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Cruiser
Posts: 62
San Diego, CA | For all you East Coast Riders,
I'll be riding from Madawaska ME to Key West FL around July 14th, and would like to know a good quick route avoiding all the metro areas (Boston, NYC, DC, etc) but still stay in the slab.
Also, who's done the Tail of the Dragon? Something I may check out if i don't have to deviate from my route to far.
Thanks in advance.
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Cruiser
Posts: 251
Mechanicsville, VA United States | Remove Quick from your order first as there's no such thing for the distance you're talking about....How much time do you have to work with?
Are you heading back to Madawaska ME afterwards? 4368 miles to work with.....let us know! |
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Cruiser
Posts: 255
New Brunswick , Canada | If you are taking the I95 Maine, at one point you are going to have to line yourself up for I 81. Go around Boston Off I 95 onto I 495 to I 290 to I 84 and pickup I 81 in Scranton , Pennsylvania. Tail of The Dragon is not to fare from I 81....Check it out on Google Map.. That's one option..
Or Option # 2 back track to Montreal Canada and cross border on I 87 going by Lake George , Ny to I 84 then to I 81 in Scranton. If you check the mileage via google map there isn't that much difference in distance.. ,,this was my route when I did the 4 corners last year. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 209
| Ive been on the "tail of the dragon" couple of times. dont go too far out of your way to ride it. it is more of an obstacle course than a pleasure ride. I find the surrounding roads much more satisfying. rt. 64 is a good twistie running east and west going a long distance, especially across western nc.
Edited by Banjodan 2013-06-24 8:58 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 62
San Diego, CA | diamonbird - 2013-06-24 6:15 PM
Remove Quick from your order first as there's no such thing for the distance you're talking about....How much time do you have to work with?
Are you heading back to Madawaska ME afterwards? 4368 miles to work with.....let us know!
When I say "quick" I mean avoiding metro areas, not taking the scenic routes (i.e. state highways, etc), and no, I will be heading west back to San Diego from KW. |
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Tourer
Posts: 446
East TN | The Dragon is a fun road, I live about 30 minutes from there...Ride it all the time! The Dragon is a challenge especially for the Straight road people (Florida).
There are good times and bad times to ride the Dragon Weekends are the WORST, early morning or late afternoons are usually the best in the middle of the week...If a crotch rocket gets behind you, move OVER to the fog line (white line) and let them pass otherwise they will do stupid stunts getting around you and risk both you and them in doing so....Have fun and DO NOT OVER RIDE YOUR SKILLS on the Dragon! |
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Cruiser
Posts: 281
| Personally, if you need a QUICK route I would take the long (distance) route down I-81 which would avoid the big city congestion in the east coast megalopolis between Boston and Washington DC.
Once you're headed that way you have the option of jumping off onto secondary roads like the Blue Ridge Parkway to break up the slab boredom. There are countless great roads between PA and GA that you can take for fun. You might also consider taking the west coast of FL as the east coast is congested.
The Dragon - been there, done that. Fun, but it can be very crowded and dangerous.
Have a great trip and ride safe! |
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Fountain Inn, SC United States | I agree, I-81 is more inland but can be faster that I-95 through the big cities. The Merritt Parkway through CT & NY is also a decent road. I-95 through CT & NY is a battlefield of traffic and potholes.
Consider this:
http://goo.gl/maps/ag9Q3
(Screen Shot 2013-06-25 at 2.00.17 PM.png)
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Iron Butt
Posts: 691
Manchester, CT | another option for CT is to take 84W to exit 21 (its the White Plains NY exit so check exit number. Take 684 which will drop you down at the Hutchinson PKWY. around the same area that the Merritt (Rt 15) intersect |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 691
Manchester, CT | if you are a fan of OCC, you could continue on 84 to Montgomery NY...home of OCC and Paul Junior Design. Vinny DiMartini is also there. Vinni has his own shop now. Paully doesn't have enough business. I talked to Vinny this past weekend at a charity ride. The trip to OCC is about another 45 minutes past exit 21 |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 691
Manchester, CT | ah...one other thing...you could stop at Lloyd's too |
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Cruiser
Posts: 62
San Diego, CA | Street Eagle - 2013-06-25 1:13 PM
if you are a fan of OCC, you could continue on 84 to Montgomery NY...home of OCC and Paul Junior Design. Vinny DiMartini is also there. Vinni has his own shop now. Paully doesn't have enough business. I talked to Vinny this past weekend at a charity ride. The trip to OCC is about another 45 minutes past exit 21
I use to watch OCC all the time, but like most people I think it just old after awhile, but had a visit there in the back of my mind to get a ball cap, shirt, and a few pics.
Thanks for the pointers.
Elliot |
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Cruiser
Posts: 251
Mechanicsville, VA United States | You never did say how much time you have to work with!? |
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Cruiser
Posts: 251
Mechanicsville, VA United States | You do know everybody hates you....right!? |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | While you may consider it off the slab, US 13 down through DE, Eastern Shore of MD and VA and across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel and then across US 58W to I95, I40 to Asheville, NC might be a nice diversion. You can then pick up and do the Dragon before continuing south. I'm tracking it'll add about 250+ miles, about the same, give or take 50 miles than if you take I81 to pick up the dragon. I'll say that US13 has a lot of 4-lane, with not much traffic, but you do have the stop-light spells. Coming through Norfolk can be a bear at times, but if stay I64 to the end and pick up US58W, you'll fair better. Just throwing it out there. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 62
Des Moines | If you're going to go over and do the Dragon, you should definately take HWY 28 from there down through Georgia and maybe as far as into SC. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 62
San Diego, CA | diamonbird - 2013-06-25 6:44 PM
You never did say how much time you have to work with!?
Will be leaving Madawaska on the 14th, and plan on arriving in Key West on the 19th.
Elliot
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Cruiser
Posts: 62
San Diego, CA | diamonbird - 2013-06-25 6:46 PM
You do know everybody hates you....right!?
And why is that????????? |
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Cruiser
Posts: 174
Edmonton, AB | Strike - 2013-06-27 7:
And why is that?????????
...just because they are jealous and wish they were doing it.
When you return from Key West take Hwy 41 heading West through Everglades National Park. The ditch on the North side of the road is full of gators and the farther west you go, the bigger they get. Wife and I did that road by chance in April on a rental bike and it was great. You have a great view of the gators from a bike when heading west. The ride from Orlando to Key West and back was the highlight of my trip. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 281
| +1 on the Everglades! IMHO the coolest part of FL.
Re: US 13 on the DelMarVa...
This used to be a GREAT ride but over the years has become more and more congested.
Once you get south of Salisbury MD, it improves greatly, and the leg through VA to the bridge/tunnel is like stepping back in time. Real nice.
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge/Tunnel is worth the price of admission and is an experience you should do at least once. We've done it several times by car and on 2 wheels. |
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