VA: Driving up 81N near roanoke? Bored out of your mind? Check out this detour...

[big_sur]

Heading North from Roanoke

Exit 162 towards Buchannan on Route 11N

Right on Route 43S(This is where the fun begins)

Left onto the Blue Ridge Parkway

Go up and over the Peaks of Otter

Exit Parkway right, then Left onto 501(BP station <1mile to the right if you're low)

Left onto Route 130 "The Mountain"

Left to stay on 130 towards glasgow(Or turn around and hit the mtn one more time)

Left onto South Lee Hwy to take you back to 81.


Takes about an hour and maybe $10 in gas depending on your foot but worth every penny to enjoy some of SW VAs best twisties.

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l7...5/81detour.jpg

[RayfieldsWRX]

I THINK I've been on that road...there are some fun ones in the Roanoke area.

[Rogan]

Heading North from Roanoke

Exit 162 towards Buchannan on Route 11N

Right on Route 43S(This is where the fun begins)

Left onto the Blue Ridge Parkway

Go up and over the Peaks of Otter

Exit Parkway right, then Left onto 501(BP station <1mile to the right if you're low)

Left onto Route 130 "The Mountain"

Left to stay on 130 towards glasgow(Or turn around and hit the mtn one more time)

Left onto South Lee Hwy to take you back to 81.


Takes about an hour and maybe $10 in gas depending on your foot but worth every penny to enjoy some of SW VAs best twisties.

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l7...5/81detour.jpg

Awesome!

Streets and Trips ftw!

And another nice one is Rt.211 from I-81 to Warrenton.. Some of those curvies through the mtns are so sharp, you can check your own brake lights

[efmd3]

Heading North from Roanoke

Exit 162 towards Buchannan on Route 11N

Right on Route 43S(This is where the fun begins)

Left onto the Blue Ridge Parkway

Go up and over the Peaks of Otter

Exit Parkway right, then Left onto 501(BP station <1mile to the right if you're low)

Left onto Route 130 "The Mountain"

Left to stay on 130 towards glasgow(Or turn around and hit the mtn one more time)

Left onto South Lee Hwy to take you back to 81.


Takes about an hour and maybe $10 in gas depending on your foot but worth every penny to enjoy some of SW VAs best twisties.

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l7...5/81detour.jpg

looks like quite the detour!!
i've driven the BRP from asheville east to the next exit or so...very beautiful scenery

[Rogan]

http://img388.imageshack.us/img388/3943/rt211fk9.jpg

heres the Rt211 twisties section.. it's much more wicked than the map shows. the red line, ive tried to roughly duplicate the actual turns, roughly..

[efmd3]

http://img388.imageshack.us/img388/3943/rt211fk9.jpg

heres the Rt211 twisties section.. it's much more wicked than the map shows. the red line, ive tried to roughly duplicate the actual turns, roughly..

wow, theres a section of NC 9 going south from Black mountain, NC that i tried going the posted speed limit of 30-35 and I nearly lost it on a couple of the hairpins. ultimately had to slow down to 20 on the return trip.

[smorris]

http://img388.imageshack.us/img388/3943/rt211fk9.jpg

heres the Rt211 twisties section.. it's much more wicked than the map shows. the red line, ive tried to roughly duplicate the actual turns, roughly..

I did 211 on a motorcycle several times 20+ years ago. I lived off of Rt 3 east of Culpeper. There were some spectacular roads west of me!

[Rogan]

yessireee!

Asesome garage collection, btw

[smorris]

yessireee!

Asesome garage collection, btw

Thanks. Too many toys, too long until retirement!

[josnroh]

That is a beautiful area of the country.

[RayfieldsWRX]

Thanks. Too many toys, too long until retirement!

OT:I thought that you had the end in sight, Steve.

[smorris]

OT:I thought that you had the end in sight, Steve.

It is. It is still too long...

(fifteenmonthsandtwentysevendaysbutwhoiscounting)

Although with the current market slump, that may get extended...

Hey! Stay on topic!

[azWRX06]

If you want a mountain in that area. Keep driving north through the valley. Take 81N to the 37 bypass (only a few miles), take it to route 50W and head towards WV.

There are two ways up the mountain, this is usually the most fun. After you get to Gormainia, keep driving for Deep Creek Lake in MD.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=e...38477&z=8&om=1

[mbs627]

Why didn't I read this last week

[Guero]

Route 130

I learned to drive on this road, I can attest that it is an amazing drive. If you wait another month or so once all the leaves are down it provides an amazing view too. Watch out for bikes though.