[Xii]

Some friends and I were planning on a little road trip and were going to hit up Deals Gap, NC: http://www.tailofthedragon.com/

From the looks of it the road looks exciting. I was wondering if anyone else had knowledge of great roads to open up their 1's on.

Thanks,
-Liam

[holo777]

I'd avoid Deals Gap. Or at least don't speed. The highway patrol have gotten overzealous there. Too many fatalities. Try US 58 through South West Virginia. If you let me know where you all are going I could recommend a few more.

[ScottyGams]

after watching that top gear episode for the "best driving road" last season, i would love to see what our great driving roads would be!

[wnta135]

The Cherohala Shyway in the same area as Deals Gap is also a good drive. There are a number of great drives along the Blue Ridge Parkway. As holo777 says, let us know and we can get you specifics.

[C_Topher]

If you are in the area, Skyline Drive in Shenandoah NP in western VA was a blast.

[natedog_1959]

I-40 going through the smokies is a great drive with few police and very curteous semi drivers that stay in the right lane. Nate

[jeremyc74]

Originally Posted by holo777

I'd avoid Deals Gap. Or at least don't speed. The highway patrol have gotten overzealous there. Too many fatalities. Try US 58 through South West Virginia. If you let me know where you all are going I could recommend a few more.

If you're going to be in that area, let me know. I grew up in that area and I know some WICKED mountain passes with that have extremely low traffic. I'll post up the maps later.

[Xii]

My friend and I have a lot of time on our hands and will pretty much drive anywhere and make a trip out of it. Any good roads anywhere in the US/Canada are greatly appreciated. I hope others can use this thread as a guide for people to find good routes as well.

[jeremyc74]

Ok, here's a loop I suggest trying:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=e...30347&t=p&z=10


You can run this in either direction. Abingdon is at one end, and Marion at the other. Abingdon has a great historic downtown with a few cool little bars and resturants. It might be better to end up there if you're planning on staying overnight.

A-B is a major road, not a lot of fun to be had.

C-B is Hayters Gap. It is a crazy stretch of road with little traffic. The elevation changes about 1800 feet in 5 miles, and the road constantly double back on itself. The steep part is shaded by mature trees, so it can have wet patches on it long after it's rained. Be careful pushing too hard on this part.

B-C lets you relax and runs down to a little town called Saltville. It was the "Salt Capitol of the Confederacy", and they're damn proud of it. Watch out for the local cops on this part. The Police force here is as crooked as any small town cop you've ever seen on TV. I'm speaking from personal experience. Don't screw around on this section.

D-E is Route 91. It had great pavement the last time I was on it, but it's been a few years, so I don't remember a lot of details. Just zoom in on it and you'll see why it's so much fun.

E-F Rest again

F-G Hope the brakes are still working like they're supposed to.....back across the ridge

G-H You can run pretty hard on this part until you get near Hungry Mother Park (good place to grab lunch in the summer time) but after that you need to just relax and enjoy the scenery at the speed limit, because you're getting back into civilization.

Hope that gives you some ideas.

[Xii]

Originally Posted by jeremyc74

Ok, here's a loop I suggest trying:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=e...30347&t=p&z=10


You can run this in either direction. Abingdon is at one end, and Marion at the other. Abingdon has a great historic downtown with a few cool little bars and resturants. It might be better to end up there if you're planning on staying overnight.

A-B is a major road, not a lot of fun to be had.

C-B is Hayters Gap. It is a crazy stretch of road with little traffic. The elevation changes about 1800 feet in 5 miles, and the road constantly double back on itself. The steep part is shaded by mature trees, so it can have wet patches on it long after it's rained. Be careful pushing too hard on this part.

B-C lets you relax and runs down to a little town called Saltville. It was the "Salt Capitol of the Confederacy", and they're damn proud of it. Watch out for the local cops on this part. The Police force here is as crooked as any small town cop you've ever seen on TV. I'm speaking from personal experience. Don't screw around on this section.

D-E is Route 91. It had great pavement the last time I was on it, but it's been a few years, so I don't remember a lot of details. Just zoom in on it and you'll see why it's so much fun.

E-F Rest again

F-G Hope the brakes are still working like they're supposed to.....back across the ridge

G-H You can run pretty hard on this part until you get near Hungry Mother Park (good place to grab lunch in the summer time) but after that you need to just relax and enjoy the scenery at the speed limit, because you're getting back into civilization.

Hope that gives you some ideas.

Thanks man, definitly looking to get out and explore before I get old and dont get to do this sot of thing :headbang:

[Trapperj]

I have done the dragon several times and while fun ...IMHO its over rated.. Driving the 1 there would be like flying a F-14 in a gym. Too tight. There are better roads that are not as crowded. I Do think everyone should do it once. Stay in your lane....motorcycles are everywhere. Its more fun in the winter and a blast in the rain. Try and hook up with someone you trust and follow them through the first time. I live 1/2 hour away.

[morscode]

Originally Posted by jeremyc74

Ok, here's a loop I suggest trying:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=e...30347&t=p&z=10


You can run this in either direction. Abingdon is at one end, and Marion at the other. Abingdon has a great historic downtown with a few cool little bars and resturants. It might be better to end up there if you're planning on staying overnight.

A-B is a major road, not a lot of fun to be had.

C-B is Hayters Gap. It is a crazy stretch of road with little traffic. The elevation changes about 1800 feet in 5 miles, and the road constantly double back on itself. The steep part is shaded by mature trees, so it can have wet patches on it long after it's rained. Be careful pushing too hard on this part.

B-C lets you relax and runs down to a little town called Saltville. It was the "Salt Capitol of the Confederacy", and they're damn proud of it. Watch out for the local cops on this part. The Police force here is as crooked as any small town cop you've ever seen on TV. I'm speaking from personal experience. Don't screw around on this section.

D-E is Route 91. It had great pavement the last time I was on it, but it's been a few years, so I don't remember a lot of details. Just zoom in on it and you'll see why it's so much fun.

E-F Rest again

F-G Hope the brakes are still working like they're supposed to.....back across the ridge

G-H You can run pretty hard on this part until you get near Hungry Mother Park (good place to grab lunch in the summer time) but after that you need to just relax and enjoy the scenery at the speed limit, because you're getting back into civilization.

Hope that gives you some ideas.

WOW. All the roads around there look absolutely insane!

[Xii]

Originally Posted by tskeen

I have done the dragon several times and while fun ...IMHO its over rated.. Driving the 1 there would be like flying a F-14 in a gym. Too tight. There are better roads that are not as crowded. I Do think everyone should do it once. Stay in your lane....motorcycles are everywhere. Its more fun in the winter and a blast in the rain. Try and hook up with someone you trust and follow them through the first time. I live 1/2 hour away.

Yea definitly seen some crazy footage of wrecks on the gap. I definitly don't want my 1 to be come part of the destruction.

[jeremyc74]

Originally Posted by 1Mor

WOW. All the roads around there look absolutely insane!

Yeah. It was pretty cool growing up in those mountains. I learned to drive on this stuff. It's a good thing most of my early cars were too slow to be dangerous, but that didn't stop us from pushing our luck a lot. :biggrin:

Since I took delivery of the 135 I've only been back in the area once, to see my family. I'm hoping to go again later this month if work allows it. I'm going to try to rig a video camera and film a couple of the passes just so you guys can get a look at them.

[Xii]

Originally Posted by jeremyc74

Yeah. It was pretty cool growing up in those mountains. I learned to drive on this stuff. It's a good thing most of my early cars were too slow to be dangerous, but that didn't stop us from pushing our luck a lot. :biggrin:

Since I took delivery of the 135 I've only been back in the area once, to see my family. I'm hoping to go again later this month if work allows it. I'm going to try to rig a video camera and film a couple of the passes just so you guys can get a look at them.

That video camer idea would be amazing! I can't wait to see it :w00t:

[Trapperj]

I have a camera mount for my headrest and need to do the gap and post the footage.... my wife has a Audi A3 and with dsg & is ez to drive fast in the tight turns. If any of you do Deals Gap....if your 1 has a aggressive tune.....be very smooth in your throttle application. You could have a bad day. When one goes off there you need more than a tow truck. Summer is bike time and cars are second rate to the locals. Winter or rainy days are open. Everyone should go, just try to go off season. BTW...make sure to take a camera...

[otoz]

Originally Posted by C_Topher

If you are in the area, Skyline Drive in Shenandoah NP in western VA was a blast.

I'll second that, While it costs $10 or $15 to get on (i dont remember exactly) its a beautiful drive, the rangers do patrol it with radar though, so you do have to be careful. The drive is slow and rolling hills with a couple nice corners. Here are some pics from my last drive there:

http://picasaweb.google.com/Zoto724/...16776408224962

[ScottyGams]

any roads that are a nice little detour for a drive from Orlando Florida to NJ?

I have a PCD coming up in 2 weeks:roundel:

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by ScottyGams

any roads that are a nice little detour for a drive from Orlando Florida to NJ?

I have a PCD coming up in 2 weeks:roundel:

I've always enjoyed picking up 441 at Lake City through Georgia, then east on 64 in NC to north on 215 to north on the Blue Ridge Parkway to its end. Then you could take the Skyline Drive (35 mph limit for about 100 miles) to I81 or pick up I81 at Waynesboro, VA to PA.

Be sure and budget more time (4 days is good for this trip although it's doable in 3) and bring your camera.
Tom

[holo777]

Originally Posted by Phiberglass

www.mountainblasting.com

BTW invitation code is alpha-romeo. Here is a link

http://www.mountainblasting.com/signup?code=alpha-romeo

[jeremyc74]

Well guys, I was up in VA over the weekend. I went armed with my camcorder and a super ghetto mount I made from a tripod. I set the rig up and headed into the mountains to one of the passes in my map link (G-H section) . I reached back and flipped the camera on and the damn battery was dead! It lasted about 10 seconds before it shut down.

I had left the charger at home to make matters worse. I'll be going back in a few weeks though, and I promis less stupidiy on my part next time. It was bad weather, so I had to take it pretty easy anyway.

Also, don't try that E-D section. I had forgotten, but there's a pretty good section of it's that's not paved. It's great if you've got a rallly car though. I'll have to re-do the map a little to stay off that section. I had never really looked at these passes on a map before, and I've got that one mixed up with one farter East I think.

[Oregon]

Dead Indian Road east of Ashland, Oregon. Drive it at least once a week, usually twice.