05-03-2025, 06:41 PM
Rally planning update:
Each month I'm making it my mission to scout new routes and restaurants for the upcoming Kingsport Rally, and this time I've really gotten a bit ambitious. I managed to rope SCCBrider into the weekend trip too, so between the two of us, and Cytocatlady running a separate route in the car, we're getting a lot of important data on the roads up here. Just like last time, it's going great! Today's ride was killer, despite a little bit of rain making it difficult. It has sights, scenery, a moderate length and difficulty, and even a legendary Tshirt road! Check out this map (make sure to turn highways off before viewing):
https://maps.app.goo.gl/iXhbKDVyTxqJd3LP9?g_st=ac
This route takes us up and over the Virginia Border to ride a portion of Hwy 58, which is a fantastic deep country highway full of gorgeous pastoral views and just enough banked turns to keep you interested. After that we reach Bristol TN, a really cool town famous for NASCAR Races, history, and existing in both Tennessee and Virginia simultaneously (kinda like Bluefield). But we're only going to skirt the edges, because we found out today that getting bogged down in the town center is a bad idea. Moving past Bristol we find the legendary Hwy 421, also known as The Snake. This here's a proper Tshirt road, complete with a general store at its heart that has good snacks, lots of other bikers stopping by, and souvenirs. They've even got a photo guy at one corner some days of the week. This will be one of the can't miss routes for this rally. 421 is a gem and if youve never been on it August is the time!
![[Image: LPd2vdx.jpeg]](https://i.imgur.com/LPd2vdx.jpeg)
![[Image: TejCHym.jpeg]](https://i.imgur.com/TejCHym.jpeg)
![[Image: mJ7oEVh.jpeg]](https://i.imgur.com/mJ7oEVh.jpeg)
![[Image: 05pKQjd.jpeg]](https://i.imgur.com/05pKQjd.jpeg)
After that section we'll turn north in Mountain City TN and follow a cool rock hewn road (91) up to Damascus VA, which is a great little town famous for outdoor activities like downhill biking, hikes, camping, ECT. There's a Lunch spot there I think everybody will enjoy called the Wicked Chicken. Not *all* of their chicken is adulterated so it's a good menu and a great atmosphere after hitting a lot of corners.
Wicked Chicken Winghouse and Tavern
https://g.co/kgs/ghmbq9X
![[Image: uW9lHGc.jpeg]](https://i.imgur.com/uW9lHGc.jpeg)
After a meal we'll just hop right over to a spot 3 miles away and see the world's shortest Tunnel! Backbone rock. It's a really fascinating structure. Just a massive wall out of living rock with a hole blasted in it. You can even climb to the top and overlook the road.
![[Image: OeNAE3C.jpeg]](https://i.imgur.com/OeNAE3C.jpeg)
![[Image: KM2oGzd.jpeg]](https://i.imgur.com/KM2oGzd.jpeg)
Following that, it's a few miles down the twisty fun of 133 and 91, which will have us crossing over 421 again. From here I'll give everybody the option to run 421 back to Bristol and then on to Kingsport, or continue down 91 for another new twisty road and some farm country riding. Either way is about the same distance.
Tonight's post ride dinner was at the Burg'r and Barrell in Johnson City. Fantastic sandwiches, BBQ, and Burgers here. It'll be my pleasure to bring the whole group down at least one night during the rally to enjoy their food and atmosphere.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/qrQpJm5QQZgbkNSM9
All in all this was a really cool day. Even the rain couldn't ruin it! Just another reason to make plans for the last week of August...
Also this is your reminder to send me a message about your T-shirt request if you haven't already. We need to know these numbers as soon as possible to ensure everybody gets one.
Each month I'm making it my mission to scout new routes and restaurants for the upcoming Kingsport Rally, and this time I've really gotten a bit ambitious. I managed to rope SCCBrider into the weekend trip too, so between the two of us, and Cytocatlady running a separate route in the car, we're getting a lot of important data on the roads up here. Just like last time, it's going great! Today's ride was killer, despite a little bit of rain making it difficult. It has sights, scenery, a moderate length and difficulty, and even a legendary Tshirt road! Check out this map (make sure to turn highways off before viewing):
https://maps.app.goo.gl/iXhbKDVyTxqJd3LP9?g_st=ac
This route takes us up and over the Virginia Border to ride a portion of Hwy 58, which is a fantastic deep country highway full of gorgeous pastoral views and just enough banked turns to keep you interested. After that we reach Bristol TN, a really cool town famous for NASCAR Races, history, and existing in both Tennessee and Virginia simultaneously (kinda like Bluefield). But we're only going to skirt the edges, because we found out today that getting bogged down in the town center is a bad idea. Moving past Bristol we find the legendary Hwy 421, also known as The Snake. This here's a proper Tshirt road, complete with a general store at its heart that has good snacks, lots of other bikers stopping by, and souvenirs. They've even got a photo guy at one corner some days of the week. This will be one of the can't miss routes for this rally. 421 is a gem and if youve never been on it August is the time!
After that section we'll turn north in Mountain City TN and follow a cool rock hewn road (91) up to Damascus VA, which is a great little town famous for outdoor activities like downhill biking, hikes, camping, ECT. There's a Lunch spot there I think everybody will enjoy called the Wicked Chicken. Not *all* of their chicken is adulterated so it's a good menu and a great atmosphere after hitting a lot of corners.
Wicked Chicken Winghouse and Tavern
https://g.co/kgs/ghmbq9X
After a meal we'll just hop right over to a spot 3 miles away and see the world's shortest Tunnel! Backbone rock. It's a really fascinating structure. Just a massive wall out of living rock with a hole blasted in it. You can even climb to the top and overlook the road.
Following that, it's a few miles down the twisty fun of 133 and 91, which will have us crossing over 421 again. From here I'll give everybody the option to run 421 back to Bristol and then on to Kingsport, or continue down 91 for another new twisty road and some farm country riding. Either way is about the same distance.
Tonight's post ride dinner was at the Burg'r and Barrell in Johnson City. Fantastic sandwiches, BBQ, and Burgers here. It'll be my pleasure to bring the whole group down at least one night during the rally to enjoy their food and atmosphere.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/qrQpJm5QQZgbkNSM9
All in all this was a really cool day. Even the rain couldn't ruin it! Just another reason to make plans for the last week of August...
Also this is your reminder to send me a message about your T-shirt request if you haven't already. We need to know these numbers as soon as possible to ensure everybody gets one.