Bucket List Request - Appalachia

[GilaMonster]

Hi all,

As I enter my 6th decade, my bucket list still awaits an Appalachian tour.  Since I have to cross the middle states (read Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, or Nebraska) and all it's excitement, I would like to ask region members what are the must see's in Appalachia.  I am tentatively starting in Chattanooga for the tour.  What's the best to ride and see on a sports tourer?  Also, what time of year is best?

[Corbeau]

The beauty of Appalachia is that the mountains are actually a set of repeating valleys and ridges. Viewed from above, one could be reminded of corduroy.

That means that thoroughfares are at the bottom (and parallel too) the valleys: think of I-81, which I hope is not on your bucket list.

The flip side is that each time a road -- usually based on an old native footpath -- crosses the ridge, you're in twisties galore territory. One could zig-zag his way up the Appalachian Mountains having a lot of fun.  

[Ga-Bandit]

Here are some maps

http://www.tailofthedragonmaps.com/

[TriumphTiger1050]

Hard to say because there is so much just on the NC part of it.  Not to mention TN; VA; SC; GA.  But a few point to take in.........The Dragon; The BRP; Mt. Mitchell ride to the top; the many waterfalls accessible by bike (some down some nice packed gravel roads); off the beaten path I have a road 19W from Yancey County that is winding that goes into TN around Erwin that is nice.

Overall, so much to do that I could never type enough!  Just ride and get lost in it all with no real destination.  Which reminds me..........Buzzard Rock in Asheville!  The ride not so great to the top per say but the view from the rocks once there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[garry]

Here is rough loop of the areas I would hit for the best twisty riding. The loop begins/ends in Eureka Springs. The riding is pretty straight and flat west of there I think unless you play in the Texas Hill Country. Here is the loop (very close to what I did for the STN National in 2008):

Eureka Springs
Slab to Barber Museum in Birmingham via Memphis
Blood Mtn/etc in north Georgia
Cherohala Skyway
Deals Gap
"The Snake" (421 in Shady Valley, TN)
Blue Ridge Parkway (at least the part south of Virginia)
Explore the great twisties that run up/down the mountain to/from the BRP
The region around the WV/VA border is great (311, 39, 250, 33)
Explore central WV (Seneca Rocks area)
Head west to southeast OH
Head south through eastern Kentucky
Head west across southern KY (just north of TN border)
160 across southern Missouri back to Eureka Springs

[jay547]

Here is rough loop of the areas I would hit for the best twisty riding. The loop begins/ends in Eureka Springs. The riding is pretty straight and flat west of there I think unless you play in the Texas Hill Country. Here is the loop (very close to what I did for the STN National in 2008):

Eureka Springs
Slab to Barber Museum in Birmingham via Memphis
Blood Mtn/etc in north Georgia
Cherohala Skyway
Deals Gap
"The Snake" (421 in Shady Valley, TN)
Blue Ridge Parkway (at least the part south of Virginia)
Explore the great twisties that run up/down the mountain to/from the BRP
The region around the WV/VA border is great (311, 39, 250, 33)
Explore central WV (Seneca Rocks area)
Head west to southeast OH
Head south through eastern Kentucky
Head west across southern KY (just north of TN border)
160 across southern Missouri back to Eureka Springs

i like this. i wonder how much time off one would need to do it?

[sammyseaman]

i like this. i wonder how much time off one would need to do it?

 

[jfurf]

I think I'd go with Asheville instead of Chattanooga. Just because I like Asheville so much. It's smaller, easy to get around (Chattanooga traffic can be rough, actually) and RIGHT on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Plus in the summer Asheville is chock full of bikes and generally has a nice laid-back outdoorsy character. Very riding-friendly city.

Nearly every road south and west of Asheville down into North Georgia is good riding.

[napper]

Entering 6th decade = 50 years old.

I'm just sayin'.

[garry]

i like this. i wonder how much time off one would need to do it?

My trip to/from Pittsburgh for the STN National was 10 days, 3600 miles or so. You can read my trip report with lots of photos and road info:

http://www.motoroads.net/reports/STN08.htm

[GilaMonster]

Entering 6th decade = 50 years old.

I'm just sayin'.

So I was a bit inaccurate.  Would you believe 62 and counting......

[BentAero]

I think I'd go with Asheville instead of Chattanooga. Just because I like Asheville so much. It's smaller, easy to get around (Chattanooga traffic can be rough, actually) and RIGHT on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Plus in the summer Asheville is chock full of bikes and generally has a nice laid-back outdoorsy character. Very riding-friendly city.

Nearly every road south and west of Asheville down into North Georgia is good riding.

So true. And as I've said before, we need your money as well!

While you're here, don't miss stopping at the Biltmore Estate. Pricey, but priceless.

[napper]

So I was a bit inaccurate.  Would you believe 62 and counting......

Just didn't want to see you selling yourself short.  

[Hotbrakes]

Here is rough loop of the areas I would hit for the best twisty riding. The loop begins/ends in Eureka Springs. The riding is pretty straight and flat west of there I think unless you play in the Texas Hill Country. Here is the loop (very close to what I did for the STN National in 2008):

Eureka Springs
Slab to Barber Museum in Birmingham via Memphis
Blood Mtn/etc in north Georgia
Cherohala Skyway
Deals Gap
"The Snake" (421 in Shady Valley, TN)
Blue Ridge Parkway (at least the part south of Virginia)
Explore the great twisties that run up/down the mountain to/from the BRP
The region around the WV/VA border is great (311, 39, 250, 33)
Explore central WV (Seneca Rocks area)
Head west to southeast OH
Head south through eastern Kentucky
Head west across southern KY (just north of TN border)
160 across southern Missouri back to Eureka Springs

That is a very cognitive list of my favorite roads and trips I've taken.  I'd say that would be an excellent way to spend ~7 days to enjoy every mile here in the East.

[REAPER]

Hi all,

As I enter my 6th decade, my bucket list still awaits an Appalachian tour.  Since I have to cross the middle states (read Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, or Nebraska) and all it's excitement, I would like to ask region members what are the must see's in Appalachia.  I am tentatively starting in Chattanooga for the tour.  What's the best to ride and see on a sports tourer?  Also, what time of year is best?

I think the best time is mid to late Sept. If you'll tell me when your gona make the trip I'll meet you in Arkansas and lead you to Memphis (Southaven, MS is a sub) you can use my guest room and I'll take ya on some fun twisties from hear up through East TN and NC. I'm retired and ready for a long trip.