The first day of our trip takes us to Floyd, Virginia, a small rural crossroads town about 8 miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway junction with VA 8 at milepost 165, a.k.a. Tuggles Gap. Here we will meet our partner Yermo at the Hotel Floyd. The three of us will be traveling together for several days. Jackie and I commonly ride the Blue Ridge Parkway north from home when we want to get to Floyd. It's a comfortable day ride.

Having done that many times, I've decided to go another way.  It will make the day more challenging and interesting, throw in a couple new roads I've been wanting to scout, and it runs us through both The Rattler (NC 209)  and The Snake (TN 421).

Here's what it looks like -

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3 years ago

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Lake Junaluska, NC to Floyd, VA on small backroads.

Jackie and Wayne rode this route on July 17 seeking a way to get from home to the Hotel Floyd on small backroads.

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I routed this way as I wanted to start a trip with a really great road rather than a highway slog. NC 209, The Rattler, is 5 minutes from our front door. We'll run it to Hot Springs, NC then continue on to Flag Pond, TN. We do have an option to hop on I-26 to continue north, but it wont cost us much time to ride through Erwin and Unicoi, TN, on the two lane roads. I haven't been through these towns in a while. 

I then route specifically to pick up a few new roads close in to Johnson City and Elizabethton, TN, to add to my database and maybe my motorcycle ride maps.

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6 years ago

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An Evening Motorcycle Ride on The Snake

US 421, a.k.a. "The Snake" is a wonderful mountain ride. We passed through one evening this week. What a fun road!

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I've not ridden "The Snake" in a while, and the Shady Valley Country Store is a nice rest spot. I then purposely routed us to Jefferson so I can show Jackie Old US 16. It's a good road that I know she'll enjoy.

Finally I do my best to avoid passing through Galax and Hillsville, VA, they are too congested on weekends, then pick up a new road and follow an old favorite to bring us into Floyd.

Floyd, VA

Please add comments, suggestions, as I ride this in a few days. Thanks.

Article by Wayne Busch, America Rides Maps

We produce detailed maps of the best roads to enjoy on your motorcycle travels in the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains. Get the maps at America Rides Maps.com