Coming your way

[Mhanis]

Howdy from Texas!

I am coming to the DC area in about a week. I am driving out there with my son who has stuff to do in DC. I am bringing my bike and plan on head out from DC to areas West of there and riding for a few days. My loose plan at this point is to stay in Cumberland for a couple of nights and heading a different direction each day then maybe moving somewhere else from there.

I'll arrive on Monday evening and drive to Cumberland, spend a few days riding and head back into the city on Friday so I have a few days to tool around.

Do you guys have suggestions of roads to definitely hit, roads/areas to definitely avoid, that kind of stuff?

Any guidance will be appreciated!

Mark

[fragile_this_side_up]

Plan to ride in the Strasburg area? I know of some good roads around here.

[Mhanis]

My plans are flexible, what do you have for me in that area?

Mark

[fragile_this_side_up]

I will have to plot out a few google maps for you. 

[Slide Panda]

There's SkyLine drive if you want a cruise. Twisty - but limits are low and can see a good bit of policing between local LEO, state LEO and Parks rangers. Great views, plenty of pull offs for a picnic or just a breather to catch the view - just not a good spot for any of a hoon.

[Mhanis]

I certainly do NOT mind cruising at all. Since I am going solo I'll likely be a little more on the cautious side anyway.

Thanks for the heads up Panda!

Mark

[potomacduc]

I've used Frostburg (just west of Cumberland in the MD panhandle) as a base for a few days riding and there are plenty of very good roads in that area, but I'm partial to Staunton, VA. It's about the same distance from DC and has as many or more very good and better roads nearby. It's a pleasant small downtown with multiple lodging options from cheap to not so cheap to B&B. It has several decent restaurants all walkable from multiple lodging choices within the downtown. 250, which heads west from Satunton into WV, a fine road and a loop made of 250 to 55 north to 33 and east to Harrisonburg is a great 200+ mile ride. If that's enough for you, it's ~30 more miles back to Staunton down 11 or 42. If you want more, simply reverse the route for 400+ miles of great riding.

WV is a riding paradise and you really can't go wrong accessing WV roads from either Cumberland/Frostburg or Staunton. whichever you choose, I find this is always a great place to start planning a route:

http://www.motorcycleroads.us/states/wv.html

If you PM an email address, I can send you an old pdf I put together several years ago of a map/route from DC to Staunton and a few variations on the 250/33 route I mentioned above.

[Mhanis]

Thanks Potomac!

I only picked Cumberland because of it's location, I have NO idea what the town is like. Satunton sounds great! I know I don't want to spend all week in Cumberland so maybe I'll spend a night or two in Staunton as well. Thanks for that info!!

PM sent and I appreciate the input!

Mark

[Mhanis]

Does anyone know a mechanic just in case I run into trouble while I'm out that way?

Mark

[fragile_this_side_up]

Does anyone know a mechanic just in case I run into trouble while I'm out that way?

Mark

I live in Strasburg and have plenty of tools, but not much knowledge on Ducati's just yet (although that is quickly changing). DucPond is located in Winchester, VA.

Potomacduc has some great roads for you, plenty to keep you busy.

If you need a route out west from DC, i've got some great ones as I ride from Strasburg to Manassas every day for work.

[Mhanis]

Thanks Fragile, I appreciate the offers! When I pull out of DC on Monday evening I am just going to head straight to Cumberland where I'll likely spend two nights. I have head good things from others about Staunton so I may head down that way mid-week or so and ride around there.

It is good to know there is a dealership in Winchester, just in case!

Mark

[fragile_this_side_up]

Boo. If you change your mind, and will be in Manassas around 4pm, let me know. We can ride out all the way to Strasburg without even touching rte 66.

[potomacduc]

How'd it go?

[Mhanis]

I just got home an hour ago, that drive is a beating!! I had an absolute blast, best week on my bike I have ever had!

I'll do a ride report with some pics over the next few days.

Mark

[fragile_this_side_up]

Great to hear you made it!