There are great motorcycle roads in the Virginia mountains near this year's BMW MOA Rally. The three rides we have laid are good examples of what our mountains have to offer. The Four State Ride is a very long ride. The ride has three shortcuts that will take you back to the Rally if time or endurance makes it necessary.

The Four Mountain Ride and the Three Mountain Ride are similar in length but there is almost an hour's difference in ride time.

The miles listed are approximate as they are from Mapquest, road signs, a GPS and my odometer.

(Click on maps for larger versions)

 

Ride A - THE FOUR STATE RIDE (OVER 300 MILES)

This ride takes all day and you will be exhausted. You will ride in four states across about a dozen mountains and encounter a couple of thousand curves. You can see mansions, shacks, mobile homes in impossible places, coal mines, coal trains, oil wells, gas wells and other sights you will long remember. You will probably miss some of the interesting things due to trees and undergrowth as well as your need to pay attention to the roads.

The detailed directions follows but if you want it simple, there are only 6 different routes you need to follow.  You go I-26 W, I-81 N, Rt 80, Rt 460 E, Rt 83, Rt 16 S and then back to I-81 S to I-26 E.  

-You will start the ride by traveling I-26 (west) toward Kingsport until you reach I-81.

-When you get to I-81, take it north toward Bristol and the Virginia line.

-Continue on I-81 and exit onto Rt 80 at exit 24 (left to Meadowview), which is about 50 miles from the BMW MOA Rally site.

-Ride Rt 80 through the countryside for about 10 miles until you come to Hayters Gap. 

-You will encounter the first mountain as you continue on Rt 80. The mountain road is only a little over 5 miles and has 125 curves with almost 100 being "substantial".

-Continue just under 5 miles to a stop sign at Elk Garden where Rt 80 joins Rt 19.

 

If you have had enough mountain riding, turn left on Rt 19 (S) at the stop sign. This will take you to Abingdon (26 miles) where you get back on I-81 (south) and I-26 E for the 40 miles back to the Rally.  Total ride of around 135 miles.

 

To continue the ride, turn right at the stop sign onto Rt19/Rt80 (east).  Ride 2.5 miles to the red light at Rosedale where you will turn left as you stay on Rt 80.

-Continue on Rt 80 for 42 miles to Breaks Interstate Park on the Kentucky border. It is a nice place to stop for lunch. Breaks Interstate Park has the deepest gorge east of the Mississippi.  The "Grand Canyon of the East" is a beautiful place to visit.

-From Breaks Interstate Park, continue another 5 miles on Rt 80 to Elkhorn City, Kentucky until you reach Rt 460. 

-Turn East on Rt 460 toward Virginia for 27 miles until you get to Grundy,Virginia.

If you have had enough mountain riding, continue on Rt 460 (east) through Grundy and travel 34 miles to the light at Claypool Hill, Virginia.  Turn right on Rt 19 (west) and travel 42 miles to Abingdon where you get back on I-81 (south) and I-26 E for the 40 miles back to the BMW MOA Rally Total ride of around 186 miles.

To continue the ride, turn onto Rt 83 toward Bradshaw,West Virginia at Grundy and go 36 miles on Rt 83 to the stop sign at Rt 16.

-Turn right (south) on Rt 16 at the stop sign and continue 10 miles to Tazewell, Virginia.

-If you are worn out and want to return to the Rally, get on Rt 460/Rt 19 west toward Abingdon/Bristol.  Stay on Rt 19 for about 55 miles to Abingdon where you get back on I-81 for the 40 miles back to the Rally. Total ride of around 270 miles.

-To continue the ride, stay on Rt 16 (left at Frog Level) for the 32 miles, 3 mountains and hundreds of curves to Marion, VA.

-Turn left at the red light at McDonalds in Marion to return to I-81 south  (exit 47) and I26 E for the ride of 73 miles back to the BMW MOA Rally. Total Ride of around 300 miles.

 

Ride B - THE FOUR MOUNTAIN RIDE (AROUND 210 MILES)

This ride takes in the very crooked Rt 80 and the excellent Three Mountain Ride from Tazewell to Marion. The road between them is a four lane highway.

You will start the ride by traveling I-26 (west)  toward Kingsport until you reach I-81.

-When you get to I-81, take it north toward Bristol and the Virginia line.

-Continue on I-81 and exit onto Rt 80 at exit 24 (left to Meadowview), which is about 50 miles from the Rally.

-Ride Rt 80 through the countryside for about 10 miles until you come to Hayters Gap. 

-You will encounter the first mountain as you continue on Rt 80. The mountain road is only a little over 5 miles and has around 125 curves with almost 100 being "substantial".

-Continue just under 5 miles to a stop sign at Elk Garden where Rt 80 joins Rt 19.

-Turn Right on Rt 19 N for about 29 miles to Tazewell.

-Turn right at Crab Orchard (log houses on the right) on Rt 460/Rt19 business. Go about 1.6 miles to Frog level. 

-Turn right on Rt 16 S and enjoy the ride to Marion.

-When you get to the red light at McDonalds in Marion, turn left and get on I-81 S (exit 47) and I-26 E for the 73 miles back to the BMW MOA Rally.

 

Ride C - THE THREE MOUNTAIN RIDE (AROUND 200 MILES)

This ride covers only the three mountains from Tazewell to Marion on Rt 16. The road to reach them is a four lane highway. Please travel Rt 16 in this direction so members don't meet each other in the curves. 

To get to Rt 16 from the Rally, get off I-81 at Exit 14 in Abingdon and travel Rt 19 about 55 miles to Tazewell. 

-Turn right at Crab Orchard (log houses on the right) on Rt 460/Rt19 business. Go about 1.6 miles to Frog level. 

-Turn right on Rt 16 (south) and enjoy the ride of about 31 miles to Marion.

-When you get to the red light at McDonalds in Marion, turn left and get on I-81 S (exit 47) and I-26 E for the 73 miles back to the Rally.

 

Ride safe out there!