What's good riding areas near DC

[SHIVA]

Gents, For those of you who are from DC/VA/MD area what would be good riding areas near DC? Any towns in close proximity to DC that are known to be motorcycle friendly? Thanks, S

[SHIVA]

For future reference: I got a a very helpful response from a Facebook friend "Jun" who wrote:

I live in Derwood, MD about 28 miles north of DC. Take 270 North, exit to Rt 28 and follow it to Point of rocks. At the end of 28, take 15 North, make a left on the roundabout going to 464. Exit to Rt 340 going to Harpers Ferry. Plenty of bikers take this route on weekends. This is approx 150 miles of riding roads.

There are plenty of little towns along the way. There are also a lot of nice side roads in the Harpers Ferry area. Google for Boonsboro, Sharpsburg, Antietam. Lots of historical places in the area.

[SHIVA]

For future reference: Another Facebook friend "David" wrote: Adams Morgan in DC, Old Town Alexandria and Annapolis in MD are known for heavy concentration of bikers with restaurants in the area. Riding roads west and southwest of DC in VA. Also have Morton's BMW and Bob's BMW in the zone with DC in the middle.

For future reference: Another Facebook friend "Ken" wrote: You can take New Hampshire ave out of DC and head up to Gettysburg (think it's 97 and 15). About 3 hours round trip a d beautiful, once you're out of the city.

[ssduc]

Take a ride out to Seneca Rocks. I'll meet you there. Lots of great riding in that area.

On your way out, slab it across VA to Starsburg. VA requires extra care. Awesome roads but be prepared to pay. MD and WV are much better but if you're riding around DC you will need to deal with the realities of VA law.

On the way back, 33 towards Harrisonburg, then to Manassas and back to DC.

[hanamiyoko]

Depending on your riding style and preferences, and if you're after twisty, light traffic and more challenging roads, you pretty much have to slab 40-50 miles before you can enjoy your ride. I live in Rockville, MD and am about 15 miles north of DC. Southern PA, Western MD, VA west of WInchester, and Eastern West Virginia are pretty much what I do for a good solid 10 hours, ~300 miles day ride. I have about a dozen also of GPS routes. If you use a GPS and it can take custom routes in Garmin's GDB or the standard GPX format or I would be very happy to share them.

[SHIVA]

thanks ssduc and hanamiyoko, this info is very helpful. I'll pass on the GPS files, but good info.

[SHIVA]

One more info being added here for future reference from someone who emailed me:

Adams Morgan, I do not see bikes there. I could not really figure that place out. It is probably good to take your date out. Cheep restaurants and night clubs. Lots of people on any given night.

Old Town Alexandria has motorcycle crowds on Friday night and Saturday, mostly Harleys. Very nice conservative atmosphere. During summer and fall you can see art street fairs. Lots of historic buildings and restaurants.

Annapolis is drive through town (people drive their cars through main street). The town is nice and historic, has restaurants and gift shops also lots of boats and very rich folks. Occasionally you see Ferrari club displaying their cars.

Riding is done in West Virginia. If you go early Sunday morning, say 8am, the roads are free or cars and cops. The scenery is grand. I hope it is helpful.

and here's a link of all these towns in google:
http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Harpe ... ls&t=m&z=9

[Gonzowerke]

A little late, but I've been away a while.

Exit 130 on I-95, Route 3 west. !st right on Carl D. Silver parkway, go to end and make a left at the Wal-mart onto Bragg rd. 1st right on River rd., enjoy the twisties!(I do, I live on this road!) when you get to the 8400 section of addresses, look for Hooker drive on the right and take it. GO 25MPH!!!! You are on parkland, and if you get a ticket, YOU WILL HAVE TO GO TO FEDERAL COURT IN ALEXANDRIA!!!! after less than a 1/4 mile though, you come to ely's ford rd. go right and enjoy the twisties! After several miles, make a right on Edward's shop rd., route 620. Enjoy this road for several miles. After you pass the Inn at Kelly's Ford, it turns into Route 674. Stay on this untill you hit Route 29. Travel down this boring highway until you hit Culpeper, va. Take first exit, route 29/15 business, make a right at end of ramp, and continue on. At this point, grab fuel, and food if you want it. Now you have a choice. Continue on until you hit old town Culpeper, and make a left on East Davis to get an awesome cup of coffee at the Raven coffee house 2 blocks down on the left, OR, make a right before that on Route 522, West Evans st. If you choose coffee, come back to West evans. Go up 522 for about 45 minutes or so, and you come to Sperryville, Va. When you get there, OBEY THE SPEED LIMIT!!! Small town cops have nothing better to do than collect revenue! 522 dead ends on Route 211. Make a left. Enjoy your climb up the Blue Ridge and over Skyline drive!! You will see many bikes here, and only the occasional State Trooper. You will find yourself making U-turns and riding this short stretch several times, as the corners are quite tasty! I see everything from Squids on clapped out rice rockets to the Harley Girls riding this stretch over and over again on any given day out there.
You can grab lunch at the brookside diner on the west side of the Blue Ridge too. When you're done, head East on 211 untill you hit 29 in Warrenton. Go north and you will hit 66 where you can go back to DC. Conversly, if you don't feel like the twisties down south, just take your best route to Warrenton and take 211 out to Sperryville.

Go here, https://maps.google.com/ and type in Sperryville, va. , and take a look at 211 west of town. Notice the squiggles?