Notes On The East Coast Trip: From Here To… Somewhere Far Away.
Throwing down some planning notes here that will eventually turn into a plan for riding up the east coast, maybe to Maine, maybe further, depending on what there is to do along the way.
Last time I went up the BRP was in Feb. Should look even better in the fall!
“Rt1 from Boston to Acadia seems to be nice for the ocean view”
Acadia NP
BRP to Skyline Dr.
” I would suggest going south another 30 miles on the BRP, then taking Rt. 56 west toward Vesuvius and Raphine. 56 turns into Rt 606, Raphine Rd. Head west then turn south on Rt.252 to Rt. 39.
56 off the Parkway is very steep and twisty. Rt 252 is back farm road with zero traffic. Rt. 39 goes through both the George Washington Nat. Forest then in WV, the Monongahela Nat. Forest. Very nice riding without the Waynesboro and Staunton traffic. 252-39 avoids Lexington traffic.”
West Virginia:
“One option-250 to 219 to 15 to 5 to 33 to 62 to 2 to huntington
Option 2–Rt 39 to 219 to 55/39 to 60 to 61(cross river) to 94 to 3 to 10 to huntington
option 3 – 250 to 28/92 to 66 to 219 to 150 to public rd 86 to 20(to Cowen) to 82 to 19 to 4 to 119 to 214 to 3 to 10
Those are all paved with lots of twisties, minimal 4 lane. “
“You really need to take 555 through south eastern ohio.”
“If you’re camping, consider Blue Ridge Cycle Camp in Crusoe, NC on 276 just north of the BRP.”
“I lived in Maine for 4 years. Some of the best scenery in Maine can be found by riding down the dead end peninsulas along the coast. My favorite spot was at the end of 209 at Fort Popham. At the end of this road is a beautiful beach, an old stone fort, lots of water, a scenic fishing village across the river, a couple of islands with lighthouses on them, a seafood restaurant, and it’s a nice scenic ride to get there. To get there, take HWY 1 to Bath Me, and go south on 209. I believe there’s camping there too.”
“If you have time for a 1/2+ day side trip once in VA at the end of the BRP take Rt 33 west into WV then 220 north to Rt 50 east back towards Winchester, VA and then continue on north using whatever route you choose. This route will take you on some great twisties, sweeping curves, and thru tons of beautiful scenery with minimal cars.”
“If you’re riding a capable bike, the Heintooga road — a one way , south bound dirt road is pretty nifty. You could do it in a buick, but it does offer some relief from the pavement of the BRP. It leaves the BRP a bit south of Maggie Valley, and dumps you out in the hinterlands of Cherokee.”
Pennsylvania/New York:
“If you choose the more westerly route, go through the PA parks mentioned above, then the Grand Canyon and then north, do something like this:
PA Rt 6 to 287.
North on 15 to Corning. (If it’s your thing, stop at Corning Glass – very cool.)
Rt 414 NE to Watkins Glen (of race track fame)
Rt 79 to Ithaca. Take in the gorges.
An alternative to Ithaca from Corning would be to take I-86/Rt 17 east to Horseheads (not much to recommend it) and then Rt 13 to Ithaca (through Newfield State Forest).
Out of Ithaca, take Rt 79 and then 366 to Dryden.
Rt 38 to Harford Mills, but pick up 211 N (toward Hunts Corners and Marathon) before you get there.
Turn north on Rt 41 and 26.
Turn east on Rt 23 for 30 miles or so (very approximate).
Turn north on Rt 8 N
Turn east on Rt 80 into Cooperstown (Baseball Hall of Fame, nice town, nice lake. Lots of places to stay – but you’re within striking distance of Albany, 1.5 to 2 hours unless you poke around)”
Callicoon, NY (Rt 97, 7 miles south)
Rt 100 through Vermont
