Favorite Ride

[dunvilsteev]

I think this might be fun .... not sure if it has been done before.

Imagine one of your fellow Venturerider buddies is coming to visit for a

day, and you are going to take him/her out for a ride.

 

 

The rules are:

• near YOUR house
  
• total ride no more than 5 hours
  
• show them the area, and your favourite roads
  

If we piece them all together, we'll have riding nirvana!

 

Mine is:

 

Out of Dunnville heading towards Lowbanks for the shore ride along to Port Colborne. Show them the optical illusion on the beach. Take Hwy 3 to Fort Erie and now north along Niagara Parkway, passed Millionaires Row. Passed Niagara Falls, getting damp at Tablerock and checking out all the tourists. Just as we get to the town limits of Niagara-on-the-Lake turn left on Rd81 so we can go drop into Chocolate Effects (yum). Take the route passed Niagara College and then through the tunnel under the Welland Canal. Now onto Decew Rd, through Effingham area and then onto Twenty Mile Rd (RR 69). After a short trip down RR 4 its back home in time for supper.

 

[Bummer]

It's been done. It's good to do it again. The season is approaching. Might as well do some planning.

 

Here's mine: Indiana 135 through Story to Freetown, west on 58 to Kurtz. Lunch at the 58 Cafe. On to 446, then north. Ice cream at 446 and 46, then east to where we started. About 75 miles. This also goes through Nashville, which is a nice little tourist trap.

 

There's a more than passing chance that this ride, or a variation on it, will be a M&E some time this summer, as it has in the past. It has the prerequisites. Good roads. Nice place to eat - very biker friendly. Ice cream.

 

We usually meet on the west side of Columbus and head west on 46 from there.

[Condor]

I have two rides at the top of my list.

 

One is Sierraville CA to Nevada City CA.

Great twisty country

 

And the other is,

 

Podre Canyon Ft Collins CO to Rustic CO

Easy river run for lunch

[Venturous Randy]

Even though I am very familiar with most of it, The Blue Ridge Parkway is my favorite place. Not only because of the maginificant scenery and the sweeping curves, but no commercial traffic really makes it special. And, given that it is special, I have noticed that other riders on the BRP seem a bit more friendly.

What also makes the BRP very special is the many places that can be visited that are near by, whether it is a ride to a neat mountain town, a good hike or visiting a waterfall.

I am about an hours drive to the parkway near the Little Switzerland area.

RandyA

[Monty]

Ride from one end of the Natchez Trace Parkway to the other... Just beautiful.

[Ky. Rider]

If you are in extreme western Ky. ride the Trace in Land Between The Lakes. 60 miles of no houses, no commercial traffic and beautiful scenery. Good restaurants on either the north (Grand Rivers. Ky.) or south (Dover, Tn.) end. We ride that area from my house frequently and can make a good 5 hr. ride including the Trace + more good roads. Included on the Trace are picnic areas and a few places to visit such as the 1880's Homeplace. A welcome station on each end will give other information.

[The Black Pearl]

Here in northern michigan if you go north on us-31 to petoskey then follow m-119 its a small 2 lane right on the coast plenty of twistys and views just love that ride!!! Great place to eat at the end (leggs inn)

[SilvrT]

In this area there's not too many ride variations a person can do in a 5 hr timeline but the one we do most often is ...

 

Start from home in Burnaby

Make our way over to hwy 7 thru Maple Ridge and out to Mission...stop there for coffee.

Then on to Agassiz, across the river to Rosedale and follow the back route to Chilliwack

From Chilliwack, we work our way over to Yarrow, then hook up with the freeway to Watcom road...stop for coffee and donut.

From there it's over to Vye road and straight past the Abbotsford airport, little jog over to 16th and back down to 8th and over to White Rock.

Cruise the strip at White Rock and maybe stop for fish & chips or some appy's and take in the "strip-cruisers" (those who know White Rock will know what I mean)

From there it's back home to Burnaby.

 

[ATTACH]43065[/ATTACH]

[short-haul]

I know it don't follow the rules But I rarely do.

I am with Monty "Natchez Trace Parkway" was there 2 years ago and love it

[LilBeaver]

Well... Sadly, I cannot say I have a 'favorite' ride yet from my house. Yup, things are that exciting here in the panhandle...

 

Although one that is of potential interest would be the following:

 

1) Leave lubbock

2) Head up to Floydada, go N on HWY 207 up towards Caprock Canyon state park.

3) Cruise around the park, then continue N on HWY 207 past lake Mackenzie and along the East side of Palo Duro Canyon Park

4) cut west, tour Palo Duro Canyon

5) Fill up and head back about the same way but on the next highway East

 

Total ride distance would be ~375 miles, but could easily be cut to about 300. Although it is quite a bit over your 5 hour time limit.

 

An approximate map:

 

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=33.578015,-101.865578&daddr=114+U.S.+82,+Crosbyton,+Crosby,+Texas+79322+to:Farm+to+Market+Rd+651+N+to:TX-70+N+to:TX-70+N+to:TX-207+N%2FTX-86+W+to:Farm+to+Market+Rd+1258+to:Farm+to+Market+Rd+1258+to:W+Farm+to+Market+Rd+1151+to:Palo+Duro+Dr%2FTX-217+E+to:State+Hwy+Park+Rd+5+to:19th+St&hl=en&geocode=%3BFVecAQId-jn3-Smj9M8b7cn_hjGYhaXqRpc5fA%3BFZRoBgId2vj2-Q%3BFT47BwId3E_9-Q%3BFcw5DwIdtnb7-Q%3BFaIYDgIdSwb1-Q%3BFRDdFQIdKBH1-Q%3BFSD0FgId0G3w-Q%3BFYxzFwId1uzt-Q%3BFQfXFQIdWBzw-Q%3BFcIDFQIdWh_x-Q%3BFbZbAAIdxpPt-Q&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=0&sz=12&sll=33.590885,-101.752625&sspn=0.197334,0.308647&ie=UTF8&ll=34.386513,-101.233521&spn=1.572999,2.469177&z=9

[zoner]

Close to MY house you say.......hmmmmm

 

Well, since I live in Stoney Creek, just a stones throw from Dunnville, (many a coffee at Timmys' there), my favorite ride is the same as YOURS!!! Only difference is, coming back out of Port Delusie I take the north service road beside the QEW all the way to Hwy 20 and home. Try to make this my annual "first ride" with good weather of the season.

 

All winter we talk about our "Niagara Run"...... Can't Wait!!!

[RandyR]

From Dahlonega Ga, go north on GA 60 to Suches, take 160 east to Vogel State park and US 129. North on US 129 to east on GA 180 accross Brasstown Bald. South on GA 75 to Helen for a rest stop (if its not a weekend, then bypass Helen).

 

If pressed for time then take GA 75 to Cleveland and GA 115 back to Dahlonega.

 

If enough time for a more scenic route then take GA ALT 75 back to US 129, US 129 to Adair Mill Road, to Town Creek Road, to Town Creek Church Road, to Cavendar Creek Road, and back to Dahlonega with a stop at Rider's Hill for an ice cream and coffee.

 

I'm leading the North GA M&E ride in a couple of months, and we'll probably do some of this.

[Sailor]

Leave our house and ride down to Fulford. Take the Ferry to Swarts Bay. Take the back roads in to Victoria. Hang a right and ride over the Malahat. Stop at the top of the "hat" for a great view over the Canadian Gulf Islands and the American San Juans. Continue up to Duncan and hang a right at Herd road. Take first left (at flashing light) and ride through Chemainus and re-join the highway at Ladysmith. Continue north and take a right just before Cassidy and head out to Yellow Point. Stop at the Crow and Gate ( old English style pub) for lunch. Continue north. Take the bypass around Nanaimo ( watch for radar traps). Continue north along the coast to Parksville/Qualicum. Head back south to Crofton and take the ferry to Vesuvius on Saltspring and back home.

 

Alternative route....From home take the ferry at Vesuvius to Crofton. Take a right at the stop sign and head north through Chemainus and Nanaimo, Qualicum and keep going north to Comox/Courtney and turn left and ride up to the Mt Washington ski resort. Stop for lunch ( No snow in the summer) Great views. Return home via Crofton.

 

Alternative route...Ferry to Crofton and head north but at Parksville head west Stop at Cathedral Grove. Huge trees. Keep going west to Port Alberni. Stop for lunch at the Rock Swale cafe. Continue west over the mountain to Long Beach. Head up to Tofino for coffee and check out the beaches along the way. If you saw the You Gotta be here "ads for B.C. then you saw part of Cathedral grove and Long Beach. Head back via Crofton.

 

Ferry from Fulford and back roads in to Victoria. Hang a right and then left off the Highway and through Langford then the coast road to Sooke. Stop at the Sooke Pot Holes along the way. From Sooke head north to Port Renfrew. From there head east over the mountains to Lake Cowichan. Take the back roads in to Duncan. Stop at Craig St pub for lunch.Continue out to Crofton and ferry back to Saltspring.

 

On the way out take the back roads. If you are in a hurry you can always return via the freeway.

 

For those who are into hot rods there is a car show nearly every weekend starting up at Comox/Courtney and moving south every other week to Victoria. I got "Best Choped Top " for my Merc at Qualicum one year ( about 800 cars n the show).

 

At all ferry's go to the front of the line. Bikes are first on/first off.

"

Edited March 22, 2010 by Sailor

[royalstarjac]

http://www.tailofthedragon.com/maps/PDF/BestRoads09.pdf

[Monty]

If you are in extreme western Ky. ride the Trace in Land Between The Lakes. 60 miles of no houses, no commercial traffic and beautiful scenery. Good restaurants on either the north (Grand Rivers. Ky.) or south (Dover, Tn.) end. We ride that area from my house frequently and can make a good 5 hr. ride including the Trace + more good roads. Included on the Trace are picnic areas and a few places to visit such as the 1880's Homeplace. A welcome station on each end will give other information.

 

You forgot to tell e'm about the Elk and Bison range on that road. Very nice ride. We rode it two weeks ago.

[dunvilsteev]

Close to MY house you say.......hmmmmm

 

Well, since I live in Stoney Creek, just a stones throw from Dunnville, (many a coffee at Timmys' there), my favorite ride is the same as YOURS!!! Only difference is, coming back out of Port Delusie I take the north service road beside the QEW all the way to Hwy 20 and home. Try to make this my annual "first ride" with good weather of the season.

 

All winter we talk about our "Niagara Run"...... Can't Wait!!!

 

 

Hey zoner ..... can't wait myself .... can be cool along there, temperature-wise.

I've been to RR 69 for a quick trip, and then stopped into the Motorcycle Gear store on hwy 20 .... been there?

Love Dalhousie myself, especially that restaurant alongside the river... can't remember the name...

And Timmies in town ..... OMG talk about a gold mine, it is always busy. I hear they own the old Pizza Hut building east on hwy 3 just before CTC, expect a new one there soon as they get the new arena built, which is going just down the side street. (dunnville gossip )

[BradT]

Here is our favorite but it is a bit longer than 5 hours it is a 460 mile day.

 

A bit of super slab to get to the really nice roads but it is worth it

 

Brad

[camos]

Leave our house and ride down to Fulford. Take the Ferry to Swarts Bay. Take the back roads in to Victoria. Hang a right and ride over the Malahat. Stop at the top of the "hat" for a great view over the Canadian Gulf Islands and the American San Juans. Continue up to Duncan and hang a right at Herd road. Take first left (at flashing light) and ride through Chemainus and re-join the highway at Ladysmith. Continue north and take a right just before Cassidy and head out to Yellow Point. Stop at the Crow and Gate ( old English style pub) for lunch. Continue north. Take the bypass around Nanaimo ( watch for radar traps). Continue north along the coast to Parksville/Qualicum. Head back south to Crofton and take the ferry to Vesuvius on Saltspring and back home.

 

Don't know how well this will work out but here is the route, more or less, on google maps.

http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Swartz+Bay,+North+Saanich,+BC&daddr=Duncan+BC+to:Chemainus+BC+to:Ladysmith+BC+to:Yellow+Point+BC+to:Nanaimo+BC+to:49.315779,-124.318199+to:Parksville+BC+to:Crofton+BC&geocode=FXfY5gIdatqk-Cmbnd9u82ePVDFS5NoQFzUBJg%3BFd1N6AIduYGg-Clb50gUXk-PVDHwDXsqFTUBBQ%3BFfR96gIdDjqg-Ck77PfVw1KPVDFtKBR1xmxXaQ%3BFcWU6wIde7ue-CnZpMh0la2IVDFADnsqFTUBBQ%3BFbXG7AIdBvie-CnDeuRf0qiIVDFCNVzx7XKGkQ%3BFVww7gIdb-Cc-ClbHKwgXqGIVDHQD3sqFTUBBQ%3B%3BFWOU8AIdvh-X-CnzCGn6WoWIVDEQEHsqFTUBBQ%3BFZ-g6QId7Uuh-CnLrexHlFGPVDGS5doQFzUBJg&gl=ca&hl=en&mra=dpe&mrcr=5&mrsp=6&sz=14&via=6&sll=49.311358,-124.284382&sspn=0.044206,0.07699&ie=UTF8&ll=49.300502,-124.281034&spn=0.044216,0.07699&t=h&z=14

 

Click on the camera to get street views.

[wild hair 39]

take a left or right,on us79,then hope they don't ask where i'm going,maybe i will remember,where it is,other wises i just fake it,some times i take a ride,and don;t have any idia,where i went

 

they are all good rides

lowell

[Sailor]

Hey Clive, I grew up in Saanich. I just signed up for the Ride For Dad in Victoria May 15. Might see you there?

[camos]

Hey Clive, I grew up in Saanich. I just signed up for the Ride For Dad in Victoria May 15. Might see you there?

I participated in the Ride For Dad last year and hopefully I'll be there again this year, don't know yet what my work schedule will be though. I tried to sign up last night but the registration link gave me a 404. Looks like they revamped the site so the trouble should be temporary.

[dunvilsteev]

Hey Clive, I grew up in Saanich. I just signed up for the Ride For Dad in Victoria May 15. Might see you there?

 

My daughter recently moved from Victoria, a beautiful area. Must be GREAT for riding !!

And a good cause too, have fun guys!