Cleveland, OH to MCAS Cherry Point, NC

[pista]

I'm here in Cleveland, OH.
My son is currently at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, NC. No problem hopping in the cage and traveling Interstates about 700 miles and 12hrs. each way to spend some time with him.
Well here I sit thinking perhaps I could combine a visit next summer while riding some great motorcycle roads to get there.
I'd prefer avoiding interstates with the exception of hoofing it through Ohio for a quick start.
Ideally looking to make it a 2 day trip each way and riding an SV1000S.
Any pointers? Head east through PA then drop south? South through WV, VA, then head east?
What's the best way to go about routing this ride? I have about 6-7 months to plan this.

[Boondox]

With a map in front of you, follow 250 from Ohio's Amish Country southeast. The entire route is pleasant riding, but it's sensational once you hit the Monongahela NF in West Virginia! I'd probably take the Blue Ridge Parkway south to the Cherokee NF in North Carolina before turning east and taking rural roads to Cherry Point.

Of course that assumes you enjoy riding more than shopping and other urban tourist things.

Semper fi to your son!

Pete
9th Marines

[justlookin]

Made that trip many times. If time is not an issue he could also backroad it toward Deals gap and then backroad to Cherry Point. Thanks to your son for his service.

[Moparmanpete]

My brother lives south of Wilmington, NC
I would like to hear a nice route too.






Pete

[Moparmanpete]

Just came up with this
19hrs 975miles
http://goo.gl/maps/YPkv9

This is kind of what I already had in mind for me if I "ever" decide to visit it my brother.

50 east
then follow the mountains south then slowly work east
It should combine both a slow leisurely pace with a bit of highway for time

Just an Idea



Pete

[pista]

Originally Posted by Boondox

With a map in front of you, follow 250 from Ohio's Amish Country southeast. The entire route is pleasant riding, but it's sensational once you hit the Monongahela NF in West Virginia! I'd probably take the Blue Ridge Parkway south to the Cherokee NF in North Carolina before turning east and taking rural roads to Cherry Point.

Of course that assumes you enjoy riding more than shopping and other urban tourist things.

Semper fi to your son!

Pete
9th Marines

That looks to be a great route Boondox. And I will pass on the Semper fi from both you and justlookin.
While I do not mind exploring new routes, my concern was getting into a remote area or hitting unpaved roads. With the SV, I feel most comfortable getting fuel every 120 miles or so and no way does getting caught on gravel interest me in the least.

[ruppster]

Originally Posted by Moparmanpete

Just came up with this
19hrs 975miles
http://goo.gl/maps/YPkv9

This is kind of what I already had in mind for me if I "ever" decide to visit it my brother.

50 east
then follow the mountains south then slowly work east
It should combine both a slow leisurely pace with a bit of highway for time

Just an Idea



Pete

50 is superslab from Parkersburg to Clarksburg. Avoid it and stick to two lane.

[pista]

Originally Posted by Moparmanpete

Just came up with this
19hrs 975miles
http://goo.gl/maps/YPkv9

This is kind of what I already had in mind for me if I "ever" decide to visit it my brother.

50 east
then follow the mountains south then slowly work east
It should combine both a slow leisurely pace with a bit of highway for time

Just an Idea



Pete

That looks to be a fantastic route Pete. I'd like to make it an easy 2 day ride so that is probably stretching it with long days.

How about this: based on boondox input, so far I'm looking at US-250->US220->US-221->VA-43->US-29->CA-86->US-70->I-40->US-70 (obviously I have no clue as to how to transfer that from Googlemaps as you did above) 750miles, 15 hrs

[Moparmanpete]

I have heard guys say they can plot routes on google maps for off road but I can't figure it out

I just mark my start point and finish point and then drag Google's "preffered route" to where ever I like it better.


I don't have a GPS yet so I just wing it and use my route for reference

[Moparmanpete]

Need any company on the way down?

[Moparmanpete]

Originally Posted by pista

so far I'm looking at US-250->US220->US-221->VA-43->US-29->CA-86->US-70->I-40->US-70 (obviously I have no clue as to how to transfer that from Googlemaps as you did above) 750miles, 15 hrs

http://goo.gl/maps/xU8MB

Here you go just a fast rough version

[pista]

Originally Posted by Moparmanpete

I have heard guys say they can plot routes on google maps for off road but I can't figure it out

I just mark my start point and finish point and then drag Google's "preffered route" to where ever I like it better.


I don't have a GPS yet so I just wing it and use my route for reference

I'm used to using a GPS for vacations or driving in unfamiliar areas while caging it. But it always tries to default to the fastest/shortest route.
For this trip I wasn't looking for either of those. Info on good motorcycling roads are why I posted on ADV. And I greatly appreciate the input.
Next I need to transfer the Google route to my "plain jane", basic, nuvi 760 GPS if in fact it has that capability.

[pista]

Originally Posted by Moparmanpete

Need any company and the way down?

That sounds good Pete. Right now I'm looking at perhaps a July or August time frame.

For the record, be forewarned, I will be taking my SV1000S. But I ride it as if it were a Nighthawk 250. Okay, maybe that's exaggerating. But no scraping pegs or dragging knees for me

[Moparmanpete]

I would be on my XL, not really a speed machine.

July/August would be a nice time of year.