Hi all, I've been something of a work-aholic so far this year and it's about time to clear the cobwebs. I'm going to be taking a little more than a week in July to find some of the best roads this country (and possibly our neighbors to the north) can offer. I'll be starting off on a Friday by hauling butt from Pittsburgh down to Clemson to see my best friend from college. From there we are planning on hitting up the Tail of the Dragon and some of the surrounding areas for that Saturday and possibly Sunday. After that point, I am not sure which direction I want to head. I could ride all the way up the Blue Ridge Parkway; however, I believe that will only take me a day.
Basically, I am looking for any suggestions the other riders here may have for good views, twisty roads, and just plain enjoyable areas. I'm not opposed to heading the way of the West Coast; however, I would need to find plenty of fun roads in all of those flat states in between. Thanks!
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"The ultimate goal of the educational system is to shift to the individual the burden of pursing his own education. This will not be a widely shared pursuit until we get over our odd conviction that education is what goes on in school buildings and nowhere else."
John W. Gardner
If you're up for it, you might hit the Black Hills in South Dakota (Sturgis area) a month before the crowd starts filling up the roads. You'll probably enjoy the twisties at practically any speed you like, as the area is pretty much deserted that month.
Plus, it won't be as hot as locations further south in the U.S. during summertime...
__________________ Dennis' Titanium 'Bird of Prey': '08 Titanium 4X4; AT; LD; A-Trac; Uniden PC78XLT CB radio & K40 hatch-mounted whip; Yaesu FT-7800R dual-band HAM radio & Comet SSB2 hatch-mounted 1/4 wave antenna Call Sign: KE5WTX; Toyota extra horn mod; no mud flaps; LT285/70/R17 Hankook Dynapro MT tars; 3" Lift (OME 884 front coils & N140S shocks, ToyTech Medium rear coils, OME N71E rear shocks); All-Phase rear diff skid; SCUBA breather mod; Steel sway bar collars; All-Pro rear shock skids and lower link skids; Digger upper and lower rear links; Rasta4x4 skids; Metal Tech step sliders; Mini-Me OEM roof rack
you are already doing a good ride through blue ridge....if going to dragon be careful as it is crowded as hell these days with lots of cops and lots of tickets. there are good roads just as challenging around state with less crowds...like dragon was back in 80s.
not sure if you want to keep heading south, east, west, or north....but in July my group is having a party and ride around July19. You are welcome even if it isnt a Indian. Lots of beer, food and adult entertainment....ride through Kings Mountain State Forest and more partying and music and stuff at dealership up road.
likewise some bros of mine do an annual blue ridge mountain ride that is outstanding....it is either end of june or early july. I would ride the parkway northeast as far as you can stand and then just headhome from there. taking your time and enjoying the ride rather than trying to get somewhere as fast as we can like normal. LOL
good luck...ride safe...and if you get down to charleston area give me a yell and will ride out and meet you and take you for ride around barrier islands here on our coast.
__________________ I have a high art, I hurt with cruelty those who would damage me.- Archilochus, 650BC
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she's a Brick.......House
08 FJC, Brick, Auto, Nitto Terra Grapplers (295), ATrac, Locker, Budbuilt skids and sliders, ToyTec 3" OME lift, Warn rear bumper with Lucrum Swingout Tire kit.
84 FJ-60, blue, body lift, BFG AT on oem steelies, Warn Hubs, mostly original
Highway 60 through North Georgia is also a popular motorcycle run, though not very long (20-30 miles I'd guess). You start in Dahlonega, GA, then head north to Blairsville and on into Murphy, NC then Franklin to hit the Dragon.
__________________ Rick C ~ ~ I aim to misbehave. 2007 GSJ15//Ti Ag//4WD AT All-Pro bumper, IFS skid, Extreme LCA links, LCA skids & Bandi mount Bud Built trans skid/crossmember/gas skid Metal-Tech red sliders OME 886/895 springs & shocks Super Swamper 34" LTBs Warn 9.5xp/Masterpull line Demello rear bumper
My brother inlaw is a harley guy.....makes me laugh cuz he is 6'5" and kickin 300 anyway......So he was reading some cycle magazine and it listed the top ten ride roads in North America. Apparently the top road was up here in Eastern Canada. Check out the road "Cabot Trail" around Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. It certainly is pretty country down there and apparently it is very bike friendly.
__________________ '07 FJ, C package, 5A, Ti
mods so far
Left Foot gas pedal, Silver Star Ultras, FJ Spare Tire Cover, FJ Canvas Storage, more FJ Forum Stickers (Ti), Cruiserland Plate Frames, K&N Drop In, Vent Shades, Extremetrucktoys 2" Lift, Garmin c340, aux interior lighting, passenger armrest, 265/70/17 Toyo Open Country
I know all to well of the number of LEOs on the Dragon these days. When we went last year I counted 4 squad cars on the side of the road. I was sure one of them was going to pull my buddy over for having his license plate mounted at a 45 degree angle. Meanwhile, cars, 18-wheelers, and the cops themselves can't stay to the right side of the yellow line. Who's the real problem there?
BMThinker, tailofthedragon.com and killboy.com are two of my favorite sites for getting updates and pictures from the Dragon. The Southeast has so many wonderful roads, I could probably spend the entire week in GA, NC, and SC.
Brock, thanks for the ideas. I think I'm going to try to be home by the 19th, since I will be helping to guide some trails for a run that day. However, if I find some nice roads, I have no problem staying on two wheels a little longer. I'd definitely be willing to check out some of the ocean views on that side of the state. If you aren't around during the week, do you have any maps or gps routes that you'd be willing to share?
__________________
"The ultimate goal of the educational system is to shift to the individual the burden of pursing his own education. This will not be a widely shared pursuit until we get over our odd conviction that education is what goes on in school buildings and nowhere else."
John W. Gardner
My brother inlaw is a harley guy.....makes me laugh cuz he is 6'5" and kickin 300 anyway......So he was reading some cycle magazine and it listed the top ten ride roads in North America. Apparently the top road was up here in Eastern Canada. Check out the road [b]"Cabot Trail" around Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.[B/] It certainly is pretty country down there and apparently it is very bike friendly.
Awesome, that may make it to the list.
__________________
"The ultimate goal of the educational system is to shift to the individual the burden of pursing his own education. This will not be a widely shared pursuit until we get over our odd conviction that education is what goes on in school buildings and nowhere else."
John W. Gardner
All of E TN, NW NC, S VA, N GA, etc. So many beautiful roads all around that area that it's nuts. The tail of the dragon is secondary once you get up there. That-is unless you like the circus.
Go out there and get lost.
Location: Parker County, TX and Santa Fe County, NM
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Re: Motorcycle Trip in July...Road Suggestions?
Almost any odd-numbered (north-south) road in northwestern Arkansas, up through the Ozarks into southern Missouri. I really like 21 north out of Clarksville, but 23 and 19 are good too. Not much traffic but watch out for the odd logging truck. Also, it's best to top off when you see a gas station.
__________________ All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible - T. E. Lawrence
only time i wont be around is 16-21 as i am planner and all for the ride we are doing....
you make it in area before then and i will take off of work to give you the tour.....
__________________ I have a high art, I hurt with cruelty those who would damage me.- Archilochus, 650BC
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she's a Brick.......House
08 FJC, Brick, Auto, Nitto Terra Grapplers (295), ATrac, Locker, Budbuilt skids and sliders, ToyTec 3" OME lift, Warn rear bumper with Lucrum Swingout Tire kit.
84 FJ-60, blue, body lift, BFG AT on oem steelies, Warn Hubs, mostly original
'07 FJ, C package, 5A, Ti
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