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America.Rides.Maps

Seeking Backroads - NC to VA and Back

'Friday October 22nd, 2021 15:30'
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jackie4737
3 years ago
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Oct 21 - I have the up and back routes laid out and loaded into our GPS's. The ride up Friday is the challenge as Jackie can't get out of here until 3 PM (a.k.a after that) and we want to arrive before dark which is a little before 7 PM. I could cut it shorter though I really want to explore the new roads, after all, that's the point.

As for Saturday, I'm adding the roads I think would be really interesting to explore. We've already ridden a lot of the area. We're getting into territory where short unpaved sections of road seem to be common. While my primary goal is to locate the paved roads, we may stray onto gravel at times. 
Yermo
3 years ago
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buffalo
3 years ago
buffalo is watching.
gcraigm
3 years ago
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Oct 20 - I'm still too focused on work. I need to pull together the routes tomorrow.

The route up will do. I'm playing with the route back but haven't stumbled upon just the right feel. Saturday is still wide open. 
Oct 18 - Busy weekend, start of a busy week. 

I've got our Friday ride laid out on the trip planning map. We're getting a late afternoon start and fall days are shorter. We have to optimize out time.

Google says the highway routes will take about 2:35 hours. That's the benchmark. I could lay out a more direct route using backroads we know but the goal of this trip is to map new roads. I figure I can do this without adding much more than half an hour.

The green section on the planning map (https://miles-by-motorcycle.com/13640/rides/259617/seek...) is new roads to ride and explore. One in particular I have high hopes for. 

  
Oct 16 - The purpose of this weekend trip is to explore new ways to travel from our home area in Waynesville, North Carolina, to common motorcycle destinations in Virginia AVOIDING any interstate highway or 4 lane highway  riding and not add significant time to cover the distance.

We've found lodging in Damascus and Tazewell, Virginia. Damascus, Virginia is a key location for adventure riders as the MABDR starts there. A lot of motorcycle riders come to or end up at this town. Tazewell, Virginia is the origin of the "Back of the Dragon" Motorcycle ride and is another destination for riders. We've made numerous trips there and we're still not done exploring all the wonderful roads in the surroundings.

(My wife) Jackie won't be able to leave until 3-3:30 PM Friday, and we'll need to be back by mid-day Sunday.

Now I need to lay out each days riding. The ride Friday is tight on time, I have pondered some options that put me on unexplored roads and make use of really good roads I already know. I'm not sure what to do with the full day Saturday. Sunday, we need to find that efficient route home from Tazewell on new roads. We already know one way that we really enjoyed. I want to explore adjacent roads to see if they are better or not to develop the optimal route.

Tomorrow I'll start laying out routes and posting the maps. 
Oct 15 - Jack be Nimble

Some trips are planned well in advance. It's a proven method for success. Others come upon you when opportunity knocks. This trip is one such opportunity.