Route(s) from D.C. to Birmingham

[Id's_OK]

Hey Guys,

 

Looks like I found my new ride over at ADV Rider, a 2008 GS w/ABS that you can see HERE. It's in Northern Virginia, and I'm hoping to fly up Friday night, close the deal Saturday morning, ride home Saturday and Sunday.

 

Of course, I know the NC/BRP/N. GA/E. TN area pretty well, but not so much VA. My most likely path would take me generally toward Charlottesville and Roanoake and Asheville, though I'd avoid the actual cities. But I could go south from DC, then west through SC and NC, or west from DC, and cut through W.VA.

 

So if any of you route gurus have suggestions for getting from the D.C. area to N. Alabama, avoiding major (i.e. boring) highways and crowds, I'm all ears. Since this will be a completely weekend ride, I thought I should probably avoid the Blue Ridge Pkwy...thoughts? Any and all suggestions most appreciated. Thanks!

[johnlt]

The BRP starts in Front Royal. It's beautiful but a long pretty slow ride. You can take it all the way to Cherokee NC. If you don't take all of it, I'd recommend you at least do some of it.

[Glenn Reed]

I would go west ASAP and stay away from I-95.

[Id's_OK]

Thanks, John. I might try and catch part of the pkwy in VA, the part I've never been on, but I think it might be too crowded, as is often the case in the Spring.

[Id's_OK]

Thanks, Glenn. So, would that be all the way to W VA, or just enough to get away from DC Metro? I know there are a lot of great roads in WV, but I'll be there for Rubber Chicken, and I don't want to miss VA, since that's one state I've hardly ridden.

[aterry1067]

I can highly recommend 311 through Jefferson natl Forest. And 16 between Tazewell and Marion. And while 16 is great, there is a road just as good, if not better, that comes in the back way to marion, Hwy 52, Stoney Fork Rd. (52 to 42. 52 doesn't go to marion). Google search BW Country Store in Wytheville. There aren't many "bad" roads in that area, especially on a GS. Some more sporty than others. My suggestion would be to pick out a few roads you know you want to hit, and the rest just set the GPS to "avoid highways." That can make for an interesting trip.

 

Good luck, and keep us posted!

[Glenn Reed]

Thanks, Glenn. So, would that be all the way to W VA, or just enough to get away from DC Metro? I know there are a lot of great roads in WV, but I'll be there for Rubber Chicken, and I don't want to miss VA, since that's one state I've hardly ridden.

 

Looks like aterry has been very specific, but all I was trying to say was to get west of DC metro/suburbs as quickly as possible, and do so to the west. I abhor the congestion/traffic around there, even on a Saturday. When I went to the Fall BRR, I went west (in MD) to US 15 and took it all the way to Raleigh NC. Even a road like that was much more relaxing than anything around DC.

 

I am trying to make the RCR, so maybe we will meet up. Hope the GS turns out to be perfect for you and the trip back goes smoothly.

[aterry1067]

Totally agree. Get west of DC as soon as possible. Anything east is still traffic congestion.

 

[Id's_OK]

Thanks again, guys. I'll put some time in with maps and MapSource, but guidance from friends can't be beat! Looks like I'll be heading over to WV, which is just fine with me. Even if the coal companies keep cutting down the mountains, the mountain roads remain in all their twisty goodness.

[Foot]

Chris the Skyline Drive starts in Front Royal not the BRP. It is fairly heavily patrolled and the speed limit is 35 plus there is a toll!

 

Alan

[Id's_OK]

Thanks, Alan. 35 is pretty ridiculous, since I do have to make it home by Sunday night. I may just head west into WV, then south from there through your neck of the woods, or plateau in your case. Still a little up in the air, but lots of good choices between A and B.