whats cool is that once you cross it and hook up with US19, you are just about twenty minutes from jumping back onto 16 back toward Marion. and you have two towns in between with all the fast food joints, etc. to break at. | ||
| Jlnance |
try out Route 80 from Meadowview, VA to Rosedale, VA. Dude, you've been holding out:  I see the road you're talking about. I also see some road from Labanon to Davenport that looks great. And what is that road running through Tannersville? I feel the need for a fieldtrip. | ||
| Xbrad9r |
hey Jim, on the google map page where you got the map above, type in "meadowview, va to rosedale, va" in the search box and it will give you all the details. the road from Lebanon, VA to Davenport, VA is heavily traveled with coal trucks, and i haven't been on it in years, so i don't know the current condition of the road itself...though it would be an incredible ride. the road through Tannersville, is Hwy 91 you can actually come up from Shady Valley north on TN 133 which turns into VA US91. i am blessed to live in this area, there are lots of unbelievable roads that i don't have the time to check out and i like 421 so much, i usually just ride it on my days off...anyone that ever comes this way on a sunday, please pm me and let me know. | ||
| Xbrad9r |
jim, if you are planning a camping trip with this route in mind, type in Rosedale, VA to Breaks Interstate Park...it is a beautiful state park, that is called the "Grand Canyon of the south" with incredible overlooks, camping, lodging, restaurant, etc. if you notice the map, once you type in those directions, you can make a nice loop by heading towards Grundy-Vansant-Rowe-Honaker-back to Rosedale | ||
| Jlnance |
I don't know when, but I'm gonna do it. | ||
| Jlnance |
heavily traveled with coal trucks Obstacles  | ||
| Trac95ker |
one of the locals workin at the store where the dragon starts told me Tennessee is all pissed off because they don't get the tourism money. They get stuck paying for the police and ems services. He then told me a story about two Canadians who got ticketed in Tn. They actually came back for the court date which impressed the judge. The judge asked them where they stayed. They said Tn. The judge asked if they spent money in the state( fuel, food, hotel). They said yes. This pleased the judge and the fine was court costs plus spend more money on the same stuff while you are here. I think that is the key to having fun on the dragon. Personally, I liked the other roads better anyway, Wolf Penn gap rules. | ||
| Bigdaddy |
I went out and proof-rode a few routes for your new book Glitch. Absolutely great roads! The heat's bad even on top,,,,detoured down to the falls at Linville and crawled in the water. Just send me my next assignment and I'll be on it | ||
| Jimidan |
jim, if you are planning a camping trip with this route in mind, type in Rosedale, VA to Breaks Interstate Park...it is a beautiful state park, that is called the "Grand Canyon of the south" with incredible overlooks, camping, lodging, restaurant, etc. if you notice the map, once you type in those directions, you can make a nice loop by heading towards Grundy-Vansant-Rowe-Honaker-back to Rosedale And the roads ain't half bad either. KY/VA 80 from Elkhorn City, Ky to Haysi, VA is a hoot and takes you right past the Breaks Park, where you must check out some of the overlooks. You go over two mountain passes on this route, and if you are out there at a time other than when folks are going or coming back from work, you have the road to yourself. I have spent all day out there going back and forth between these two towns. I also kayak in the Russell Fork River down there in the canyon, and it is a hoot too. | ||
| Etennuly |
Meeting with Orangulius Sat 7:30 am at the Shoney's on Lamar Alexander pkwy. in Maryville Tn. Destination; back to your own home by 5:30, for me A/C and couch, nap, then pool. Tour direction will be decided as breakfast commenses'. Official rules for this unnamed unplanned ride; show up, enjoy comraderie and ride. | ||
| Glitch |
BigDaddy! Linville was one of my favorite Sunday morning runs. Only minutes from the house. I'll be up your way sometime this Fall. Hopefully our schedules won't clash. I'm seriously looking into this book. What I've found so far is a publisher. It's one that prints the books as needed. All sizes, paperback, hardcover, even spiral bound. Now I just have to find out about maps, who's I can use, who's I can't, and how much it'll be costing me. I guess I could Photoshop my own... Although it would be nice to be able to use Google's Hybrid maps, and Google Earth is way cool. |
