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I find it useful for one thing...as a nice relaxing "highway" for up to 30 mile stretches after I'm done with my "fun" riding. But my house is right off of it, too, so often it's easy to just find my way back to the closest point on the BRP when I'm "done" and cruise back.

Oh, it's also very useful to bicycle on, especially since that stretch of 35MPH speed limit BRP is what's between Grandfather and the exit for my house. It's a nice climb to Grandfather, and then a nice downhill trip back home.


--Donnie

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Been messing with a route on google maps. This one's 677 miles. Been dragging the route line from straight lines to squiggly ones

http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=112+P ... ,10,11&z=9

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Mike Whitney
whit32@gmail.com, 919-454-5445
V10, V8, V8t, I6, I6, V6, F4t, I4, I4, I4, I4, I2, 1, 1

Here's a slightly abbreviated version that puts me on Rt 16 which was recommended elsewhere. Also added some Blue Ridge parkway.

FYI I want to stop by or camp at Smith Mt Lake to check it out as a possible future family vacation spot...

http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=112+P ... 14&t=p&z=9

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Mike Whitney
whit32@gmail.com, 919-454-5445
V10, V8, V8t, I6, I6, V6, F4t, I4, I4, I4, I4, I2, 1, 1

Just as long as you're ready to re-route if you hit dirt roads or take them on anyway, it looks reasonable. As for Smith Mountain Lake, remember Carl and Emmie have a condo they rent there, too.


--Donnie

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My Blog

Sounds like we need to have a moto weekend gathering at Donnie's BRP house!

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Brian

2010 K1300GT
2001 E39 M5
2003 540iT Sport

+1. Or atleast a gathering of some sort

Here is the 10-day, 2000mi route I call the Appalachian Loop Ride (mostly dirt). It basically goes up the east side of the mountains and back down on the west side from Ga to Maryland and back.



In April we did the southern half. I've done the eastern side of the northern half, but I haven't done the WV/Kentucky section yet. I do one of these epic rides almost every year. The biggest problem is finding playmates. I'm always looking for folks to come - my wife really frowns on me going alone.

My favorite story: Sitting around the campfire after completing the Shenandoah 500 in October 2005, the boys & I hatch a plan to ride the TransAmerica Trail (4500mi of dirt from NC to Oregon) the following spring. I do all the planning and prep, one by one, all 5 drop out by March. I ended up delaying it a year, finding new "boys" and shortening the trip from 3-weeks to one (NC to AR).

I'm still looking to finish that trip. Let me know when you guys or gals wanna ride.

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09 Bullitt - DD
11 Fusion - Wife's DD
03 Mazda6 - Track car
00 PSD Excursion - Tow rig
67 Firebird - Don't you still own your 1st car?
61 F100 - Dad's truck
90 Moto Guzzi Calif III - Tourer
00 Cagiva - Adventure bike
00 DRZ400 - Woods bike

This is the Cline Hall Historic tour. Past where I was born, High school and golf course I grew up on, where my parents are buried, where I went to school when I lived in Roanoke, etc, etc. It will be listed on some of the historic markers! The best hot dogs in the world are at the DQ in Bluefield WV on cumberland road

Have fun!

I agree on the Motorcycle outing at Donnies'!

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2002 MCS, 2003 MCS Track Rat, 2003 Generic White Yukon, 2003 BMWk1200rs, 1973 CB350F, 02 996. 08 Cayenne Turbo
http://www.clinehallagency.com

Thanks for the plug, Donnie! This is an easier URL to remember: http://www.virginiabreeze.com

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Carl Fisher

Be Cool to the Pizza Dude:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/stor ... Id=4651531

i hate each and every one of you who has contributed to this thread (ok maybe not carl). after 10+ years of being motorcycle free i now have to get something to exorcise the two wheeled demons from my brain. first i was thinking naked street bike but after riding a fz6 on wed i decided that inline fours were too wide/heavy. next i rode a dr650, big torque and surprisingly fun but brakes and tires a little weak for street duty. then i tried a drz400sm which was pretty nifty, although maybe a bit underpowered. klr650 is still a possibility, i hear they're bulletproof and have tons of aftermarket options (racks, bags, etc). my dirt bike buddy swears by ktm and said i should check the (expensive) 690 smc, looks like triangle cycles has one. and combustion cycles in durham appears to specialize in kawasaki ex650 streetfighters which is a very interesting option. and no matter what i get, i'll install one of those 2x2 bike racks that donnie posted.

bastards, all of you.

Yeah, this place is a awesome for picking up ITMSD's (Internet Transmitted MotorSport Disease) But Jason you live in an awesome place for a bike Great ares right around the house, get out of the triangle fast and to the mountains with relative ease.

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2002 MCS, 2003 MCS Track Rat, 2003 Generic White Yukon, 2003 BMWk1200rs, 1973 CB350F, 02 996. 08 Cayenne Turbo
http://www.clinehallagency.com

Having come from Charlotte, I do not consider the mountains as "relative ease" in closeness. I remember being able to go into the mountains and be back by 1 or 2 in the afternoon. Being here, its an all day trip. I am sure its easier then were you are at though.

FWIW, the KLR has a lot of aftermarket options because it *needs* them. As soon as you address one point, you find another and another and another you have to do. The brakes REALLY suck on that bike, too, IMHO. But you're right, it is bulletproof for the most part and a good starting point if you have upgrade-itis anyway.

The 2x2 dude is pretty awesome. Just call him up if you do decide to buy one and you can probably just go over there on your bike and he'll install it for you. He'll definitely do it if there's any reason the install isn't cookie-cutter...that's what he did for me.


--Donnie

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My Blog

rode a klr650 this morning, wasn't overly impressed. i'm sure it's a great adventure bike but for mostly street use it's subpar. and probably useless at vir (i'd be lying if i said i'll never attempt to track whatever i buy at least a couple of times). also rode a sv650 and loved it, unfortunately the one i tried was carbed not FI which i would much prefer. the ktm 690 smc at triangle cycles was very impressive looking but damn expensive, not sure it's worth the extra coin. we'll see how badly they want to get rid of it

Jason, Sadly, right after you settle on what you believe to be the perfect bike for you, you'll come to realize that just one won't do. You'll need a touring bike for those long hwy rides, an adventure that can go offroad and still carry gear, and a woods bike for when you decide to basecamp and just tear up the trails. You gotta have the right tool for the job - or at least that is what I'm telling my wife as I'm debating adding a touring bike to our collection.

The adventure bike - is there anything cooler than a 904cc Ducati V-twin with knobbies?


The woods bike - after completing the Shenandoah 500!

_________________
09 Bullitt - DD
11 Fusion - Wife's DD
03 Mazda6 - Track car
00 PSD Excursion - Tow rig
67 Firebird - Don't you still own your 1st car?
61 F100 - Dad's truck
90 Moto Guzzi Calif III - Tourer
00 Cagiva - Adventure bike
00 DRZ400 - Woods bike