We're a little over 2 weeks out. I've updated the first page with attendees. I have only listed folks that said "I'm in", not the folks that said I "I should be able to". So please let me know if you intend on coming as I'm gauging food, snacks & refreshments. Also if you have dietary needs, i need to know as soon as possible.

We hope to see you here!

Eric

Looks like the 1st weekend date is winning. I'm out, unfortunately. Liz and I both have kid time that weekend. Ah well. Next time.

Well darn, I just saw Belle of hell peeking and asked her to beat on you.

Since the first try at this event we have had hellacious rain, damaging wind and snow locally.

I didn't bother putting the truck cap back on the truck, so I am good to go.

I know I have meetings on the Wednesday, so I expect to head down on the Thursday.  I'll let you know if I'll arrive Thursday evening or Friday.

Here are some random thoughts on the surrounding area.

West Virginia and Virginia: These two states are connected, because many amazing roads run between both states. Trips here should really be at least 3 days long, giving yourself 2 days of travel to and from the area, and a day spent exploring. The Virginia's really have so many amazing roads that you could actually spend a few weeks exploring here and continually find new amazing roads. Both states are also amazing for both the pavement quality and the sheer number of twisty mountain roads packed into this region. Overall, traffic and police presence is minimal outside of the towns. Inside towns, not so much and mind yourself.

West Virginia
- US219: The 219 is the most common way to travel between the south and north, especially for those riding down to the Smoky Mountains and Deals Gap area. You can catch the 219 from Buffalo, but it really only starts to get interesting in West Virginia as you pass through Monongahela National Forest and George Washington & Jefferson National Forest. Along this portion of the 219 you will find excellent pavement, fast sweepers mixed with tight twisties and great elevation changes. There are a few spots with exceptional scenery and lots of places to stop and enjoy the area.
- US33: This road basically connects Elkins, WV in the west to Harrisonburg, VA in the east. It passes over a few mountains, so there are many super fun technical parts to this road. The pavement quality is smooth like butter and the scenery is excellent from one end to the other.
- WV250: Considering the number of twisty bits that stretch out over the 225 miles of the road, this is an amazing ride. It passes over a few mountains and has remarkable pavement. There are many switchbacks, tight turns and fast sweepers.
- Spruce Knob: This road will take you to the highest point in West Virginia, which is pretty sweet, considering that West Virginia is considered the mountain state. The ride up follows a narrow well paved climb, with a few switchbacks along excellent pavement. It's a really interesting ride up because you can see the rapid change in tree canopy and ground cover over a very short distance. The views from the top are excellent, where on a clear day, you can see for miles. The fall colors are also amazing on both the road itself and while perched at the top looking around.
- Smoke Hole Rd: This is my favorite road in the state. This is a secret road. From the south it starts out narrow and winding along a river with very high canyon walls to either side of you. There are plenty of spots to stop in the canyon area to take a break and enjoy the moment. As you exit the canyon, you begin to ride up and down a very tight 1 1/2 lane road with no center line marking and no shoulders passing through forests and fields. It's very tight, technical and twisty, so keep your eyes on the road. The pavement is excellent on the twisty bits and even if you take this road very slow, you will be rewarded with astounding scenery the entire time. This time of year usually presents pea gravel from the winter months, mind yourself.

US219:
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/39.2790494,-79.4812312/Peterstown/@38.3154839,-80.5468599,8z/data=!4m14!4m13!1m5!3m4!1m2!1d-80.0967763!2d38.325187!3s0x884b78a669a7ec87:0xa4ebfa98fa4f5c35!1m5!1m1!1s0x884dd88e4441bbfd:0xb161f0a76499184c!2m2!1d-80.7992431!2d37.3973437!3e0

US33:
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Harrisonburg/Elkins/@38.7590924,-79.8103184,9z/data=!4m19!4m18!1m10!1m1!1s0x89b492c33f077155:0x84e65b9dabd7b5f!2m2!1d-78.8689155!2d38.4495688!3m4!1m2!1d-79.2138295!2d38.6095123!3s0x89b4cf77498c90db:0xd8067500ae7ba3a4!1m5!1m1!1s0x884ae3b56cffb24b:0xce8579539c7bb6d2!2m2!1d-79.8467349!2d38.9259397!3e0

WV250:
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Moundsville/Staunton/@39.0012511,-80.5663918,8.41z/data=!4m24!4m23!1m15!1m1!1s0x8835e0beb0413939:0x81a89159bd7ba04e!2m2!1d-80.7431407!2d39.9203526!3m4!1m2!1d-80.3846995!2d39.6000532!3s0x88358a6ad202b9f3:0xccba4dc5deac2e84!3m4!1m2!1d-80.0512139!2d39.1882641!3s0x884af4fde0624255:0x196f9c708eafe453!1m5!1m1!1s0x89b4a08eb8621697:0xe5d6e4710a09b66e!2m2!1d-79.0716958!2d38.149576!3e0?shorturl=1

Spruce Knob:
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/38.7175412,-79.4596627/38.7020283,-79.5314718/@38.7066106,-79.5309887,13.1z/data=!4m2!4m1!3e0?shorturl=1

Smoke Hole Rd:
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Smoke+Hole+Road,+Upper+Tract,+WV/268+Smoke+Hole+Road,+Cabins,+WV/@38.9031685,-79.3036729,11.56z/data=!4m19!4m18!1m10!1m1!1s0x89b4d612dbddf0ad:0x76e8ad959cbb3d75!2m2!1d-79.2763996!2d38.8067533!3m4!1m2!1d-79.2576392!2d38.9326719!3s0x89b52e5358cbbba7:0x3031a9862c136a8f!1m5!1m1!1s0x89b52fd97efa7ff9:0xd28394661b8fa5d9!2m2!1d-79.230797!2d38.9827!3e0?shorturl=1

Virginia
Skyline Drive: This road is exceptional and passes through the length of Shenandoah National Park after which begins the Blue Ridge Parkway. Skyline Drive currently has a fee of $15US for motorcycles to enter - a pass that is valid for 7 days. It has many elevation changes and like name suggests, much of it is at high elevation. There are many overlooks for you to stop and enjoy the incredible views from up above. The speed limit is 35mph, which is painfully slow for such a fun road but amazing on a low cc bike or scooter. Apparently there can be a police presence on this road to enforce the speed limit, but I have never seen any. There are many lodges and campgrounds to stay overnight in the park. The pavement is flawless and it's a very twisty road. Well worth the price of admission if you have never been.
- Blue Ridge Parkway: This is the northern half of a very epic road also known as the BRP. The entire parkway starts in Waynesboro, Virginia and finishes in Cherokee, North Carolina, though the section mapped here is just the Virginia portion. Since it is a scenic parkway, there are no services on the road (food/gas), and also no stops or traffic lights. It has excellent pavement, and this Virginia portion is primarily fast sweepers, which seems ironic, because the speed limit is painfully set at 45mph. There is usually less speed enforcement on the parkway than on Skyline Drive. There are many lookouts and the views are really spectacular. Equally impressive are the periodic roads that intersect the BRP, as these roads involve a pretty good twisty climb to reach the parkway. If you have never been before, riding the entire stretch of this road is a must do for every rider and plan extra time for the many times you will stop to take pictures.
- VA16: Also known as the 'Back of the Dragon', this is a spectacular road. It's about 30 miles and really lives up to it's name. There are endless switchbacks and tight turns as it climbs and drops over a mountain range. There is a small corner store in the north end in Thomson Valley where you can buy some t-shirts and stickers. At the south end of the road, there is a great state park/lake called Hungry Mother, which has a few scenic places to stop and take a break beside the lake. The state park also has great campsites.
- VA311: This road is much better than it looks on a map. It has flawless pavement and has many switchbacks and elevation changes. There is very little traffic on it and it is an absolute treat of a twisty road.
- US58: This road connects the two towns of Damascus and Independence Virginia. It's also known as the Highlands Parkway or the Jeb Bush Highway. The scenery is really nice and this road has a perfect mix of fast sweepers with tighter corners on beautiful pavement. It's a great way to do a loop between.

Skyline Drive:
https://www.google.ca/maps/dir/38.9060657,-78.1992594/Skyline+Dr,+Virginia,+USA/38.0355205,-78.8581276/@38.5026979,-78.9468274,9.27z/data=!4m25!4m24!1m10!3m4!1m2!1d-78.1783409!2d38.8288653!3s0x89b5cee9c2d24773:0xc4aa089a67a0e3dc!3m4!1m2!1d-78.3866949!2d38.5562468!3s0x89b4460af113f49b:0x72ac1f25bb8d44a1!1m10!1m1!1s0x89b449137bf3f181:0xf1a7e7f87dc0485d!2m2!1d-78.4669096!2d38.4523421!3m4!1m2!1d-78.7084032!2d38.2420952!3s0x89b4864d77844d4b:0xa4c625555b1ebc2e!1m0!3e0?shorturl=1

Blue ridge Parkway:
https://www.google.ca/maps/dir/38.0299278,-78.8573551/36.5624162,-80.9122215/@37.4403222,-80.582203,8.68z/data=!4m24!4m23!1m20!3m4!1m2!1d-78.9004509!2d37.992273!3s0x89b365b10e8b6cd9:0xb3a028c20999aa7e!3m4!1m2!1d-79.2213965!2d37.80614!3s0x89b337ea0446d627:0x696a7a0c767b5eee!3m4!1m2!1d-79.5052374!2d37.5246166!3s0x884cd6379ef3f68f:0x2077e20cbd31dd7c!3m4!1m2!1d-80.503373!2d36.656117!3s0x8852147e91cc6121:0x2c27be81237e6f50!1m0!3e0?shorturl=1

VA16:
https://www.google.ca/maps/dir/37.0985558,-81.5585373/36.8442801,-81.5021792/@36.966324,-81.6369946,11.21z/data=!4m2!4m1!3e0?shorturl=1

VA311:
https://www.google.ca/maps/dir/37.7809864,-80.2317286/Catawba/@37.577955,-80.2808758,10z/data=!4m14!4m13!1m5!3m4!1m2!1d-80.234169!2d37.6698499!3s0x884c519e0b093fdd:0x6fff60a11c568fea!1m5!1m1!1s0x884da7efe2f81e99:0xdd21b2205c6eba4a!2m2!1d-80.1097462!2d37.3826741!3e0

US58:
https://www.google.ca/maps/dir/Damascus/Independence/@36.6013873,-81.6668079,10.29z/data=!4m21!4m20!1m10!1m1!1s0x885040d9c37020c9:0x33e75faae37dcd5b!2m2!1d-81.7837303!2d36.6337272!3m4!1m2!1d-81.5139991!2d36.6068121!3s0x8851b4d5296161d3:0x4b69aac63f34acc8!1m5!1m1!1s0x88519550791b78f5:0x69b9029f1a936e3e!2m2!1d-81.150923!2d36.6223478!2m1!1b1!3e0?shorturl=1

Liz and I were chatting. If my daughter reschedules on me, I may make an 11th-hour call to head down for a short weekend of it, and grab a motel near by. She's still out, regardless. Nothing is in stone yet.

Drank my coffee outside in the sun today.  The dog and I were quite comfortable.

This is more like it!

have my route planned out, looks like the weather is gonna be very good....itching

https://goo.gl/maps/rHJRaDcba1B2

Ditto Eric.  Leaving Monday morning and after moving to SC from Colorado, looking forward to the twisty bits and some M/C company.

Was Worried for awhile. I got a notice to report for Federal GRAND jury duty on May 4. 

I wrote them a heart wrenching letter and got temporarily excused. So I am still in. 

Looking forward to this

Not looking forward to being recalled.  I’ve heard grand jury duty really disrupts your private life. 

I may stop voting. If only I could stop paying taxes.

2 coming will probably stay at a local motel ( still in planning )  but will show up to add to the tire kicking.  Need directions.

I'm going to try to show up in the tenement on wheels, but I ended up having to make a reservation at an RV park that's a goodly distance away, so we'll see. No need to house or feed me anyway though.... I bring all that with me 

I'm going to try to show up in the tenement on wheels, but I ended up having to make a reservation at an RV park that's a goodly distance away, so we'll see. No need to house or feed me anyway though.... I bring all that with me 

Looking forward to meeting you again. 

Quote from: Skee on April 26, 2018, 05:45:37 PM

Not looking forward to being recalled.  I’ve heard grand jury duty really disrupts your private life. 

I may stop voting. If only I could stop paying taxes.

1. Go to law school.
2. Work in a law office.
3. Put on the questionnaire that you think drug laws are a puritanical assault on liberty.

Any of those will ensure nobody picks you for jury duty. 

I already wrote they probably did something wrong to be under investigation

Anyone have ride plans for Saturday?

Anyone have ride plans for Saturday?

Saturday  

You must add Eric's place as the last point on all these routes; otherwise no cold brew for you.

The shortest loop in the attached file - Lake Anna Loop - is 260 miles.
Allows for late breakfast, long lunch and leaisurly return

The Lake Anna short loop -  367 miles - includes long stretch of 56 and 220 north from Covington to Warm Springs and finishes on 250.

Disclosure: I probably won't ride any of these loops; I just like planning them.
Beans & I usually change the route up 30 minutes after we leave.  "That looks like a good road!"

Maybe take I64 out to 29 south to 56 cross over onto 39 to Warm Springs.
Down 220 to Covington and back up to Warm Springs cross over on 39 to 678 up to 250 to Staunton
Actually just thought of this loop while I was posting and it better already. 
Of course, iit's not Saturday yet.

Quote from: smoker on April 29, 2018, 06:45:20 PM

Anyone have ride plans for Saturday?

Saturday  

You must add Eric's place as the last point on all these routes; otherwise no cold brew for you.

The shortest loop in the attached file - Lake Anna Loop - is 260 miles.
Allows for late breakfast, long lunch and leaisurly return

The Lake Anna short loop -  367 miles - includes long stretch of 56 and 220 north from Covington to Warm Springs and finishes on 250.

Disclosure: I probably won't ride any of these loops; I just like planning them.
Beans & I usually change the route up 30 minutes after we leave.  "That looks like a good road!"

Maybe take I64 out to 29 south to 56 cross over onto 39 to Warm Springs.
Down 220 to Covington and back up to Warm Springs cross over on 39 to 678 up to 250 to Staunton
Actually just thought of this loop while I was posting and it better already. 
Of course, iit's not Saturday yet.

I like this plan, but I might take a couple of detours...

Quote from: smoker on April 29, 2018, 06:45:20 PM

Anyone have ride plans for Saturday?

I was planning to follow you 

I'll try to stay on pavement...

I've sent my address and cell number to everyone again. Please let me know if I've forgot anyone.

Thanks,

Eric

Left this morning currently in wilkesboro mc, starting the parkway tomorrow.  Loving the weather for th week.  See you guys Friday

Enjoy Mike, perfect time of the year!

[

I'll try to stay on pavement...

Well we hope so....
How about? 64W to 637 to 635 to 151 (looks entertaining on the map) to 56 or 60 and north on BRP for a leisurely lunch

 http://dbbrewingcompany.com/locations/basecamp/?age-verified=96ad4171e6

I may be heading to Manassas to visit Mini Jr. this weekend on a scooter.  Send me an address and if I can get away, I'll stop for a meet and greet Saturday evening. Did someone mention cold ones?

Oh yeah, there will be plenty of all kinds of cold ones! I hope you can make it.

 

It's going to be smoking hot Thursday and Friday in the low 90s so bring your summer gear. Also, the pollen is off the hook bad right now.

alcohol - hot weather - lake

what could go wrong?

"In local news, 7 people were charged with indecent exposure and drunk in public after they were pulled out of Lake Anna wearing only motorcycle helmets and tattoos crafted in what appeared to be permanent marker.  Police are investigating the significance of the letters S-T-O and believe it to be a local branch of extremist radical idiots"

If I could request of the group to keep things low key for the moment.  I have an international border to cross tomorrow morning.   

I'm trying... I'm trying... LATE night tonight prepping for a demo we have in D.C. tomorrow. 

Friday I have some meetings, but hoping to get done early enough. If I can, I'm gonna buzz down. I'm completely 11th hour on this. I *should* bail and finish a project this weekend. That's the responsible thing to do. But holy crap, I've had damned little time off - weekends included - this past year, and I'm rapidly approaching burnout.