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

[error cooled]

Originally Posted by 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.

The cruiser is a 1997 - the last year of the solid axles all around and the front, center and rear locking differential option. It is a joy to own and drive - not so much to gas . But whatever it beats a car payment. Those BJ45s are awesome trucks.

Originally Posted by 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.

Warren Sr - Thank you for taking an interest as well - I will definitely get the route over to you as soon as I am done. I am the bald younger guy that usually has a bit too much fun with Jr. and Doug at the Cat Herders Campouts

Update:

Route in general is pretty much done from Front Royal to Damascus with a connector at the end to the BRP. It has come together pretty well thus far. I am extremely confident it will be a free of gates or other inconveniences if run between May 1 - October 1 without a torrential downpour. But I will prove it on the ground before mass distro. It will have a couple of different options - some geared toward the serious off road folks and the casual riders. Also will have a western route and an eastern route the runs the area around Pedlar Reservoir and Shoe Creek. As it stands right I just need to spend a few hours copying over the exact GPS tracks provided by the forest service to ensure no surprises when on forest roads. Also I need to get the single track around Damascus / Mt. Roger's ironed out.

Basically if you are on scenic secondary roads you will see things like this:



And if you are on Forest Roads things like this:



Photo Credit for the Pic of German River Rd to Tim Hupp @ Brown Mtn Photography.

[screamin injin]

All public roads? I've found some of the roads listed on maps and gps to be private, but sometimes I think landowners don't want people using "their" roads, so they put up a sign. Is the VDOT map all public?

[error cooled]

Originally Posted by screamin injin

All public roads? I've found some of the roads listed on maps and gps to be private, but sometimes I think landowners don't want people using "their" roads, so they put up a sign. Is the VDOT map all public?

The VDOT map only shows roads that are maintained by VDOT - so yes 100% public. If its not state maintained it is not on the map.

The Forest Roads are a bit more tricky - but I have the ground data for open roads straight from the Forest Service.

If you cobble a route together from USGS Quads and Garmin Maps you can be in a world of hurt due to private roads and out dated info. I am hoping to avoid all of that.

[error cooled]

The mapping portion BRT west is just about done. I got all the tracks compiled and sorted and this is shaping up well. There will be an eastern detour that goes through Augusta, Rockbridge, Nelson and Botetourt County. Also have a boat load of POI's I want to add.

Green: Connectors to and from the main route from either Skyline Drive or The Blue Ridge Parkway.
Red: The Blue Ridge Trail Route
Blue: The Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive

Rough Route Break Down Excluding connectors and Blue Ridge Parkway or Skyline Drive:

270 Miles of Forest Service Roads:
~95% of those Un Paved
12 Miles of Single Track
Lots of gravel, dirt and two track

280 Miles State Roads:
Of that 95% Two Lane
No more than 25 miles at a time
~20% Unpaved

[Rider2205]

Awesome.

[screamin injin]

Very nice.

[b00t]

Error this is awesome work you have done. Mad respect for doing it and then making it available. Is it going to be ready by next spring. Just got an 86 ct110 that I think will do nicely...slow and low baby...slow and low.
Subscribed.

[PYG RYDR]

Originally Posted by error cooled

The mapping portion BRT west is just about done. I got all the tracks compiled and sorted and this is shaping up well. There will be an eastern detour that goes through Augusta, Rockbridge, Nelson and Botetourt County. Also have a boat load of POI's I want to add.

Green: Connectors to and from the main route from either Skyline Drive or The Blue Ridge Parkway.
Red: The Blue Ridge Trail Route
Blue: The Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive

Rough Route Break Down Excluding connectors and Blue Ridge Parkway or Skyline Drive:

270 Miles of Forest Service Roads:
~95% of those Un Paved
12 Miles of Single Track
Lots of gravel, dirt and two track

280 Miles State Roads:
Of that 95% Two Lane
No more than 25 miles at a time
~20% Unpaved

Super!

Let me know when you want to ride it and maybe I can join you on my WR also.

[B.E. Coyote]

Awesome

Can you post a bigger map of where it goes through Pendletob Co., WV.? I couldn't make it out.

Nice Job.

[Goldburg]

Yeah, I've seen the identical NC maps online. You have to download them individually and they are .pdf files, so you can't play with them too much, but they looked solid.

They affirmed that there are no good gravel roads in Nash county, where I live...

[burque magoo]

awrighty, then....

[error cooled]

Originally Posted by B.E. Coyote

Awesome

Can you post a bigger map of where it goes through Pendletob Co., WV.? I couldn't make it out.

Nice Job.

The route makes a quick appearance in Pendleton in the way of Westside FDR151 and Ft Seybert FDR87.

[gilesc]

I think this is a fabulous thing you are doing! I currently live in Montgomery Co. but was raised in Botetourt Co. and I am very familiar with the area (Botetourt, Roanoke, and Montgomery) and many of it's back/dirt roads. I am happy to help you in any way I can. I currently own two sport bikes but I have been lurking here for several weeks and have begun searching for a suitable adventure bike. The sort of ride you propose sounds really fun. Keep up the good work!

[scott P]

Outstanding EC!

[dirt hokie]

I started working on the same kind of thing with forest service maps, I like hold in my hand paper maps, the motor vehical use maps show the forest service roads but are to small for planning. I guess in need a gps.