Heading South | GTAMotorcycle.com

Heading South

too much

too much

Well-known member
I have an opportunity to spend a week however I like :). Thinking about heading South on April 14 ish for a week, straight South to Virginia, than as twisty as possible, taking my time towards Smokey mountains area. The same on my way back , trying to ride as many nice roads as possible.

Is it to early in the season ? Weather looks 15+ towards 20 in the area, mainly concerned about Ontario weather on my way back.
 
I love chasing spring ...just leave yourself a couple days at the end to cover weather issue. You can be home from Virginia via slab in a single run. Just mind the deer in New York if it gets late....running the QEW after dark is not an issue tho you will want layers. Have fun.
The weather in the mountains in PA can be much cooler ...

You might have to think about your original ride down

Windfinder.com - Wind and weather forecast Charlotte/Douglas Airport

pretty wet day ....but after that looking good.

this is my go to for riding since it is real time and you can burrow in

Once that front clears should be nice but chilly behind it.

NWS - National Mosaic Radar Image: Full Resolution

NatLoop.gif
 
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I went south this time last year to miss an ice storm
by the time I got to the middle of Pennsylvania it was quite nice
by mid Virginia I was ditching layers

enjoy the trip!
 
Yeah ...I left Missisauga one spring at mid teens....hit the higher section in New York west of Buffalo and it was 9 ....by the time I was at PA it was 30C by the railways tracks along 555.

If you catch it correctly ...blitzing to the Skyline Drive first day then meandering south is sweet. Enter at Front Royal.
Skyline Drive Scenic Highway in Shenandoah National Park

If you are riding extensively in the US for the year grab a National Parks pass ...will save you a chunk.
America the Beautiful Passes (U.S. National Park Service)
 
Bring gear for all temperature possibilities and you'll be fine. I did an Iron Butt last May with a buddy and it was below zero for the last few hours of the ride and with proper gear and enough layers it was fine. Had we not been dressed properly it would have become dangerous quickly.

Snow would be the only thing that would stop you at that point honestly, but as long as you have the ability to wait it out...this time of year it won't be around for long. Just keep a very close eye on the big picture forecasts.
 
MacDoc said:
Yeah ...I left Missisauga one spring at mid teens....hit the higher section in New York west of Buffalo and it was 9 ....by the time I was at PA it was 30C by the railways tracks along 555.

If you catch it correctly ...blitzing to the Skyline Drive first day then meandering south is sweet. Enter at Front Royal.
Skyline Drive Scenic Highway in Shenandoah National Park

If you are riding extensively in the US for the year grab a National Parks pass ...will save you a chunk.
America the Beautiful Passes (U.S. National Park Service)
Click to expand...
I am thinking of going to Skyline Drive and Shenandoah National Park at the end of April.

I plan on avoiding the interstate altogether, will there be issues with the roads to get down there?
 
From here to Erie PA is the coolest part of the ride.
Riding along all that water keeps the temps down.
Once you make the turn on I79 at Erie and head south it starts to get warmer.
By the time you get to Pitt it's quite pleasant.
You can do Mac’s route to Front Royal just watch the logging trucks on 219
And also mind the dear at dusk / dawn…or all day long :)
I’m trying to do Ohio Easter wkd if weather permits.
Check the weather daily and you should be fine.
 
I'll most probably leave on Monday, planning to stay in the hwy up to Morgantown then weather permitting take a route through Elkins and keep side roads to North Carolina. I'm good on gear, heated jacket, goretex all around, Michelin road 5. Hopefully the system above won't move east... If that happens I'll either delay, or cancel as I need to be back on the 22nd, and it's a bit early to enjoy Pennsylvania roads at this time I guess ...
 
Count on it moving east ...the unfortunate thing is it is slow moving ...you might get south of it. Good luck.

Personally I'd leave Sat while you have warm weather ...you won't on the other side of the front.

Sat04/13 - GTA
Sunny
1.png

15

Saturday would be the day to punch to Renovo via 219 and you might get far enough south on Sunday and Monday.

Or even to get to Port Royal and the Skyline.


A mix of sun and clouds - Renovo Sunday
3.png

23 C
 
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MacDoc said:
Count on it moving east ...the unfortunate thing is it is slow moving ...you might get south of it. Good luck.

Personally I'd leave Sat while you have warm weather ...you won't on the other side of the front.

Sat04/13 - GTA
Sunny
1.png

15

Saturday would be the day to punch to Renovo via 219 and you might get far enough south on Sunday and Monday.

Or even to get to Port Royal and the Skyline.


A mix of sun and clouds - Renovo Sunday
3.png

23 C
Click to expand...
Unfortunately I'll only pick my bike from the shop on Saturday, and I'll have to do a local dry run first to make sure all works as expected.
 
it would be great to get some information about your trip during/when you get back. What route/road condition/time/distance/lodging. Any bit of information would be great. I would love to go to the southern twisty states. Dont forget to take some pictures for us.
Ride safe and enjoy!
 
justride said:
it would be great to get some information about your trip during/when you get back. What route/road condition/time/distance/lodging. Any bit of information would be great. I would love to go to the southern twisty states. Dont forget to take some pictures for us.
Ride safe and enjoy!
Click to expand...
I kind of know the route, not my first trip, have an idea of the roads I would like to ride. Weather and road conditions are the variables. Lodging, usually by afternoon I have an idea how far I'll get for the day and I book online a clean hotel on my way. I don't like to preplan much :)
 
methinks you need to sit this one out for a day. There are tornadoes embedded in that

They are even moving The Masters golf final round to an earlier start to avoid the severe weather expected in the afternoon.
 
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MacDoc said:
methinks you need to sit this one out for a day. There are tornodoes embedded in that

They are even moving The Masters golf final round to an earlier start to avoid the severe weather expected in the afternoon.
Click to expand...
Methinks the same :(
 
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