Route suggestion from Philly to Front Royal, VA

[kendenton]

Planning my first weeklong trip since I got back into riding - going to do Skyline Drive and BRP down to Deal's Gap and environs in the Spring.  

Looking to completely avoid I-95 and DC/Baltimore.  I'll be coming over either the Delaware Memorial or the Walt Whitman bridge.

Any good suggestions?  I was kinda thinking stopping at Catoctin SP in Thurmont, MD, but I don't have to.

Thanks!

PS - Whew, no one can say "search the forums!"

[MarcS]

Quick suggestion...avoid Delaware at all costs. I hate that state.

Honestly I'd recommend just sucking it up and slabbing it on 95. Make the best time you can, and then head west into West Virginia, riding the mountain twisties, and then hitting Skyline Drive. By the time you hit Deal's Gap, you'll be so sick and tired of mountain roads...

If I were making the trip, I'd slab down to DC, be a tourist, then west to WV, spend a day there, back east to Skyline Drive and BRP, spend 2 days getting to Deal's Gap, spend a day there, then a day or two slabbing it home, 81->66->95.

[Holiday]

yea, except for the very northern most part, Delaware is flat and boring. I'd suggest heading due west from philly into the lancaster area, perhaps to Carlise, then head south into maryland, west virginia, and down into VIrginia to Front Royal.

If you're looking for more specifics on the western suburbs and lancaster, drop me a note. Hell, if you're looking for a riding partner, i've been wanting to get the bike down that way for a while. i've been west, but not south. I'm in Chester County (West Chester).

[MikesBlackbird]

I did that trip last year and wanted to make time so I jumped on the turnpike and headed west to the Carlisle exit and headed south to Front Royal. I would stay away from anywhere near 95 south. Also, this year went to Raleigh via 95 south this past summer and it was horrible. What I thought would be a nice summer Sunday ride from the Philly area to NC was a ride from hell. From Raleigh headed west to TN, did Deals Gap and BRP then came up the western side of Va past Front Royal back to the turnpike and headed east. Much better ride.

[kendenton]

MarcS - thanks, but I'm not doing 95.  Done it umpteen times and it never fails to suck the life out of me.

Holiday and MikesBlackBird - heading out to Carlisle sounds like a good idea.

Holiday - you're getting a PM

[mackelbeast]

Quick suggestion...avoid Delaware at all costs. I hate that state.
..... then a day or two slabbing it home, 81->66->95.

I would also suggest to stay off 81 in Virginia. Truckers galore. I find I will take Route 11 unless I am in a big hurry. I would also aviod Delaware if you  making time. I did ride several rural roads in Delaware that went bad but if you are taking days off, make a jump to WV, Skyline Drive, Blue Ridge Parkway and points further south.

[ERR]

I did the same thing last Sept leaving from Princeton NJ. My advice is head west as fast as you can to West Virgina. Then head south through WV, VA, NC, to TN. WV roads are excellent just watch for gravel in corners.
 
IMHO Skyline drive is not worth the time and you have to pay a toll.
 
How long do you have for the trip?

[kendenton]

I'm figuring a week, more or less.  Plenty of time (I hope).  I don't mind the toll at Shenandoah, I have an annual National Parks Pass.  I'll skip I-81 as well, trying to completely avoid the slab.

[SuperHans]

Head west towards Gettysburg and then cut south. Stay the hell off 95 if you can.  

[Mr Bill]

SLD BRP is one of my favorite rides.  I hope to do it in the spring or fall of 2007.  My favorite things are no trucks, no billboards, no stop signs, curves curves and curves!

Usually I slab it down, but I'm thinking like you and hope to do the scenic route down this time.

[VAbikeguy]

How about going from Lancaster to York.  Then take US 30 West from York (is Lincoln Highway and turns into York Road) toward Gettysburg.  Just before you get to Gettysburg, take 15 South all the way to Frederick, MD.  From Frederick, pick up US 340 West through Harper's Ferry, MD (this leg is scenic).  Continue on US 340 South into VA and through Berrysville, VA.  Keep following US 340 South and you'll wind up in Front Royal in no time and to the northern most entrance to the Shenandoah National Park.  From there, ride the Skyline Drive to the Blue Ridge Parkway and enjoy.

[Blrfl]

Yeah, what VAbikeguy said.

I have a nice route that bypasses Skyline from Front Royal to Thornton Gap.  (Essentially it's 55 west to Fort Valley Road to Camp Roosevelt Road and onto SD at TG via Luray and 211.)  Lots more fun, no bluehairs, squids or enforcement.

--Mark

[kendenton]

Blrfl - sounds great.  I doubt I would want to do Skyline both directions anyway.

[noside]

VABikeguy has the ticket. I did that same route this past summer from Philly to Front Royal and it's very user friendly. Stopped in York to visit the HD plant, and the Harpers Ferry area near WVA/VA/MD borders is a great take. Depending on your schedule, Charlottesville VA is a great town to hang your hat for the night - college towns always are. Have a good trip.

[BradleyRas]

avoid 81-83-95

[TJConc]

Here's another endorsement for VABikeguy's route. I did a very similar route from Northern NJ earlier this year.Unlike some others, I would recommend doing Skyline Drive. That is, if you have never done it before. It is a nice ride. If you do it on a weekday, the traffic will be minimal. Then, you'll be able to check it off your "things I have to do in my lifetime list" without regret.

Have fun!

TJ