The Blue Ridge Trail....... a work in progress

[troutwhisperer]

Great idea! I live in Western part of Amherst County, so if you need someone to check and/or scout public access in this area let me know.

[nxdirtbag]

We did a ds ride from Speedwell(?) to Damascus and back a few years ago and it was a great trip.

I don't know how much help I can be, but I am in Roanoke, VA and will stay tuned to see how it goes.

[error cooled]

Originally Posted by nxdirtbag

I don't know how much help I can be, but I am in Roanoke, VA and will stay tuned to see how it goes.

Big thanks again to those interested in the route.

In addition the support from VDOT and the GWNF/JNF I have also gotten the local library helping me out with historical maps. Simply put the inclusion of historical Virginia Department of Highway Maps from 1947 and 1969 add a tremendous amount of good waypoints into the mix.

I will keep you all posted - the first 1/3 of the route will be completed soon.

[intothenew]

Maptech has some online historical maps that might interest you. Let me know if there is anything I can do.

[Flip756]

I'm in Roanoke and will volunteer however I can. I used to run off road events for Land Rover Roanoke. Unfortunately my seat time off road on two wheels is limited but I can offer my knowledge and maps (mostly paper) of the trails that can be run in lifted and stock SUV's.

[error cooled]

Originally Posted by intothenew

Maptech has some online historical maps that might interest you. Let me know if there is anything I can do.

Much appreciated. Your TWVT was a big inspiration

Originally Posted by Flip756

I'm in Roanoke and will volunteer however I can. I used to run off road events for Land Rover Roanoke. Unfortunately my seat time off road on two wheels is limited but I can offer my knowledge and maps (mostly paper) of the trails that can be run in lifted and stock SUV's.

Flip - Thanks for the support. I will definitely look for some help from you. I want this route to be awesome for dual sports and worthy 4x4s. I daily drive an older Land Cruiser that I hope to scout with.

Map Notes:

One of the most helpful tools for this route has been the VDOT County Map atlas. This is a phenomenal tool for us ADVers. It is a huge (blueprint size x 100 pages) bundle of detailed county maps from VDOT that lists every state maintained road. It breaks down roads by surface type which allows me to link Forest Development Roads to lesser know gravel/dirt and scenic roads. I have included some pictures for reference. You can order a copy of this thing for the bargain price of $35 bucks. You can order this with this form: http://www.virginiadot.org/VDOT/Trav...le728_2357.pdf

Check it out:

[niceviewbehindbars]

That is a awesome map. I gotta get one of those!

[sdthorpe]

Holy Crap, that map almost gives me a stiffy.

Anybody know if every state has this sort of thing?!?

[markjenn]

Originally Posted by sdthorpe

Anybody know if every state has this sort of thing?!?

I look for this sort of thing when I move somewhere. I few have ways of ordering individual county maps, but this is the first I've seen where they are bundled together in printed form and sold at a reasonable price.

Many (most?) states do have the county map PDF's available online these days though, so probably just a matter of doing all the printing, although having them on smaller strung-together sheets isn't optimal. Or use them electronically.

In the west, Benchmark maps are so damn good, there is almost no point to having anything more detailed. I've got most of the forest service maps for the PacNW and they're so hard to read, so detailed, and so out of date, I seldom use them, although I occasionally pull one out if I'm "base camped" in a certain area and exploring roads.

Sorry for the tangent. Cool project!

- Mark

[error cooled]

Originally Posted by sdthorpe

Holy Crap, that map almost gives me a stiffy.

Anybody know if every state has this sort of thing?!?

GDOT has great maps available online - super detailed and free. Very similar - maybe even better than VDOT.

http://www.dot.state.ga.us/maps/Pages/CountyMaps.aspx

[intothenew]

I have some links to a few here. I need to spruce the place up a little, some of the links are old.

You really need the NF MVUMs also.

[rctr]

great map from VDOT! let us know if we can help!

jimmy

[Flip756]

I daily an older range rover classic and ride a g650 xcountry, I bought it new though so I've been a little timid with my time off road on the bike. I know my limits in the car (years of mistakes and multiple Rover driving programs) but I've really been looking for some people to try and stretch my legs off road with, who would understand its a little foreign to me. What year is the Cruiser? I would love to find one of the older Diesel FJ pick ups.

[Uncle Gumby]

Tennessee county maps
http://www.tdot.state.tn.us/maps/county/default.htm

[Kawikazi]

I live in Rockingham County and ride a KLX-300R on many of the trails around here, so I am willing to test ride routes and provide feedback.