Planning a long weekend near Wytheville, VA to ride the Back of the Dragon/Claw of the Dragon and surrounding area. Hoping someone on the forum can recommend places to eat and interesting stops.

 

Not sure where you are going to be in relation to Princeton and Bluefield but we just spent a week in that area. Taste of Memphis BBQ in Princeton was excellent as was another place in Bluefield called Buffalo Trail Brewery.
A lot of people suggested the Shatley Springs restaurant which is on 16 about 16 miles south of Mouth of Wilson. We were not that impressed with the place but the locals sure talked it up. Maybe you would have better luck than we did.


Also north and east of Wytheville is a little town called Paint Blank, great roads getting to this small place and a great place to eat called the swinging bridge.


If you are a dirty dancing fan north and east of Princeton is the Mountain Lake Lodge where the movie was filmed. Again, great roads to get there.


As I was told when I was looking for information, "dude! this is West by god Virginia and they are all great riding roads" And they were right, we found so many great roads that I almost started to long for a straight away! Even the slab is fun to ride in that area!


Enjoy and stay safe!

 

Ok, bringing this to the top. Planning long weekend 10/7-10/9 and looking for camping suggestions. Need showers, flush toilets, campsite with electric, and food/drinking close by. Within walking distance would be real nice. How cold is it going to be that time of year? Thanks guys!

 

UPDATE: Had a GREAT time riding around the Claw of the Dragon area. Perfect weather, great roads. Plenty to do in the area. Stayed right in Wytheville and headed out on a different loop of the Claw each day. Planning to re-visit next year!
View from Big Walker Lookout Tower and Foster Falls.

 

Hi,
Heading there 10/7-10/9. Staying on West Main street. So you rode all 5-loops that are shown on the Claw Map? Would you recommend any particular order?

 

Staying in Wytheville for the night this Sunday, heading to Pigeon Forge Monday morning

 

I will be in the area next week also. Last I checked it looked like good weather for the week.

 

Looks great so far! Keeping an eye on Matthew for the end of the week ride home

 

Meadows of Dan, VA right off the BRP on Rt 58. Great riding all around that area too. http://www.willvillebikecamp.com

 

We didn't ride all the loops on this trip. Rode the Bastian Loop and parts of the Galax and Bland Loops. We wanted to ride the Back of the Dragon and see the Big Walker Lookout Tower and the Shot Tower near Foster Falls. Plenty to do besides riding in the area, but the riding is fantastic no matter which road you choose.