Best Riding in the Appalachians

[epconde]

I have begun a site of the Best Rides in the Appalachians as a way to give back to fellow motorcyclists and want nothing in return. So far I have 7 great rides posted with photos, Google Maps, and GPS files: http://www.newenglandriders.org/BestOfAppalachians/VA_WV_Ladder.htm

I will add more rides. I have also included a page with favorite roads, places to see, places to stay, etc. http://www.newenglandriders.org/Great_Routes_and_Rides/Outside%20NE/Appalachians.htm.

Eventually I will expand this into a Best Riding in the Appalachians website from Maryland to Alabama. We currently have a Best of the Northeast website that covers Newfoundland to Pennsylvania and has over 65,000 page visits in a few years: http://www.newenglandriders.org/BestOfNorthEast/BestOfNorthEast.htm

[Sport-Touring]

[Formerly Known as Bigfoot]

Practically in my backyard with this VA/WV trip.  I've done Rt. 55/33 and others so much I could do it with my eyes closed.  Did you make it to Smoke Hole Rd while here?  I've done Kac Ka Pon numerous times and never had much luck with them though.  

[epconde]

Practically in my backyard with this VA/WV trip.  I've done Rt. 55/33 and others so much I could do it with my eyes closed.  Did you make it to Smoke Hole Rd while here?  I've done Kac Ka Pon numerous times and never had much luck with them though.  

Smoke Hole is on the ride map. I did not include it as part of the ride because it made the route too long.
I only get coffee and pie at Kac-Ka-Pon. I eat elsewhere.

[Last1Out]

Here's one you might consider, from a post last fall ...

I just discovered I have no obligations or visitors next weekend so I'm planning to take the GSX on the Grand Slam. The Slam consists of the most memorable roads in the WNC/TN area in a loop ride. From Franklin, NC, the ride starts with 28 north, the Moonshiner, across 74 to pickup 28 North again, the Hellbender, to Deals Gap. Take 129, the Tail of the Dragon, to 72 along the lake, a short run on 411 to pickup Tennessee 360, a very nice road that deserves its own name, to Tellico Plains. In Tellico, pickup 165, the Cherohala Skyway, to Robbinsville where 129 takes you down to a very short stint on 74 to pickup 1310, the Wayah Road (old timers remember it as Thunder Road), back to Franklin.

For those of you planning to visit the area to do the Dragon, The Grand Slam is the epic ride of epic rides in this area.

[DosEquis00]

Must have missed this but excellent job of putting the information together for easy access.
Thanks!

[epconde]

Must have missed this but excellent job of putting the information together for easy access.
Thanks!

My pleasure.

[PatM]

I had the pleasure of riding in the area a few weeks ago and your info was very useful. Thanks Ed!

[epconde]

I had the pleasure of riding in the area a few weeks ago and your info was very useful. Thanks Ed!

I am glad that it was helpful.

[Akumu]

Practically in my backyard with this VA/WV trip.  I've done Rt. 55/33 and others so much I could do it with my eyes closed.  Did you make it to Smoke Hole Rd while here?  I've done Kac Ka Pon numerous times and never had much luck with them though.  

Since this is your back yard, would you mind telling me the status of 250 east of Monterey? Last year they had to add those stupid shale patches that seem to serve no purpose, but to unnerve motorcyclists. Now I hear they're oiling the road. (Whatever that means.)

Any idea?

[epconde]

I have completed my first draft of the Best Of the Appalachians (BOA) roads for the new Best Of the Appalachians website. This website will eventually consist of the best roads, views, restaurants, things to see, and accommodations from Maryland down to the Barber Museum in Alabama.

I have researched roads for a few years and have gone to ride as many as I could. I have included suggestions from a number of riders which I then did further reseach on to confirm that they were good enough for this site. This website intends to include only the best of the best. I would be very grateful for feedback to make the site better.
http://www.newenglandriders.org/BestOfAppalachians/BestRoads/Best%20Roads.htm

Just a reminder that we have already covered Newfoundland to Pennsylvania:
http://www.newenglandriders.org/BestOfNorthEast/BestOfNorthEast.htm

I would appreciate feedback on this site as well. The goal is to have the best motorcycling site for Eastern Riders. As always, this is done as a way for New England Riders to give back to the motorcycling community. We do not advertise and want nothing in return.

[Tyrroneous]

Great idea to have all that valuable insight in one location.  


A couple of issues though:  I couldn't get any of the googlemaps links to work.  And on your GA page, you call out "Waywoman" road when it is actually "Warwoman Rd".

[epconde]

Great idea to have all that valuable insight in one location.  


A couple of issues though:  I couldn't get any of the googlemaps links to work.  And on you GA page, you call out "Waywoman" road when it is actually "Warwoman Rd".

Thank you! I corrected the typo.

I am in the process of creating the Google Maps and the GPS files. It is very time consuming.

[1moreroad]

Thanks!  I'll take a look for a trip this month I'm planning.

Add route 89 to Kentucky between McKee and Irvine (and maybe beyond).

How does this compare to sites like http://www.motorcycleroads.com/ and http://www.motorcycleroads.us/ ?

[epconde]

Thanks!  I'll take a look for a trip this month I'm planning.

Add route 89 to Kentucky between McKee and Irvine (and maybe beyond).

How does this compare to sites like http://www.motorcycleroads.com/ and http://www.motorcycleroads.us/ ?

I have been debating KY 89. I was actually thinking of starting south of McKee and continuing north to Irvine. Thoughts?

I like this site much, much better than both http://www.motorcycleroads.com/ and http://www.motorcycleroads.us/. mc.com has a lot of crappy roads and mc.us was really dumbed down a few years ago. I used to like it.

[garry]

I just rode KY89 south of McKee last month. It's remote, but not particularly scenic or twisty or special IMO. The high point was an old wooden bridge, but that's about it.

I've ridden the bit north before, but last month rode 587 + 52 to head north out of McKee. Much better SPORT-touring choice.

[epconde]

I just rode KY89 south of McKee last month. It's remote, but not particularly scenic or twisty or special IMO. The high point was an old wooden bridge, but that's about it.

I've ridden the bit north before, but last month rode 587 + 52 to head north out of McKee. Much better SPORT-touring choice.

Thank you this is exactly the kind of feedback that I am looking for. The big advantage of my site over others is that I only list the best roads. I try to make sure that any road added is worth riding out of your way for. I already have 52. Would you add 587 from McKee to Beattyville and 89 from McKee to Irvine? Both are on my short list and I have been waffling.

[1moreroad]

I rode 89 from McKee to Irvine then 213 to Nada.  213 has a good section then straightens out.  Haven't done as many roads over there or spent the time over there like garry has.

This is 89:


I think this is 213 (could still be 89):


BTW: glad to see all those good roads between VA and KY.  Great roads there.

[1moreroad]

TN: Consider 279 through Big South Fork National River and Recreation area west of Oneida.  Out of the way.  Very good, but not great.

[epconde]

TN: Consider 279 through Big South Fork National River and Recreation area west of Oneida.  Out of the way.  Very good, but not great.

Thanks for the tip!

[epconde]

I rode 89 from McKee to Irvine then 213 to Nada.  213 has a good section then straightens out.  Haven't done as many roads over there or spent the time over there like garry has.

This is 89:


I think this is 213 (could still be 89):


BTW: glad to see all those good roads between VA and KY.  Great roads there.

89 looks great! Did you like it a lot?