Chuck78

Wow. Most of this is a bit further south of where we were planning to focus, but is enticing me to hit the Blue Ridge Parkway more and more. Besides US33, what other roads in that area can you recommend the most??? 250, Snowshoe, 33, smoke hole canyon, highland scenic highway, 39/55, etc????

Earchache, please tell me more! I watched a three part youtube video of riding "Hungry Mother," and it looked pretty awesome, and the riders only commented on one area of bad pavement over the 3 mountain or foothill ridge crossings. If you can recommend roads a lot better than that, I'd love to hear. I'm considering focusing more time on the NE portion of WVa near the Va border, 250/33/150/39/15 etc, especially due to more scenic mountain views in that area, but WV-16 north of Hungry Mother State Park still looks like a rippin' road up and down, and even a stretch far north of that in the lesser magnitude of hills on a video of a Pontiac Solstice drive looked really great. So if there are roads way better than that, we have 5 or maybe 6 days to ride lots of them and see a lot of sights, so please indulge me with more information!

Cool, well thanks for the tips. Is US-58 "all that?" Maybe I should focus more on the US33 area? I want to take in amazing scenery AND hit some great technical roads with some roads full of twisties

I did a virtual ride-through using google streetview, & there were some pretty intense hill climbs around the Virginia section north of Marion, VA & Hungry Mother State Park, satellite view looks like mountain ranges. No mountains in the WVa portion of 16 though.

I've never ridden longer than about 5-6 hours of Hocking Hills State Forest or Wayne National Forest type roads on a day trip, and that's with breaks. What's everyone's opinion on this schedule in terms of fatigue from riding some very technical roads?: day #1 9+ hours saddle time, getting into pretty technical roads the second half of the trip day #2 4 hours white water rafting, relax and explore before and after day #3 5 hours of twisties and mountain riding with breaks day #4 6-7 hours riding time some mountains, some easier roads, may shorten by an hour & ride an interstate for 90 miles between worthwhile mountain regions. day #5 4-??? hours of really great mountain riding, not a lot of necessary distance to cover, lots of mountains to explore in this area day #6 1hr mountains, 6-7 hours head back towards SE OH & home on backroads We could depart the afternoon before and camp out in Wayne National Forest to shave 4 hours off of the day 2 riding time and give ourselves plenty of time to rest up for the strenuous white water adventures and twisties ahead.

Day 4 of the trip was a little more difficult to plan, as there isn't a whole lot in the Wytheville to Roanoake areas that is as outstanding as the better choice of roads on the trip, but I think I've pieced together a good stretch. http://goo.gl/maps/VzJlI Continuing from our camping spot on the Mighty Python stretch of US-58 and following the base of 2 of the top 3 tallest mountains in the Eastern US on VA-16 Northbound up to County Rd 622 Nicks Creek Rd to a short 25 minute time saver on the Interstate up to US-52 in Wytheville, which winds around the side of a mountain and then eventually to WV-61, which looks like a winding valley road through farmland in between two mountain ranges. As that ends in Narrows, WV, head south to VA-42 and take that east until it intersects with VA-311, which is another really great and scenic mountain road. Heading to WV-150 Highland Scenic Highway after that, take I64W a short jog west to catch 92n to 39w to WV-150N. This is a breathtakingly scenic and really fun motorcycle motorcycle road worth the extra mileage. If we wanted to cut to the chase and skip the 3-star roads to shave 1 hour of riding time off to save energy for the 5-star roads, we could cut the entire riding time down to 5.5 hours if after VA-16N, we just stayed on the superslab of I-81E for 90 miles to get to WV-311N. I think I may keep this as an option based on how we're feeling. The Highland Scenic Highway is going to require a lot of rest stops to take in the view, so I hear, and we will still need time to set up camp for the night, which I have yet to determine any locations near WV-150, so that may be more riding time. This will free up day 5 for going all-out to tour & explore the Monongahela National Forest and the really great Allegheny mountains around there, as well as probably end up at Smoke Hole Rd to camp there and explore. The last day of the trip, we get to tackle the best stretch of US-33 that exists, named by the AMA aas being in their Top 15 best roads in the US, from the eastern end of the mountains east of Smoke Hole Rd all the way over to the other end of the mountains and towards the Ohio River Valley.

I've run out of planning time today, but it looks like we'll take US-58 and then head towards Wytheville, Va http://goo.gl/maps/43qy3 either on the scenic sweepers US-21 north into the city, or the twisty VA-94 that is on the eastern edge of the city. From Wytheville, it looks like US-52 National Scenic Highway west of Wytheville cuts across the side of Walker Mountain and up towards West Virginia, where we could stay on the northwestern side of the mountain ranges by catching VA-61 northeast to Narrows, VA if we don't find any other really amazing routes to the southeast of there (trying to stay a little closer to home since there are a million awesome twisty and scenic roads all over this part of the country). From 58, we could potentially make directions real simple and just hit the epic scenery and altitudes of the Blue Ridge Parkway southeast of Wytheville, but it eventually turns into Skyline Drive a while after the BRP turns into a really awesome but easy to ride mountain ridge road, and I don't want to pay the Skyline Drive $10 pass fee for a slow tourist road, as I will have plenty of other breathtaking scenery on the more fun-to-ride twisties, sweepers, and mountains. This is where I ask myself, "Am I insane for trying to ride mosty twisties and big hills and mountains for 5 or so days straight??? Maybe aiming for some curvey but easy relaxing scenic roads may be a good mix?" As far as the Blue Ridge Parkway, it's the eastern-most mountain range, and looking a little way northwest of there across some more relaxed terrain, there are a half a dozen mountain peaks that run parallel curving more northward as you follow them east, and they basically go nonstop through Jefferson National Forest, George Washington National Forest, AND the Monongahela National Forest!!! Triple-awesome:) It think it seems like a fair goal to try and ride in and out of that area. as we curve more and more NE/N-NE, and then cut back NW through Monongahela towards Ohio/home. EDIT: If we proceed with this general route, I have 3 options from Mt Rogers/The Mighty Python - one is that route, second is take 16N to the interstate to VA311 to shave an hour of riding time to save for the best roads ahead, and 3 would be go from US58 to the Blue Ridge Parkway to Roanoke and then catch VA-311 If going that route, WV20 from Clarksburg to New Martinsville on the Ohio River may be a good end to the WV portion from Monongahela I've gathered a lot of other tips I've been reading on roads that sounded very worth riding, and the user reviews on motorcycleroads.us really help out especially when there are a large amount of comments on a route. Here are a few other tips and options that I haven't researched yet, from my notes:

http://goo.gl/maps/6xBlc WV-16 is highly recommended Ohio into Virginia (excellent mix of all styles of riding - twisties, valleys, roller coasters, sweepers, & mountain climbs to the south), especially the southern part from Tazwell, VA to the Back of the Dragon double or triple mountain crossings leading to Hungry Mother Lake State Park I read one guy's trip through WVa, and he said that road was the highlight of the whole trip despite some varying pavement conditions, "many sections are not for beginners." I think we're going to do 8-10 hours riding the first day, taking the 669/78/260/26/ArchersForkRd route through SE OH, and then WV-16 all the way to the New River Gorge - although after Brownsville, I hear the town of Gauley Bridge is a NOTORIOUS speed trap. I mapped a westward jog around it and across the River to view Kanahwa Falls, and then across again to Hawks Nest State Park and southward into the New River Gorge area for camping in the State Parks and rafting the following day. Departing the New River Gorge area, I believe a few of our National Park Service campsite options are close to WV-41, which winds down through a gorge and intersects with the New River Gorge. This leads us into the town of Beckley, where we will pick up WV-16 again all the way into VA-16 to Hungry Mother State Forest and it's awesome looking double mountain crossings! I had planned on taking lots of time around here the day after the New River whitewater will have worn us out, but seeing how great US-58 The Mighty Python National Scenic Highway sounds as it goes through two of the highest mountain peaks in the eastern US, with Bear Claw Holler Bikers Rest Stop & motorcycle store and camping off of 58 not too far from Hungry Mother State Park, this is quickly making me pretty definite on not camping at Hungry Mother and continue with one or two more hours of riding that day to camp off of Jeb Stuart Hwy at US-58- http://goo.gl/maps/lQ8bO This may be the most definite plan, as this area was the end of my concrete plans, with an east or west decision to be made. A somewhat long ride west would take us to the amazingly beautiful Cherohala Skyway and the over-crowded over-policed 35mph Tail of the Dragon, but with the mountains to the east and a leaning towards a focus on West Virginia, those options have lost favor with me. I added the option to extend the day's ride to 421 The Snake's "33 miles 489 curves 3 mountains 1 valley" by taking a superslab a little west to hit The Snake eastbound and jog north to US-58 after, may be an option to hit if we decide we don't mind some real loooonnnnggg saddle time the day we depart the New River Gorge area, but I think I am planning to camp here a little way into US-58 that night.

Lots of inspiring photos, but I didn't see any maps. Maybe if I had a facebook account, I could see more links to maps and such?

I've been to Wayne several times, but the Hocking Hills area is almost like our backyard playland, 40 minutes the backroad route until we start to get into the fun hills W/SW of Lancaster To keep time down for more West Virginia riding and time to relax, I think we'll come out of Columbus on 204e to 757s to Somerset and pick up 669 and follow your route to 78, saving the breathtaking (Burr Oak St Prk) views for a few hours later in WVA. Then catch 260s off of 78e, and probably veer off on 26 sw. Is there any good fun paved road that will take me from midway on 26 directly south to Newport/St Mary's? That would shave off some backtracking distance if we didn't have to ride backwards to Marietta. It's always questionable trying to plan a route on back roads that could be gravel or in terrible condition. Thanks

When I'm on 260 and get to the intersection of 26, is 26 southwest of there going to be a substantially more fun road than if I were just to continue on with 260? The southern part of 26 there looks to be one of the best roads in the state just. based on looking at maps!

When I picked 78 @ Burr Oak State Park as one of the points to drag the map to, google automatically then routed me south on 555 S to 550 E to Marietta/St Mary's. It's an extra hour to go the route I had in mind taking 78 E to 260 to the river, even more to take 260S to 26 SW to Marietta and back east to St Mary's/Newport. I wasn't too impressed with mostly tar and chip portions of 555 I have been on but many rave about the road. Is it worth an extra hour or more to take 78/260 and maybe 26? Scenery and fun roads are a plus. deforested farmland and lack of twisties and great sweepers is not a big goal... Tough to find heavily forested foothills in that part of SE OH

Cool, thanks for the tips. We actually rode that area December 1st, but skipped 669 east of 555. You're saying to detour north off of 78 on 555, then back too 78 on 669? I thought 78 was one of the better overall roads in that area, and due to it being so long with highlights all over, it seemed like a perfect candidate for a long road trip to keep directions simple. And I really wanted to ride the section around Burr Oak State Park, despite the deforestation, the views were incredible for Ohio terrain. Whaddya think of 78 to 260 South (and maybe catch OH-26 on a few hour detour) to the river, then backtrack east to Newport/St Mary's to catch WV16? 260 sounds alright, no super technical turns. 26 has been on my must ride list for a little while. 800 isn't too much further if 260 is no good.

THANKS! Great articles!

It looks to be 5 hours south to get to the tail of the Dragon, which apparently is now 35mph & double yellow lines the whole way, with lots of speed traps - especially on the Tennessee side. Also probably pretty heavily travelled, all of which make it less appealing, but I see you can link up to the Cherohala Skyway south of the Dragon for a desolate 51 mile mountain ridge ride to mile high elevations with endless sweepers and breathtaking views. This sounds pretty amazing and makes a cautious law abiding ride through the 'Dragon more worth it. The Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive I have very fond memories of from a childhood trip 25 years ago, but Skyline drive is a heavily travelled tourist road with lots of slow traffic (I recall doing 5mph many times while driving through clouds), wildlife, and it costs $10 for a week pass to enter the area. This makes it a little less appealing, as a motorcycle blogger on the tail of the dragon website reassured me of. The scenery was pretty amazing though. The same blogger said that in no way did it compare to the Blue Ridge Parkway south of there for riding. The Blue Ridge Parkway is quite a ways away from The New River Gorge area, but we are doing a 4-5 day trip. Keeping it concentrated in the WVa/Tail of the Dragon area wouldn't be a bad thing though. A Suzuki GS Resources Forum member gave the advice "I will never ride the Blue Ridge ParkingLot or Tail of the Staties again with it's 318 cops in 11 miles" despite both being on the AMA's list of top 15 best motorcycle roads in America.

My wife and a few buddies and I are planning on a 4-5 day motorcycle trip in late May, from our homes in central Ohio through the Wayne National Forest area and into West Virginia to go white water rafting at the New River Gorge for one day, and spend the rest of the trip riding fun mountain roads, sightseeing, camping, and hiking. It's a birthday trip for two of us as well I think we'll be taking OH-78 across SE Ohio and then possibly ditching it before the WVa border and maybe linking up to one of the 3 or 4 or so really amazing stretches of road that go through the hills and down to the Ohio River (800, 255, and 536 - never have been that way on motorcycle yet!), and then linking up with WV-16 to the New River Gorge area. I'm open to a better route than 78, although I am very fond of it. I was hoping some of you might have some highly recommended roads and routes beyond that, as well as scenic hikes and excellent primitive camping location recommendations. Any suggestions and advice are greatly appreciated. Looking to one-up the really great twisties and sweepers of SouthEastern Ohio since we will be travelling quite a distance, trying to take in a mix of fun and challenging roads as well as breathtaking scenery.

Here's a nice long afternoon ride that stays close to Columbus, along Riverside Dr up into Delaware and across several bodies of water, then back south to central Columbus: http://goo.gl/maps/R0VdE - click on Satellite view for best results That's the route I was going to try to do today to take a break from my major house renovation projects, but relatives from out of town invited themselves over instead... Hope to do this soon on a warm winter day, gotta love global warming. cOoTeR, is that parking lot to the cliffs trail that you mentioned the one just to the west of the north end of Hogback Rd? Or is it somewhere along Hogback Rd? I didn't quite see on the maps where there were fun twisty segments of 4, 203, or 257. I mapped it out to cut across Delaware Lake, Alum Creek Lake, hit Hogback Rd, cut over to Hoover Reservoir, and then south down Sunbury Rd/Red Bank Rd and back to Sunbury Rd. This starts and finishes near my house just east of downtown, but you could pick up the route at Riverside Dr and Lane Ave and end it at Sunbury Rd and 5th Ave.