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Virginia Motorcycle Roads and Trips
Virginia (VA) "is for lovers" and motorcycle lovers will especially love this state as it has become one of the best motorcycle road states in America … rich in beauty, history, and amenities! Motorcycle rider's menu of scenery will include the Appalachian mountains, the Shenandoah Valley, and 112 miles of Atlantic coastline. The historical attractions include the country's first permanent English settlement at Jamestown, and some of the most important battlefields from both the Revolutionary and Civil wars (ex. Fredericksburg, Yorktown).
Note: the motorcycle rides below have been divided into two general regions:
- Northern Virginia (anything north of I-64)
- Southern Virginia (anything south of I-64)
Northern Virginia Motorcycle Rides
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Chopawamsic Backcountry Area Loop (Jun 10) |
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| ... This is a fun one to ride with a good mix of hills, good tight and sweeping turns ... the last 1/3 takes you thru some training areas of Quantico Marine Corp Base |
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Snickersville Turnpike (Jun 10) |
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| ... Mountain valleys, tree lined roads, scenic overlooks, waterfalls, historic landmarks. WOW! This is a continuation of a trip listed in West Virginia. Peterstown to Sweet Springs |
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Culpeper - Sperryville Loop (May 10) |
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| ... Beautiful farm country, then running south along the eastern base of the Shenandoah Mountains, then more farm country back to Culpeper ... Combination of narrow country roads, which are in good shape and nice turns |
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The Middleburg to The Plains Loop (Aug 09) |
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| ... vineyards and farms with scenic hills on the horizon. Through the farmlands and vineyards of the entry to the Virginia plains, on the horizon are the hills and mountains of the Shenandoah ... the roads are in very good condition |
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Manassas to Middleburg (Jul 09) |
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| ... Beautiful rolling hills and massive farms/plantations with lots of horses and gorgeous homes. Perfect scenery for a Virginia sunset ride, with sun setting over rolling green hill country. This is my favorite short ride for a quick escape from the hustle of the DC Metro Area |
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Paris to Waterloo on the Splendid 688! (Nov 08) |
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| ... Wow!!! I can't believe I've been riding motorcycles in the DC area for 12 years now and never found or heard about this beautiful little gem tucked away in Loudoun and Fauquier counties |
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The Chesapeake Bay Area Reservoir Ride (Oct 08) |
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| ... farms, reservoirs, trees and friendly neighbors. ... winding it's way through New Kent County before making two passes over Diascund Creek Reservoir ... I grin 90% of the ride |
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The Virginia Highlands Tour (May 08) |
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| ... take you through the incredible Virginia Highlands (Bath-Highland counties) and over to West Virginia's Monongahela National Forest ... sweeping views from mountain vistas and open valleys to narrow winding roads mark the territory you'll be riding through |
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US 250 (listed as both a VA and WV ride) (May 08) |
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| ... ride up and over two large mountains and on both sides you will be treated to some panoramic vista views of the valley below ... very technically challenging switchbacks, tight corners, elevation changes ... if you enjoy taking-on challenging roads - you will really love this one |
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The Fort Valley & Thornton Gap Run (Dec 07) |
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| … takes you along a picturesque forest and creek-bed before it deposits you in a gorgeous valley… starts-off with a series of sweepers then you’ll hug the corners of some sheer rock walls and wind through thick forest … road offers tons of peg scraping twisties - its a thrilling ride |
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Leesburg VA to Antietam National Battlefield,
MD (Aug 07) |
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| … heading to the Antietam National Battlefield where you'll want to tour the battlefield by bike - be sure to climb the tower and to visit the bridge … a magnificent ride because of changing scenery alternating between farm and ranch land, the horse country, and the scenic riverside |
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Long way from Warrenton to Front Royal (Jul 06) |
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| … great scenic areas going over the Skyline Drive then farm and rural scenery … road quality is very good … your typical rural mountain roads with plenty of twists, turns, ascents and descents … plenty of restaurants and gas stations sprinkled throughout the path |
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Skyline Drive (Jul 05) |
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| … great mountain views and wildlife like deer and an occasional black bear … 105 miles of twisty mountain roads....all smooth, clean road |
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Woodbridge, VA to Seneca Rocks, WV (Jul 04) |
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| … excellent scenery … recommend you check out Smoke Hole Caverns as it has the world's largest Ribbon Stalactite, a free wildlife museum, restaurants, motels and other accommodations … tight turns and twisties … on one mountain pass, you will conquer a 120 degree switch-back with an immediate 30 to 40 degree uphill climb!! What a rush!!! |
Southern Virginia Motorcycle Rides
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The Nickel & Dime (Virginia State Route 5 and 10) (Jan 10) |
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| ... old route along James River plantations, awesome in summer and fall. That crosses over into Richmond by the battlefield then over the bridge and back down the other side. Catch a ferry ride back and down the Historic Colonial Parkway to the Battlefield at Yorktown |
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Military Road (Mar 10) |
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| ... There are plenty of side roads that are worth exploring, but be careful of gravel on the road from road work. You may also want to stay on Military road from beginning to end, the road condition stays perfect and the views good, but the ride I have listed gives a better variety of scenery. |
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Rt 42 - Virginia Mountains (Jan 10) |
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| ... the longest state road in VA. It runs from just north of Bristol VA (Glade Spring Rt 91) to Woodstock VA. 42 is west of I-81 and you will visit a lifestyle of Virginia that is lost in time. The ride is very mountainous, full of very small towns |
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The "Five & Dime" Ferry Run (Sep 09) |
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| … the scenic highlight part is the Ferry Ride at the half way point ... the Ferry Ride is fun ... lots of curvy roads on rt 10! |
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Steve's Quick Curvy Ride (Aug 08) |
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| ... in Chesterfield, VA there are many back roads like these. A friend of mine took be on this route and it was a blast!!! |
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Virginia's State Route 16 (Nov 04) |
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| … awesome mountains and countryside … 2 state parks - Hungry Mother State Park and Grayson Highlands State Park … pavement is well kept and smooth with some awesome scenery and plenty of twists and turns as you cross 3 mountains into Tazewell, VA |
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Route 80 in the Beautiful Southwest Corner
of VA (Jul 04) |
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| … incredible scenery that includes mountains, rivers, old buildings, historic landmarks and end up at beautiful Breaks Interstate Park inside of the Jefferson National Forest … the real thing to see is Breaks Interstate Park as its the main tourist attraction in the area |
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Blue Ridge Parkway (Mar 02) |
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| … this ride ambles through the Virginia country side with several sites to stop such as an old mill pond with a working millwheel and some Civil War battle sites … road itself is very well maintained and the many curves are gentle |
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Virginia Plantation, Settlement, and Battlefield
Tour (Nov 99) |
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| … if you enjoy seeing and experiencing American History, this route is unbeatable … roads along this route are nicely kept up and can have some nice turns to them … visit Colonial Williamsburg to walk the streets of an outstanding recreation of an 18th century capital of Virginia … |
Key |
Read this to understand our rating system. |
All our motorcycle roads and trips are rated on three key categories:
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Scenery
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Road Quality
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Roadside Amenities
Read the description below for each of the categories to understand what qualities give a road a strong or weak rating in each of the categories.
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A 5 star rating indicates ... |
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A 1 star rating indicates ... |
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Far above average scenery for that state. (Ex. mountain views, lakes, rivers, hills, or forests.) |
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Below average scenery for that state. (Ex. an area that simply is lacking in overall natural beauty.) |
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Outstanding driving conditions. Plenty of twists, turns & hills; well maintained roads with smooth pavement. |
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Straight roads over flat land or rough road conditions with
some potholes or driving
hazards such as gravel |
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Plenty of things to do when it's time to pull over. (Ex. museums, restaurants, pull-outs, historical sites, entertainment etc.) |
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Little to nothing to do when it's time to pull over. (Ex. lack of museums, restaurants, pull-outs, historical sites, entertainment etc.) |
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