Ride Across Virginia - The Adventure Continues

[Fuzzy]

Posted a request for route recommendations across Virginia, but received none. Used motorcycleroads.com to plan route, and the recommendations were good. Here is map of route:


I started out up I-64 through tunnel to Hampton Roads. Exited on US-17 towards Yorktown. Road around the battlefield a bit. Here is the memorial that commemorates Washington's victory that ended our war for independence. Glad bygones are bygones and we are friends with British now.



From Yorktown I road the Colonial Parkway to Jamestown. It is a senic ride along the river past Williamsburg. Last time I road it was on a bicycle in 1974 when Navy sent me for weapons training in Damneck.

From Jamestown I road VA-5 towards Richmond. This is part of the popular Nickle Dime loop. The other road is VA-10 on the south side of James river. To do the loop from Richmond includes crossing the mouth of James River on a ferry. 5 was a pleasant, scenic ride though plantation country. Road quality great and no traffic on this Monday. Lots of U.S. history in the area. The historical road side markers were stacked up. Would have taken an extra day to stop and read all of them on the route.



Took I-895 south then VA-150 west to bypass Richmond. $3.00 toll to cross bridge over James River. Exited onto VA-60 west and made a lunch stop. After lunch turned right on Robious Rd leaving town. It turned into Huguenot Rd which was a great ride. Had to stop for a picture of this guy on his Acme 500.



Turned north on US-522 to cross the James River then west on VA-6. VA-6 and VA-60 make another popular loop west of Richmond again on both sides of James River. 6 was another good ride. It got twisty as it approached the Blueridgde Mts. 6 ended east of Waynesville about a mile from where the Blueridge Parkway meets Skyline drive. As the road climbed I started passing a lot of wineries.


I was behind schedule, but got on Skyline Drive anyway and road the southern 35 miles to US-33. Took 33 down west side of mountains and turned north on US-340. Followed 340 north along the Shenandoah River to dinner waiting wi t h the love of my life in Stephens City. It was a great day.

 

[Big Thump]

Outstanding pics and roads!

 

[Fuzzy]

Tuesday was day 2 sandwiched between 2 nights in same bed. Rained all day, but dduelin posted a tag of a distillery I wanted to claim...... at least that was my excuse for riding in rain.

Headed up 340 to Berryville, then east o VA-7 to Purceville for the tag.



A view inside:



After claiming tag headednorth on VA-9 that turned into WV-9. This was a great road both sides of border. Stopped just short of Charlestown for bonus points on the tag. This is more the style that fits stereotype of West Virginia. Up a steep gravel road in the woods. At one spot steep enough to give pause was a sign that stated "the throttle is your friend, keep going."

Here is the distillery





As both distilleries were closed on Tuesday morning I was able to keep rubber side down for the ride back. Headed back south on 340. Overall 100 mile loop for great morning.

Dropped below 30 overnight. Letting the sun get high before heading out. Plan to follow VA-40 near the West Virginia border to Back of the Dragon, then south into North Carolina. Hopefully I can stay warm enough to keep going.

 

[Old Can Ride]

Fuzzy you are now officially an Adventure RIDER. When you are hooked, as you now are, you will ride and ride only to RIDE some more. The open road is now your calling! See you on the road.

 

[NCer]

If you never been to West Virginia - the roads are GREAT there!

 

[Fuzzy]

If you never been to West Virginia - the roads are GREAT there!

They are. I have gone through north to south on 3 different roads and east to west on US - 50. Decided to try different route this time. Having lunch in Goshen, VA.


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[Fuzzy]

135 miles behind me. Waited until 10 to leave hoping for some warmth. So far thermometer has bounced briefly above 40 at best. Should get warmer this afternoon.

So far ride has been sweepers through farm land. Good pavement an minimal traffic. Slow going through Harrisonburg.

Some nice views

And some abandoned buildings.

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[L.B.S.]

"...Up a steep gravel road in the woods. At one spot steep enough to give pause was a sign that stated "the throttle is your friend, keep going."

Is this true? LOL! That's awesome! hahahaha

 

[SergeantChuck]

Thanks for the photos. I'll have to retire to take trips like this.

 

[Fuzzy]

Is this true? LOL! That's awesome! hahahaha

Totally true. Should have taken a picture.

 

[frozenpoet]

I was just in the Harrisonburg area today, and stephens city is just 10 miles up the road from where I live. I haven't been stalking this site in a while and missed the planning.

 

[Fuzzy]

I was just in the Harrisonburg area today, and stephens city is just 10 miles up the road from where I live. I haven't been stalking this site in a while and missed the planning.

Shucks.

Hopefull will see you at SGT.

 

[frozenpoet]

Shucks.

Hopefull will see you at SGT.

I plan on being there.

 

[Fuzzy]

After lunch continued southwest to Clifton Forge. Road came into a T with no sign which way 42 went. I have found secondary roads in Virginia to be lacking in 2 things: 1st is passing zones. As if paid by the gallon of paint and if they put gaps in yellow line for passing they use less paint. Some longgggg straight stretchs with solid lines. 2nd is road signs. Spent all the money on historical markers I guess. Left guessing many miles if on correct road. Official state road map little help with next "42" showing another 40 miles southwest. Individual roads often have multipe designations and gps liked names over numbers and the same road has many names as miles pass with none of them on the state map.

But all is well and OCR is right.

I tried to find roads map indicated would get back to 42, but never saw it again. Did ride lots of great roads just don't ask me which ones or to find my way back. Put Tazewell and shortest route in gps and let it lead me. Losts of good riding making progress. It was coal country.


Tazewell is north end of The Back Of The Dragon. 33 miles of pure fun south on VA-16.

Rising above Tazwell entering the back.


My heart and tires skipped a beat several times leaned over in curves and finding gravel puled on road from shoulder. Two climbs and descents on the road.

Overlooking Hungry Mother Park starting descent to Marion.


Found dinner and hotel in Marion. Another 320 miles of back roads and another great day.

Tomorow I heax cor Blueridge Motorcycle Campround and a couple days riding with friends.

 

[SergeantChuck]

I love that sign. Angry Mother State Park. LOL. Just kidding. It's Hungry Right?

 

[dduelin]

42 is one of my favorite roads. Nearly 120 miles of delight.

 

[Fuzzy]

[/SIZE]

I love that sign. Angry Mother State Park. LOL. Just kidding. It's Hungry Right?

Close. Sorry my bike covered part of sign.

It is: "Hungry Mother State Park."

A legend states that when the Native Americans destroyed several settlements on the New River south of the park, Molly Marley and her small child were among the survivors taken to the raiders’ base north of the park. They eventually escaped, wandering through the wilderness eating berries. Molly finally collapsed, and her child wandered down a creek. Upon finding help, the only words the child could utter were "Hungry Mother." When the search party arrived at the foot of the mountain where Molly had collapsed, they found the child's mother dead. Today, that mountain is Molly’s Knob (3,270 feet), and the stream is Hungry Mother Creek.

 

[SergeantChuck]

[/SIZE]
Close. Sorry my bike covered part of sign.

It is: "Hungry Mother State Park."

Yea, I was joking. I thought it was funny that your mirror just happened to be covering the first couple letters and the first thing that came ot mind was angry. LOL. I looked it up and found that it was Hungry. You've never seen an angry mother at a park?

 

[Fuzzy]

You've never seen an angry mother at a park?

Not this week.

 

[Old Can Ride]

I've been on the road the last few days myself, so I have not got to see all your post, but what I have seen is great!