Ontario to Deals Gap

[Moosehead]

Hello Everyone,

My wife and I are heading to the Smoky Mountains very soon. I know about Skyline Drive, Blue ridge Parkway, Deals Gap and the Cherohala Skyway, but I am interested in any information about other roads not to miss. We would also be interested in any attractions not to miss. Last time we were down we spent most of a day at the Biltmore House and enjoyed it very much. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you muchly

 

[bramfrank]

I have no idea where Baden Ontario is (admitedly too lazy to look it up), but I'll assume you'll be passing through some very interesting riding through Pennsylvania - get off the slab and ride 2-laners. but you probably know al that.

I did Suches GA, went down through Alabama and Kentuky where some of the roads were just absolutely lovely (2 lanes through rolling hillsides with fenced ranches - lots of horses and such).

There's even a really nice twistie road in Chatanooga TN, inside the city limits that was as much fun as Deal's Gap.

I have routes for the Blue Ridge Parkway, Cherohala Skyway, Deal's Gap and Skyline Drive and the inside of the Suches loop I can send you and can send you the track of what I went down through in PA . . . . PM me with an e-mail address if you want them..

 

[mmonroe]

I was just in your area a few weeks ago. I did a big loop around Lake Huron back down into North Carolina. I live fairly close to Charlotte.

Anyway...

If you are looking for something different, you cant go wrong coming down through the Monongahela in West Virgina. 220 is one of my all time favorite roads. 220 will come all the way down from Penn down to Bland at highway 77 (via 615 and 42). 219 is also nice but I prefer 220 since it is less traveled. I did this whole area a couple of weeks ago on my ZX-14.

I would recommend Seneca Rocks and Yokoms for either affordable camping or hotel room. I broke down and got one of their ecomony rooms for a couple of nights for $35 US/night. They have a great campground if you want to save some cash.

There is a town called Paint Bank at the intersection of 311 and 600. There is a Buffalo Farm down 600 a couple of miles. There is a country store in Paint Bank that sells buffalo steaks and burgers. The buffalo farm is awesome and so are the burgers. If you have time, you should stop by there.

421 down through Roan Mountain and then over to 181 down from Jonas Ridge to 40 is a great way to drop down from West Virgina and Virginia into North Carolina.

If you have time, you can drop down through Mount Rogers National forest, Cherokee, Pisgah, etc. All of these areas are "less traveled" but very popular with folks trying to get off of the main roads such as the Blue Ridge Parkway or Skyline.

I on a side note, I really enjoyed my trip around Lake Huron. Did a side trip and accidently ran into Big Chute. Wow. Spent the day on the Canadian side of Niagra Falls. I love Canada! Every time I have been up there, everyone really made me feel at home and "wanted". :yahoo:



MarkM

 

[Bungie]

There is a town called Paint Bank at the intersection of 311 and 600. There is a Buffalo Farm down 600 a couple of miles. There is a country store in Paint Bank that sells buffalo steaks and burgers. The buffalo farm is awesome and so are the burgers. If you have time, you should stop by there.

The restaurant in Paint Bank just doesn't belong there! Its a must stop!

Paint Bank General Store

 

[fjrob1300]

Hey Mike. I'd listen to Mark.

My 2c

 

[Moosehead]

Thanx Mark,

I have marked Paint Bank as a waypoint.(thanx for the pic Steve). I prefer the less travelled routes and 181 looks like my kinda road. I think I will take 219 to Skyline and Blueridge on the way down and 40-181-421 up to 42-615 and 220 on the way back.

I found all kinds of fun roads in the Smoky Mountains area.

The Big Chute marine railway is really cool and the roads to and from are a little curvy even though they are a bit slow 60kph.

Thanx again for the tips,

Mike

 

[Joe2Lmaker]

Holy **** man you are really getting around this year!

 

[luvtoride]

and 220 on the way back.

If your preference is twisty roads, 219 through WV will trump 220. 220 is sweepers. You can do the road fast but it is sweepers... pretty scenic, also. Only speaking of the WV/VA area... not commenting on the rest of 220 north to PA.

Mmonroe, was your first picture taken in Monterey, VA? (int of 220 & 250)... Have you ever done 250? East and west of there on 250 has outstanding riding.

Edited to add: forgot to comment on 311 and Paint Bank. The part of 311 from Paint Bank to Newcastle over Potts Mountain is outstanding. These guys know what they're talking about.

 

[BugR]

See if you can fit Pennsylvania Route 144 in.

A great way to travel North\South through Pennsylvania

Runs parallel to US 219 to the East, much less traffic, nice back road wooded ride.

Take off US 219, US 6 East to Galeton then south

Southern end is close to US 220 and US 219 a quick hop on I-80 will get you to either one.

A little bit of a jog but a hoot to ride.

Chris

 

[wheatonFJR]

See if you can fit Pennsylvania Route 144 in.A great way to travel North\South through Pennsylvania

Runs parallel to US 219 to the East, much less traffic, nice back road wooded ride.

Take off US 219, US 6 East to Galeton then south

Southern end is close to US 220 and US 219 a quick hop on I-80 will get you to either one.

A little bit of a jog but a hoot to ride.

Chris

That BugR knows what he's talking about! :clapping: