holy jeepers!

[26667]

maybe this belongs in "just riding" but here goes. I noticed an ad in this month's MOA News for a rally of some sort in an area called "Back of the Dragon" in VA. Rte 16, I believe. Near the towns of Tazewell and Marion. Living here in Illinois most all of my life I've squared off a lot of rear tires.

I don't mean to pitch the get-together or any merchants in the area, but holy @#$%&!!! ...I can't wait to head down there for a ride.

And now here's my pitch, while I'm thinking of it: Obviously take a riding class. ANY riding class. But last summer I went thru the two day Total Rider Tech class, and it's changed my style, abilities, confidence, lean angle...all that sort of stuff like no other class or book I've run across...not that there have been that many. But anyway, I thought it was great. Largely because after 30 years of riding, I'm having a way lot more fun, even here in IL where most of the turns are 90 degrees.

PS. I believe roads like this are why Lincoln fought so hard to keep you guys with us.

[roncooper]

I rode 16 northbound last fall while enroute to a rally in WV. It is a great road with good surface and scenery. Sounds like Tazewell and Marion are going to have a good event-wish I could be there.

[26667]

I was just kinda shocked/delighted when I looked at rte 16 on Google Earth/maps. Looks like a way lot more fun than the famous Dragon. I'd gone down there a couple summers ago just to say I did, and found I liked riding the Cherahola much better. I know lots of people said as much, but I hadda try it. Now I'm aiming at some of the less famous, but more fun roads all over the East and SE.

But if you're ever in Chicago, try the exit ramp from The NB Edens Expy to Caldwell / Peterson. It's four seconds of the best riding you'll find in these parts!

[RapidRoadRescue]

But if you're ever in Chicago, try the exit ramp from The NB Edens Expy to Caldwell / Peterson. It's four seconds of the best riding you'll find in these parts!

I find I-90 West into Rt53 North a fun 8 seconds.

[osbornk]

maybe this belongs in "just riding" but here goes. I noticed an ad in this month's MOA News for a rally of some sort in an area called "Back of the Dragon" in VA. Rte 16, I believe. Near the towns of Tazewell and Marion. Living here in Illinois most all of my life I've squared off a lot of rear tires.

I don't mean to pitch the get-together or any merchants in the area, but holy @#$%&!!! ...I can't wait to head down there for a ride.

And now here's my pitch, while I'm thinking of it: Obviously take a riding class. ANY riding class. But last summer I went thru the two day Total Rider Tech class, and it's changed my style, abilities, confidence, lean angle...all that sort of stuff like no other class or book I've run across...not that there have been that many. But anyway, I thought it was great. Largely because after 30 years of riding, I'm having a way lot more fun, even here in IL where most of the turns are 90 degrees.

PS. I believe roads like this are why Lincoln fought so hard to keep you guys with us.

Please come and visit our little mountain towns. I have lived in Marion for nearly 50 of my 64 years and cursed the crooked mountain roads for years when I had to drive them in a car. I grew to appreciate the roads when I got a motorcycle. The 32 miles between Marion and Tazewell is a great ride but it is only one of many around here. If you ever get the opportunity to spend a few days here, I can lead or direct you to many other great rides in the area.

We are promoting the Back of the Dragon to help our local economy. It's hard to get manufacturing where there is little level land to build on and mountains cause transportation issues. On the Tazewell side of the mountains, the coal economy is having problems due to the thousands of new regulations and EPA rules imposed in the last two or three years.