Author Topic: Penna to Georgia  (Read 7250 times)

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Offline tandem

Penna to Georgia
« on: September 25, 2009, 06:18:09 pm »
My wife and I  plan to ride tandem from PA to Rockmart GA in 2010. We are both senior citizens and plan to average fifty miles per day & will be staying in B&Bs/motels. Our general direction is to follow I 81south to I 40 west to I 75 south. Any info on specific routes/roads would be appreciated. (even if you have a 50-100 mile section)

Tandem

Offline DaveB

Re: Penna to Georgia
« Reply #1 on: September 26, 2009, 10:28:42 am »
Michelin has a "Mapquest-like" web site (www.viamichelin.com) that lets you specify you are on a bicycle when recommending routes.  For some reason it's limited to 200 km (124 mile) maximum segments but you could piece together a complete route in those increments.

Offline JHamelman

Re: Penna to Georgia
« Reply #2 on: September 28, 2009, 08:02:34 am »
You can also contact the bicycle/pedestrian coordinator for the states you are planning to travel through. They will have the best resources through their states. Some of the state websites have readily available info, too.

http://www.walkinginfo.org/assistance/contacts.cfm

.Jennifer.
*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*

Jennifer Hamelman

Adventure Cycling Association
Inspiring and empowering people to travel by bicycle.
800/755-2453, 406/721-1776 x205
www.adventurecycling.org

Follow Routes & Mapping on Twitter: @acaroutes

Offline MIBIKER

Re: Penna to Georgia
« Reply #3 on: September 28, 2009, 10:34:28 am »
When you get to Virginia think about route 11. The route follows I 81  from Harrisburg PA  to Tennesse and beyond.  When I lived in Harrisonburg VA I biked the on rte 11 and rte 42. Rte 11 going through Harrisonburg has alot of traffic in the area of James Madison University area.  It will can you through the small towns so you can find places to sleep and eat.  As well as ALOT of history.
good luck

Offline BrianW

Re: Penna to Georgia
« Reply #4 on: October 17, 2009, 12:16:02 am »
Shenandoah National Park/Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway would make a nice part of your trip, although I'm not sure if they take you in the direction you need to go toward Georgia (they do go south :-)

Hills on Skyline Drive really aren't too bad, except for the initial climb out of Front Royal. Traffic can be bad on nice weekends "in season," especially in the central part of the park.

The Parkway is a bit more rolling, I believe (it's been a while since I've been there).

Offline staehpj1

Re: Penna to Georgia
« Reply #5 on: October 17, 2009, 08:50:19 am »
I'll second the Rt 11 recommendation.

Skyline Drive and the BRP are great cycling, but...  They may or may not suit you because of the lack of services on the BRP.  Services there are infrequent and often require leaving the Parkway.  Leaving the parkway usually means a steep descent and a corresponding steep ascent to get back up to the parkway.  I am not saying it won't work out, but be aware of what you will be getting in to.  It is a beautiful ride though and the climbs on the parkway itself are not too bad.

Offline litespeed

Re: Penna to Georgia
« Reply #6 on: October 17, 2009, 11:22:49 am »
US11 might not be a bad idea. Highways that parallel interstatres tend to be lightly trafficked and have plenty of services. The problem with US highways is that they go right through the center of towns and cities. You could skirt around them with a little effort.

By all means avoid US15 through Virginia, especially in the northern part. It is heavily trafficked, narrow and shoulderless. Virginia rarely puts paved shoulders on their roads. Pennsylvania and Maryland roads are much, much better for cycling.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is said to be very hilly with few services - really for hard core touring cyclists with full camping gear and their own food. I don't pack food or cooking gear so I've never done it.