Lets figure this thing out - it looks like there is interest for a group ride some time soon. This weekend looks to be clear for weather, if we can get organized that fast.

Here is my short list of local roads:
- Blueridge parkway
- 311 around Paint Bank
- Eggleston road
- various roads between 81 and Blueridge parkway

But I'm all about going somewhere I've never seen, so everyone post up their favorites

I could be in for this weekend. I don't know yet whether I'll have to work on Saturday, but even if I do I can be out by about 10:30. Sunday's wide open.

Anybody been to the lookout on the other side of East River Mountain?

I've come up with a last minute trip to the outer banks, NC, this weekend, so no group rides for me. Looks like we need more time to plan a group thing anyway.

I'm heading east on 460, then south at Norfolk to Kill Devil Hills, then camping on Okracoke island.

Good for you, man! Have a good, safe, fun trip.

I was out of town all weekend, just seeing this now. Actually I am still out of town, I just happened to have some down time to goof around on the internet tonight.

Another good route for a day trip would be out to Burkes Garden. have lunch at the old fashioned general store, then home. You could go out via Radford / Rt. 100, then back on 42. This is probably a 175 mile round trip and takes you in the back side of burkes garden which as i recall has a bit of gravel.

If you want more like 200+ miles and no gravel, come in via 61 from Narrows (i think this is a nicer route personally). I've never actually ridden it but I've bicycled from Narrows up through Burke's garden and driven the other roads in a car. If you haven't been to Burkes Garden before you should check it out one way or the other some day when the weather is nice. It's pretty interesting.

I think we should pick a day - I'll say the 8th of August, just to get started, but I'm good for any weekend.

The 8th stacks up well for me... so far. I'm weather- and work-dependent, so in the words of the philosophers, "nothing is constant but change."

Let's make a plan! :)

So far the 8th sounds great! If its cool, it will be me plus another bike. I guess I can't leave the hubby behind.

I'll bring my VTX-riding friend along, if he's in town that weekend.

It looks to me that Burkes Garden and East River Mountain are in the same general area - vthoky, where is the overlook you mentioned? Here is one possible route - this one is 200 miles and includes some 81 riding and is just a starting point for discussion, if anybody is feeling like they would rather keep the ride shorter then please say so. I would rather do a shorter loop than exclude anyone. That route 16 looks pretty tempting, anybody done that one?

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=blacksburg,+VA&daddr=Eggleston+Rd+to:Burkes+Garden,+VA+to:US-19%2FUS-460+to:N+Main+St%2FUS-11+to:Lee+Hwy%2FUS-11+to:37.225189,-80.44075&hl=en&geocode=%3BFVbxOAIdzMUx-w%3B%3BFZIXNgIdQnIj-w%3BFcQ5MgIdeIEk-w%3BFXAWNgIdJmgw-w%3B&mra=mi&mrcr=5&mrsp=6&sz=10&sll=37.100098,-80.978851&sspn=0.809428,1.234589&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=10

Another idea:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=blacksburg,+VA&daddr=VA-61%2FWolf+Creek+Rd+to:Burkes+Garden,+VA+to:US-19%2FUS-460+to:Old+Wilderness+Rd%2FVA-42+to:37.286073,-80.614243+to:Prices+Fork+Rd%2FVA-412&hl=en&geocode=%3BFSzBOAId1OUs-w%3B%3BFZIXNgIdQnIj-w%3BFbQVNAId6I0l-w%3B%3BFcAAOAIdEHo0-w&mra=dme&mrcr=4,5&mrsp=5&sz=11&sll=37.226501,-80.683594&sspn=0.40404,0.617294&ie=UTF8&ll=37.315568,-80.59845&spn=1.614212,2.469177&t=h&z=9

It looks to me that Burkes Garden and East River Mountain are in the same general area - vthoky, where is the overlook you mentioned?

Hey, Sundog, the overlook I was referring to is on the WV side, in Bluefield. (It's almost directly "over" Bluefield High School and the National Guard armory. If I were to guide you to it, I'd say head down I-81 to I-77 and follow that through the second tunnel. (That's the East River mountain tunnel.) Once out of the tunnel, take Exit 1. Top of the ramp, turn right, headed for Bluefield. Hop over to Route 460 East. There's a left turn a couple of miles out, just at the GM dealer. Take that left, and head up the mountain. The overlook is on the left. Somewhere around here I've got a couple of pics taken from the overlook. It's pretty neat on a cloudy/foggy day. Granted, it's not like the overlooks on the Parkway.

I'm no fan of Interstate riding, so if I were going there by two-wheel, I'd head to Dublin, take the 100/42/606 route toward Bland/Rocky Gap/South Gap, and then get (briefly) onto I-77 for that second tunnel. Coming back, I'd take Exit 42 (or is it 43?), the South Gap exit.

I've not had a chance to thoroughly surf the links you provided yet, but I noticed they're roughly 5-hour trips. I'm good for that, provided we start relatively early. (8-ish is fine by me... I'm a morning person.)

VTX Pal says he'll be in town... I've invited him along.

Another idea:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=blacksburg,+VA&daddr=VA-61%2FWolf+Creek+Rd+to:Burkes+Garden,+VA+to:US-19%2FUS-460+to:Old+Wilderness+Rd%2FVA-42+to:37.286073,-80.614243+to:Prices+Fork+Rd%2FVA-412&hl=en&geocode=%3BFSzBOAId1OUs-w%3B%3BFZIXNgIdQnIj-w%3BFbQVNAId6I0l-w%3B%3BFcAAOAIdEHo0-w&mra=dme&mrcr=4,5&mrsp=5&sz=11&sll=37.226501,-80.683594&sspn=0.40404,0.617294&ie=UTF8&ll=37.315568,-80.59845&spn=1.614212,2.469177&t=h&z=9

This looks pretty good. I am up for whatever. I have never went on a really long ride but this looks doable. Sundog you are so organized. Thanks for doing the research.

Aw, phoo. As I write this, it looks like I may be out of town on the 8th. If so, then I'll catch up with you all on the next trip. (If not, then I'll see ya Saturday!)

Aw, phoo. As I write this, it looks like I may be out of town on the 8th.

Going sightseeing in NC, are ya? :naughty

Indeed.
(What's this? Are you stalking me, Carlitos? You turn up everywhere I look!) :D

So to update - who's going:

-vthoky & buddy: maybe
-hokie hornet: yes? no?
-femaletrouble3: maybe (I asked him on facebook)
-me: yes
-honda honey & husband: probably

Weather 30% chance isolated thunderstorms.

Anybody else interested? Anybody in the wider VA/WV/NC/TN area? If you're far away we could pick a spot that's halfway between us and you, have lunch & ride a little ways, then split up to head back.

I'm definitely going riding this weekend, and if people are going with me that would be great - but we could push the "official" group ride back a weekend or two if that means more could go.

My VTX-riding pal is out -- he's out of town next weekend.
I should know by Thursday afternoon whether or not I've got to travel on Saturday.

Hondahoney and hubby - YES!

Where do we want to meet up and what time?

Where do we want to meet up and what time?

That depends... if vthoky is going, then his suggestion of 8:00 AM would be fine. If he's not going, then I'm feeling more like 9:00 :cool:

The big map turnout just off 460 on VT campus? Is that a good central meeting place? I'll be house sitting at a place halfway between blacksburg and christiansburg this weekend, but where are you guys coming from?

FT3 won't make it, unfortunately.

I do not think I will be able to make it Saturday. If that changes I will post and update. Have fun. If you are going into Burkes Garden, do the loop all the way around (about 10 miles) and stop for an early lunch at the General Store.

http://www.tazewellcounty.org/tourism/broch%20pics/t_burkes%20garden%20gen%20store%202_md.jpg

I'm still waiting to find whether I'll be on the road Saturday or not... I'll post as soon as I know.

Weather forecast is now clear for Saturday!

Hokie Hornet, sorry to hear you probably can't make it - maybe next time.

vthoky - maybe you should "catch" the 24 hour flu :wink:

We live in Christiansburg, so the map at 9 sounds great!

Weather forecast is now clear for Saturday!

vthoky - maybe you should "catch" the 24 hour flu :wink:

I think what I caught is the Shaft (http://www.moviesforguys.com/movieimages/shaft.jpg). Dangit.

Sorry, friends. I'll have to catch the next trip. I'd like to ask, "Can we schedule it for sometime soon?" but it appears my weekends are toast for the rest of the month.

Phooey.

Have a great ride, friends, and be sure to post lots of pics. I'll be with ya in spirit.