Travel for gravel recommendations(east coast ed.)

[cuda]

The university where i work is doing a pandemic modified 3 semester school year and I have a couple of weeks before the next term. I've been at it full gas since last April when it all started and in dire need of some R&R.

Since the regional surf forecast looks like poop and as much as I want to get away air travel isnt motivating me with fares and accommodations back to pre-covid rates a surf trip is not going to happen.

I'm now looking at doing something ground based. Since my road bike is going to be hung up with warranty issues for a who knows how long while I've decided its worth considering travel for gravel trip.

I'm looking for some recommendations for gravel/adventure rides on the east coast south of RI(still too cold up north). I'd like to keep travel distance to ~ 8 hours.

I'm up for a multi day semi-stage kind of thing where I'd travel then ride then move on. It would be ideal though to set up in an area that is rich with gravel options and explore.

So, at this point just fishing for destinations.

Criteria: Not a bike packing trip. Moderately warm, scenic, unpaved low traffic roads and trails(ones that dont leave me wishing for suspension) I'd like rides in the 30-75 mile range.


thanks in advance

[Likes2ridefar]

Never mind not south. Best I’ve seen on the east coast is a bit beyond your hours in the Smoky mountain area of TN, NC, and northern GA.

You could ride for days there on nothing but gravel.

[SlowPokePete]

Maybe D2R2 area?

SPP

[fiamme red]

Originally Posted by SlowPokePete

Maybe D2R2 area?

SPP

OP wrote that it's too cold in RI. The D2R2 area is colder.

How about Loudoun County, Virginia?

https://experience.arcgis.com/experi...7090c20d77a3cb

https://wamu.org/story/20/10/30/loud...-gravel-roads/

[SlowPokePete]

Originally Posted by fiamme red

OP wrote that it's too cold in RI. The D2R2 area is colder.

oops...missed that

SPP

[steamer]

Central and north central PA fit the criteria so long as you don't mind climbing mountains. The gravel tends to be chunky and rough, however.

[Smitty2k1]

Skip the Croatan National Forest in eastern NC. It's trash.

Source: in laws live here and I have had several crappy rides exploring the forest. It's flat as a board. Everything is "closed no trespassing", washboard gravel roads, or pothole ridden mud trails. Maps are all way out of date, there's no nice places for a picnic, and there are snakes. Lots of snakes.

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

[unterhausen]

Look at the transVirginia route. https://www.transvirginia.org/
Setting up in Harrisonburg Va. might work for you.

[reuben]

I'm not an off road rider, but I've heard great things about this trail. It connects to the C&O to the south of it, so you can do both in one shot. The GAP is reported to be much more scenic.

https://gaptrail.org/

[Spaghetti Legs]

I could map you out 2-3 rides around Charlottesville 30-40 miles each with 50-75% gravel and lots of hills and lots of nice scenery

[merlinmurph]

Originally Posted by Spaghetti Legs

I could map you out 2-3 rides around Charlottesville 30-40 miles each with 50-75% gravel and lots of hills and lots of nice scenery

I've been thru the C'ville area once - the OP should seriously consider SL's offer.

Then again, temps in MA are supposed to be 50 and 60s the next two weeks. W MA is close and has good stuff

[cuda]

Thanks for all the great suggestions. Virginia is holding the(gravel) goods it seems.

I think that western MA could indeed be an option. It had been on the short list until last Thursday's snowfall. Hopefully that's it for the season.
I'm a cold weather wuss.

[JoB]

Lots of gravel in South Central PA around Michaux State Forest. By and large, good roads. Lots of options if you're looking for the 50-75% gravel range (but almost 100% is possible as well).

[.RJ]

Originally Posted by reuben

I'm not an off road rider, but I've heard great things about this trail. It connects to the C&O to the south of it, so you can do both in one shot. The GAP is reported to be much more scenic.

https://gaptrail.org/

The GAP is pretty boring. Its a nice ride if you are doing the full thing, but, I've done it once and have zero desire to go back.

I live next to loudon county, VA - we have hundreds of miles of gravel here, its great - mostly loudon, but stuff south (a little rougher) and the C&O on the other side of the river. Some classic routes - http://grindinggravel.blogspot.com/2...utside-of.html

And then just a bit further west is Fort Valley & Shenandoah Valley with some pretty awesome gravel riding.

You could do a lot worse than here.