Backroads of Appalachia

[nwguy]

I just discovered this site while planning for a trip this spring:

https://backroadsofappalachia.org/

Routes section here:

https://backroadsofappalachia.org/boa_map_trails/

Looks like a good resource with easy to read maps. I use motorcycleroads.com a lot for planning but their maps are obscured by lodging ads/markers and sometimes a PITA to reference.

[PeteS]

I have been on a few of those. Just know many are used by coal trucks and the pavement is not always the best and may have more than its share of gravel. Great scenery though, just not great sport bike roads. And if you have some tires with a more aggressive tread pattern, there are many roads marked with state and county road numbers that are just single lane gravel roads running over those hills likely filled with four wheelers.

Pete

[Perazzimx14]

I just discovered this site while planning for a trip this spring:

https://backroadsofappalachia.org/

Routes section here:

https://backroadsofappalachia.org/boa_map_trails/

Looks like a good resource with easy to read maps. I use motorcycleroads.com a lot for planning but their maps are obscured by lodging ads/markers and sometimes a PITA to reference.

If you want to ride good roads its pretty safe picking ANY road in West Virginia.

[TN Mark]

Come on out to south eastern TN. IMHO, even better riding than when I lived in Southern California.

[nwguy]

I will indeed be coming to SE Tennessee and WV. I'll be riding from the Seattle area and my main riding destination areas are AZ mountains (haven't explored AZ much), the Ozarks (been there, loved them) and Appalachia. I did some well known roads in NC (Deal's Gap, Cherohala Skyway, Hellbender, Mountain Meander, Copperhead Loop) on my last trip east. Since then have read the buzz about WV roads. I moved west from VA in 85' and miss the gentle Appalachian mountains. So yeah, WV, NC, VA, TN and KY are my main destinations. Will be riding my 99 Bassa.

[Ncdan]

I will indeed be coming to SE Tennessee and WV. I'll be riding from the Seattle area and my main riding destination areas are AZ mountains (haven't explored AZ much), the Ozarks (been there, loved them) and Appalachia. I did some well known roads in NC (Deal's Gap, Cherohala Skyway, Hellbender, Mountain Meander, Copperhead Loop) on my last trip east. Since then have read the buzz about WV roads. I moved west from VA in 85' and miss the gentle Appalachian mountains. So yeah, WV, NC, VA, TN and KY are my main destinations. Will be riding my 99 Bassa.

Are you going to bypass NC???

[Wayne Orwig]

Lots of great roads to explorer there.
But many are 'working' roads, so you need to be aware of the coal trucks and road damage.

[nwguy]

Are you going to bypass NC???

And miss seeing you? No way! I'll be in touch. 

[Ncdan]

And miss seeing you? No way! I'll be in touch. 

Maybe plan a night stay over with Lisa and I👍

[ridingron]

Lots of great roads to explorer there.
But many are 'working' roads, so you need to be aware of the coal trucks and road damage.

Does the coal dust from the trucks make the roads slick? When it gets wet, are the roads slicker?

[nwguy]

Does the coal dust from the trucks make the roads slick? When it gets wet, are the roads slicker?

I'd like to know the answer to this too.

[nwguy]

Maybe plan a night stay over with Lisa and I👍

PM'd you.

[PeteS]

Coal trucks cover their loads much like trash haulers. They are heavy and breakup the pavement plus they drive fast and sometimes take a wide swath in curves. Stay aware and ride at sensible pace and you will be OK. Not all those roads listed are in coal country.

Pete

[Ncdan]

I took a trip through that area a few years back with a group of my ole retired motor compadres.
It’s like going back through time going through those old mostly abandoned mining towns.
There were around 20 of us. We stopped at a little town restaurant in WAR W.Va for lunch. They had to send the waitress over to the grocery store to get enough food and drinks to serve us. We put together 200 bucks for the 3 employees to split when we departed.
It is a great experience. As far as the roads and other vehicular traffic. Just ride defensively and you won’t have any issues other than a possible act of God.

[Wayne Orwig]

Does the coal dust from the trucks make the roads slick? When it gets wet, are the roads slicker?

When I was in that area, (in western WV) it had rained. There were spots of mud and slime.
There was one spot north of Charleston that had a thick layer of loose coal dust.

Don't get me wrong, I love riding in those areas, particularly in the fall.