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Virginia Super Twisties Revisited

texanrt

New member
Looking at the VA_SuperTwisties_1 ride file -- I have a question about routing between Charleston, WV and Marion, VA -- an area north of the super twisties ride.

I'd like to leave Charleston, WV via 94 and pick up hwy 3 down to Beckley where I'll intersect with HWY 16 and ride it south to Marion, VA. Can anybody tell me what road conditions we'll encounter along that route? Thanks.
 
Great roads, I was on 3 and 16 a few weeks ago and aside from some repaving at the top of the mountain south of Tazewell it was in good shape - the entire length is covered by Google Streetview, click "View Larger Map" at the bottom of the map below to open GoogleMaps, then the yellow guy is in the top left corner of the map window - drag him to any road highlighted in blue for a 360-degree look from the street level.:

<iframe width="640" height="480" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=I-64+E&daddr=WV-94+to:WV-3+to:Robert+C+Byrd+Dr%2FWV-16+to:Main+St%2FWV-16+to:I-81+S&hl=en&geocode=FZZGSQIdLAci-w%3BFSbXRgIdzZUi-w%3BFWrwQwIdcpwj-w%3BFXR8PwIdODYo-w%3BFeA-OQIdnnch-w%3BFYIIMgId2Gck-w&mra=ls&via=1,2,3,4&sll=37.561997,-81.367493&sspn=0.762018,1.455688&ie=UTF8&ll=37.596824,-81.474609&spn=2.089087,3.515625&z=8&output=embed"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=I-64+E&daddr=WV-94+to:WV-3+to:Robert+C+Byrd+Dr%2FWV-16+to:Main+St%2FWV-16+to:I-81+S&hl=en&geocode=FZZGSQIdLAci-w%3BFSbXRgIdzZUi-w%3BFWrwQwIdcpwj-w%3BFXR8PwIdODYo-w%3BFeA-OQIdnnch-w%3BFYIIMgId2Gck-w&mra=ls&via=1,2,3,4&sll=37.561997,-81.367493&sspn=0.762018,1.455688&ie=UTF8&ll=37.596824,-81.474609&spn=2.089087,3.515625&z=8" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small>
 
Great roads, I was on 3 and 16 a few weeks ago and aside from some repaving at the top of the mountain south of Tazewell it was in good shape - the entire length is covered by Google Streetview, click "View Larger Map" at the bottom of the map below to open GoogleMaps, then the yellow guy is in the top left corner of the map window - drag him to any road highlighted in blue for a 360-degree look from the street level.:

+1 Thanks for that assist.
 
Pavement on 16 is good, but watch for stones in the right-handers. That said, great ride.
 
Odd road combo - the maps show Tobes Creek Road both hooking around in a short spur to the left to Waterville road, all paved, and also going straight over to Rt. 32 looking unpaved.

<iframe width="700" height="394" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps/sv?cbp=12,230.99,,0,6.1&cbll=35.784557,-83.113632&v=1&panoid=ADbTAGP6N7rAsl_tcuJd5Q&gl=&hl="></iframe><br /><small><a id="cbembedlink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?cbp=12,230.99,,0,6.1&cbll=35.784557,-83.113632&ll=35.784557,-83.113632&layer=c" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small>

Looks like Waterville Rd. is nicely paved though with nice scenery, and looks like it will take you down to 32 just a few minutes out of your way.

<iframe width="425" height="350" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Tobes+Creek+Rd&daddr=NC-1332%2FWaterville+Rd+to:S+Hwy-32%2FTN-32&hl=en&geocode=FeAKIgIdqM4L-w%3BFTCxIQIdEuwL-w%3BFc4DIgIdcYML-w&mra=ls&via=1&sll=35.773258,-83.112001&sspn=0.024373,0.04549&ie=UTF8&ll=35.773327,-83.112345&spn=0.024373,0.036478&z=14&output=embed"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=Tobes+Creek+Rd&daddr=NC-1332%2FWaterville+Rd+to:S+Hwy-32%2FTN-32&hl=en&geocode=FeAKIgIdqM4L-w%3BFTCxIQIdEuwL-w%3BFc4DIgIdcYML-w&mra=ls&via=1&sll=35.773258,-83.112001&sspn=0.024373,0.04549&ie=UTF8&ll=35.773327,-83.112345&spn=0.024373,0.036478&z=14" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small>
 
Odd road combo - the maps show Tobes Creek Road both hooking around in a short spur to the left to Waterville road, all paved, and also going straight over to Rt. 32 looking unpaved.

<iframe width="700" height="394" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps/sv?cbp=12,230.99,,0,6.1&cbll=35.784557,-83.113632&v=1&panoid=ADbTAGP6N7rAsl_tcuJd5Q&gl=&hl="></iframe><br /><small><a id="cbembedlink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?cbp=12,230.99,,0,6.1&cbll=35.784557,-83.113632&ll=35.784557,-83.113632&layer=c" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small>

Looks like Waterville Rd. is nicely paved though with nice scenery, and looks like it will take you down to 32 just a few minutes out of your way.

<iframe width="425" height="350" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Tobes+Creek+Rd&daddr=NC-1332%2FWaterville+Rd+to:S+Hwy-32%2FTN-32&hl=en&geocode=FeAKIgIdqM4L-w%3BFTCxIQIdEuwL-w%3BFc4DIgIdcYML-w&mra=ls&via=1&sll=35.773258,-83.112001&sspn=0.024373,0.04549&ie=UTF8&ll=35.773327,-83.112345&spn=0.024373,0.036478&z=14&output=embed"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=Tobes+Creek+Rd&daddr=NC-1332%2FWaterville+Rd+to:S+Hwy-32%2FTN-32&hl=en&geocode=FeAKIgIdqM4L-w%3BFTCxIQIdEuwL-w%3BFc4DIgIdcYML-w&mra=ls&via=1&sll=35.773258,-83.112001&sspn=0.024373,0.04549&ie=UTF8&ll=35.773327,-83.112345&spn=0.024373,0.036478&z=14" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small>

:thumb Again, thank you for taking the time to answer my question and demonstrate a great resource! I was able to follow Waterville to Mt. Sterling Road to 1397 and onto 32. Amazing stuff.
 
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Pavement on 16 is good, but watch for stones in the right-handers. That said, great ride.

I live about 5 miles from the best part of Rt 16 near Marion. I've ridden Rt 16 frequently for many years. The road is good but you really have to watch for gravel and rocks. We have had many hard rains this summer and it causes gravel to wash across the road and it loosens rocks on the banks above the road and they frequently fall. Also, watch out for deer as you round the curves.

Ken
 
We have had many hard rains this summer and it causes gravel to wash across the road and it loosens rocks on the banks above the road and they frequently fall. Also, watch out for deer as you round the curves.

Excellent advice for most twisty 2-lane roads in southern WV - also be mindful of coal and logging trucks, they often take up much of the road and seem to universally adopt the "I am bigger, you move" mindset.
 
Can I get from I-40 to Hwy 32 via Tobes Creek Road? My GPS program shows this road as a broken line -- are parts of this road unpaved?

http://maps.yahoo.com/#mvt=m&lat=35.784593&lon=-83.115152&zoom=16&q1=gatlinburg,%20tn


First TN 32 does not exist it is a figment of everyone's imagination, so don't spread rumors and tell anyone.

That said Tobes creek road is a one lane or better described as a two wheel track cow path, with some steep sections, but is navigable. Don't think I would recommend it on an RT, unless you are very comfortable in dirt.

Waterville Rd is paved, but pavement ends where it intersects Mountain Sterling Rd (NC 1397), It is narrow in spots and has some steeps and a couple of hairpins, but is easily navigable.

But why go to a non-existent road????
 
LoL - looks like the Rt. 32 pavement literally ends at the TN/NC state line! As pffog mentioned it looks to be a hard-pack dirt road over the 1.1 miles from Waterville road to 32 - looks pretty nicely tended though!
 
LoL - looks like the Rt. 32 pavement literally ends at the TN/NC state line! As pffog mentioned it looks to be a hard-pack dirt road over the 1.1 miles from Waterville road to 32 - looks pretty nicely tended though!


Yup talked to a local and they pull several bikes and cars out of the rocks and trees every year. .

You crest a slight rise and see a bunch of large boulders indicating the road curving to the left, but as you get close and pop over the rise you realize that bend is DIRT!!! NO pavement end sign, no warning what so ever.

Luckily for me I ran it from Waterville end the first few times so I knew. If such a road existed that is................
 

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Local Advice

I live about 5 miles from the best part of Rt 16 near Marion. I've ridden Rt 16 frequently for many years. The road is good but you really have to watch for gravel and rocks. We have had many hard rains this summer and it causes gravel to wash across the road and it loosens rocks on the banks above the road and they frequently fall. Also, watch out for deer as you round the curves.

Ken

While I was on the 4 state loop during the Rally this summer, I stopped for gas somewhere near Yukon. It was about to rain and the friendly locals said to be careful on route 16. He saw recent accidents even with 4 wheeled vehicles due to coal trucks dropping fluids and debris. He gave me an alternate route which i believe (not sure) it was rt 624 and 627 which has less truck traffic and cleaner surface. This might be a better route if the weather is foul. I'm glad I took the advice as the rain poured down! It was still a nice route.
 
While I was on the 4 state loop during the Rally this summer, I stopped for gas somewhere near Yukon. It was about to rain and the friendly locals said to be careful on route 16. He saw recent accidents even with 4 wheeled vehicles due to coal trucks dropping fluids and debris. He gave me an alternate route which i believe (not sure) it was rt 624 and 627 which has less truck traffic and cleaner surface. This might be a better route if the weather is foul. I'm glad I took the advice as the rain poured down! It was still a nice route.

All the advice is noted and appreciated -- I've got a couple of alternate routes in mind in case 16 doesn't work out -- and I certainly won't be telling anyone about any non-existent roads I find. Where's the smilie for "shhhhh"?
 
While I was on the 4 state loop during the Rally this summer, I stopped for gas somewhere near Yukon. It was about to rain and the friendly locals said to be careful on route 16. He saw recent accidents even with 4 wheeled vehicles due to coal trucks dropping fluids and debris. He gave me an alternate route which i believe (not sure) it was rt 624 and 627 which has less truck traffic and cleaner surface. This might be a better route if the weather is foul. I'm glad I took the advice as the rain poured down! It was still a nice route.

You don't want to miss Rt 16 between Tazewell and Marion Virginia. Coal trucks do not use the road at all and the only trucks on the road is an occasional farm truck or smaller 6 wheel truck. Over many years, I have never had a problem with coal trucks on Rt 16. The road is far to crooked for large trucks and they are banned. A truck occasionally ignores the signs and attempts to make the mountains. They never make it and end up getting towed and a big fine.

Ken
 
:thumb Again, thank you for taking the time to answer my question and demonstrate a great resource! I was able to follow Waterville to Mt. Sterling Road to 1397 and onto 32. Amazing stuff.

that is impossible.

thinking that TN32 exists is a commonly made error. it is actually just a line on the map that defines the border of the smokey mountain national park.

ted, google is mistaken.

texanRT, you were not on that road.

nothing to see here... move along... move along.

ian
 
that is impossible.

thinking that TN32 exists is a commonly made error. it is actually just a line on the map that defines the border of the smokey mountain national park.

ted, google is mistaken.

texanRT, you were not on that road.

nothing to see here... move along... move along.

ian

I know nothing. I haven't been anywhere. :)
 
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