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FoFo

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I have 8 days in spring to ride. I'll be starting out from DFW and God be willing ending in DFW. I've thought about heading west through the rockies towards pacific coast highway. Then north and looping back around through Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, back to Texas. This area I've seen in the past. So I started thinking about heading east towards the Appalachian mountains. Possibly through Tennessee, Virginia's, etc.

Where should I go? Must hits?

Thanks!
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
I live in Illinois which is about like living in any other flatland location. You are within easy striking distance of the Blueridge parkway in the smokies and places like the Pig Trail in the NW corner of Arkansas. The old rounded mountains of the entire east side of the US have great riding roads. There are sites devoted to helping you find great riding areas in each state so you need to decide to go east or maybe to explore more areas of the western states like the Kings Canyon and Sequoia parks in California. Have you ever been in a temperate rain forest like can be found on the Olympic peninsula of Washington? So many choices, so little time.
You couldn't have said it better. So many choices so little time. I have been to the Olympic Peninsula when I was a kid. No doubt it was amazing. Even dug for clams and oysters.

I've heard so much about rides in the east as you just pointed out. I'm going east. Seems Arkansas and Tennessee are a must. You mentioned Pig Trail and Blueridge Parkway. I've read a ton on here about Blueridge Parkway.

Where in North Carolina?
 
Discussion starter · #12 ·
Spring runs from Mar 21 thru June 21. Riding in the Rocky mountains in early spring may be treacherous. Denver can drown in snow in April. The Pacific Coast highway may be really chilly in the spring as well. Just saying...

Have a safe ride wherever you point your steed.
Great points! I'll be riding end of march. So heading east seems to make even more sense. How are the smokies late march/early april?
 
Discussion starter · #14 ·
This fall we road the Snake in North Carolina and also the Back of the Dragon starting in Marion Va. Rt 16 goes from Marion to Tazwell and further into West Virginia up to rt 52. Coal Mining country. Great road with lots of twisties. Check out the maps on ClawOfTheDragon.com for rides
Is this around Skyline drive?
 
Discussion starter · #15 ·
So, what's the dates or from when to when. Is it open ended? Going alone? Spouse?
Currently heading out on 3/28 needing to be back on 4/5. Wife's not coming, will be taking care of the little ones, although I wish she was. Alone at the moment. Idea is to get a little much needed rest and relaxation. And what better way than to ride through our beautiful country.
 
Discussion starter · #17 · (Edited)
Ok, I'm making a list. I'll eventually study a map and see how these connect and which ones I can hit. But here's what I have so far:

Blueridge Parkway, TN
Pig Trail, AR
Snake, NC
Skyline Drive, VA

Added:
Rt. 16/Marion, VA
Talimena Scenic Drive, OK/AR
 
Discussion starter · #23 ·
This fall we road the Snake in North Carolina and also the Back of the Dragon starting in Marion Va. Rt 16 goes from Marion to Tazwell and further into West Virginia up to rt 52. Coal Mining country. Great road with lots of twisties. Check out the maps on ClawOfTheDragon.com for rides
Found Marion and rt. 16. Wow! That looks like a ride. Going on the list. Man I can't wait!
 
Discussion starter · #29 ·
@FoFo Try Arkansas.gov web site, they have a whole section dedicated to bike rides.

Also plan your trip so that early in the morning you are heading North by North East or West.
If you travel East you will have the morning sun in your eyes.
Around noon or later than head Easterly.
Good stuff! Thanks.
 
Discussion starter · #33 ·
I don't want to rain (or snow) on the parade but late March/ early April may require some heated gear. Check out "Blue Ridge Parkway Weather Forecast". This site gives you not only weather info but is a detailed guide to what you might find along the whole 469 miles. Although the weather info is specific to the towns along the Parkway, you will get a general idea of Spring in the East. The temps up on the Parkway run about 10 to 15 degrees cooler than in the valleys. Very pleasant in the Summer but not so much in the Spring.
Also, if you find you don't have time to run the entire 469 miles, my humble opinion is that the North Carolina portion offers the best riding. And, being farther South, warmer weather.
I'm sure you'll figure out a way to burn up those 8 days and I wish you a good time and a safe journey. View attachment 90561
Great stuff brother. This will definitely help plan the ride out. Thanks!
 
Discussion starter · #34 ·
Order yourself a couple Butler maps. Motorcycle Maps & Motorcycle Routes | Butlermaps.com Find area maps and then ozarks and southern appalachia

Tons of good riding in eastern OK, northwest and north central Arkansas, north Georgia, Eastern Kentucky, TN and NC. Check out the national parks. They are parks for a reason. You can look at the google terrain map and get an idea where some good roads would be. I've done this lots of times and there are awesome non publicized roads off the beaten path. Look for other memorable things to do, like waterfalls, ferry crossings, and roads that follow a river, and neat places to stay, like the one I stayed at yesterday, the 1929 hotel seville in Harrison, AR.
1929 Hotel Seville - The beautiful historic Seville maintains the iconic ...

Highway 309 in Arkansas takes you to the highest point in arkansas with views for miles and miles. There's a lodge up there as well. Might be on the more expensive side, but worth it. There's one on the talimena too.

The appalacians start in north Georgia. It's a good ride from north west georgia to north central. Check out wolf pen gap road.

Another option might be the desert. If you like fast and no traffic there's some awesome places to ride, like stove pipe wells, and death valley. Find the historical temperature averages on places like intellicast.

Safe Travels!
Wow! Just added 1929 Hotel Seville in Harrison, AR to the list. Could be the first night stop. Thanks, great info!
 
Discussion starter · #35 ·
Updated list:
1. Blueridge Parkway, TN
2. Pig trail, AR
3. Snake, NC
4. Talimena, OK
5. Rt.16/Marion, VA
6. 1929 Hotel Seville, Harrison, AR
 
Discussion starter · #44 ·
TN, GA, NC a MUST...PM "Mountainrider", won't find a nicer guy AND guide. If think tires marginal before trip put new ones on, LOTS of curves and you'll want good tread. PM me to, might also meet you. My buddy and I always make it a point to go there every year, for past 9 years and to add twice this year. Last trip down we met "Mountainrider" and his buddy Randy....had a GREAT ride, next time hoping for more then one day with him/them.:dance:
10-4! That would be great!! Keep an eye out as we get closer.
 
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