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Ron,
I've not done that kind of route, but I'll give you what advice
I can. First, you can find "red-necks" anywhere ... in NH, in NJ
if you look in the right places, in northern California... etc.
Some of the friendliest motorists I've experienced, and the least
stressful areas, have been in the NC/SC backlands. Yesterday,
for example, I was in the SC Sandhills, an area characterized by
sparse population, mainly pickups and fast cars. Very friendly.
Act cordial, matter-of-fact, and wave when they wave at you.
Also, don't hog the road. (Good advice anywhere.)
Aim for the small towns, stay away from industrial areas and
recreational areas (reservoirs, beaches) and high population density.
First, it would be better to avoid the actual coast, because it
has terrible traffic from people at the beach. (Same advice for
Atlantic City, Rehoboth DE, Beverly, Mass., etc.) Also, the coastal
plain is quite broad, fairly flat, and can be very sultry. So
if you are going, say, through Augusta or Savannah (picturesque
towns) or Charleston (ditto), I'd then head north, through the backroads
of SC and NC, into some rolling hills.
Hint: lots of US-301 is deserted (even the 4-lane part) since I-95
superseded it, at least in the SC low country and Ga.
If I have a chance, I'll look at some maps, but try plotting a route
either east or west of Columbia SC (e.g., Lexington SC to Union SC
to York SC) and also avoid the relatively built-up I-85 corridor
(in which Charlotte, Greensboro, and Durham lie), maybe heading around
Winston-Salem instead. From a place like Danville, Va., you could
parallel the Blue Ridge in Virginia (I think US-29 does this pretty well,
but may be a bigger road than you want). The Shenandoah Valley is
beautiful, if it connects logically with your route.
A way to head east of Columbia and Charlotte might be through places
like Camden, Bishopsville, McBee, Chesterfield SC, on up to Troy NC
and through the Uwharrie mountains.
Hope this helps.
-john
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| In the mid-80's, I rode the Blue Ridge Parkway a lot (on weekends),
and have done the Skyline Drive once (in 1984). Traffic has increased
steadily, so it's less serene in the summer months than it used to be.
I'd still recommend these roads. For the Florida-to-NJ route, I'd
join the Parkway at Asheville or farther north, just because otherwise
it would mean deviating the route westward to catch the Parkway.
Also, it is a strenuous route, with almost no truly easy stretches.
Asheville to Front Royal would probably be about 450 miles, BTW.
-john
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| Hmmm... I was thinking of Huntsville, Al to Marlboro in the same time
frame, basically the Appalachians, and hitting up the Parkway too.
The route would basically parallel I-81, hit Tanneytown, Maryland
(cousin), a friend in nw N. Jersey, and beeline from there. I have it
fairly well planned out except for how to skirt the mess (NJ, NY,
Conn)... any recommendations? About 1100 miles, give or take. I was
going to give myself 3 weeks; anything less is fine. Speed/ease of
riding thru the hills is also a goal: I plan to carry just water, an
American Express card, and a Motel "6" directory. _kb
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| I will be traveling light, planning to stay in $29 motels every
night.
I like the idea of connecting with the Blue Ridge Parkway but it
seems that the extra distance will add a couple of days travel.
That may not be a problem especially if the scenery is as beautiful
as I've heard it is.
So far it looks like the route may be something like Route 17 north
from Orlando to Rt 301 through Georgia to Rt 25 up to the Blue Ridge
Prkwy then swinging east through DC onto Rt 301. Not sure which
bridges allow bicycles into NJ. I live in Manahawkin, about 40 miles
north of Atlantic City, so coming across Rt 70 is a good choice.
The original idea was to ride the ferry from Lewes, De. to Cape
May, NJ - but this puts the route along the coast, far from the
Blue Ridge.
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