best tool for planning "back roads" trips???
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 81
Likes: 2
DeLorme Gazetteer
Essentially bound topo maps per state. Shows lots of point of interest stuff too. Great for backroad planning.
http://shop.delorme.com/OA_HTML/DELi...minisite=10020
http://shop.delorme.com/OA_HTML/DELi...minisite=10020
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,520
Likes: 270
From: Wellsboro, PA
From where in VA will you be starting? How far north, in PA, do you wanna get? How many days do you wanna be out? I live in N Central PA. Alot of great riding in N Western PA. I never get tired of it. Depending on how long you plan to be out, I can give you some great rides. Where ever you go, try to get some info from the people who live there. You'll probably find some great rides that way.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 5,072
Likes: 104
From: Prescott, AZ
I rode for years and when people started using the GPS system... I would laugh and say, BS, who needs it... Well, I got a Zumo and it is a great tool - and its just that - a tool... it is NOT a do all and it can get your screwed up and you have to learn NOT to look at it too much while moving or you won't be moving much longer... Its great to find motels, food and when you do get off the main path... its great when {just where the Fu@@ am I} happens... lol...
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,702
Likes: 38
From: Houston area
I have done 1800 miles one way without ever touching a super slab/toll road and any number of 200-300 mile trips same way:
Look at a paper map and decide what AREA you want to ride through
Get a larger scale map and look at likely roads
Go to
http://www.motorcycleroads.us
http://www.openroadjourney.com/
and see if there are roads that are recommended that traverse your route
Post in the forum area by region and ask for local opinions of those roads, other suggestions and stuff to do/stay/see. I found people much more willing to help if you have made an effort first.
Since my GPSs are all in airplanes and my wife's boss's car I type out stretches of the trip in large font with turn info ie FM565 TR 30 miles FM146/90 TL. If there is a "secret" way to get through a town or a tricky area I print a map covering only that section in large scale using Google or Mapquest
I find the time is well spent and not too tedious...I even get a chance to look at routes for a plan B if road/weather intervenes.
Happy trails John
Look at a paper map and decide what AREA you want to ride through
Get a larger scale map and look at likely roads
Go to
http://www.motorcycleroads.us
http://www.openroadjourney.com/
and see if there are roads that are recommended that traverse your route
Post in the forum area by region and ask for local opinions of those roads, other suggestions and stuff to do/stay/see. I found people much more willing to help if you have made an effort first.
Since my GPSs are all in airplanes and my wife's boss's car I type out stretches of the trip in large font with turn info ie FM565 TR 30 miles FM146/90 TL. If there is a "secret" way to get through a town or a tricky area I print a map covering only that section in large scale using Google or Mapquest
I find the time is well spent and not too tedious...I even get a chance to look at routes for a plan B if road/weather intervenes.
Happy trails John
Last edited by flibuoy; Jul 30, 2009 at 09:33 AM. Reason: correct
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 752
Likes: 0
From: nc mountains
I am one that always felt confined by gps and regular comp map seervices. Went back to the good old maps but what i have been useing for state rides is the atlas and gazette from wally world. Yes it is some what costly but if rideing to an area and you want to see an plan day rides you can see the whole darn road not just a chip of it at 1/4 mile scale only or it ain't even there on regular maps. These maps will show amost ever road in the state. Still use the gps but only what up close use. and also don't plane the roads i ride as they my change.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 363
Likes: 2
From: Virginia
I just found out on Mapquest you can change the route it picked for you by dragging the planned route over to other roads you want to take. That feature has probably been there but I just found it. It works great if Mapquest puts you on an interstate and you want a back road, just click and drag.
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Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Newnan, Georgia
"Motorcycle Adventures" book series
Go to www.Amazon.com or a local book store and get Motorcycle Adventures (there are 3 in the series) by author and longtime rider Hawk Hagebak. Book #3 covers your part of the world and the detailed articles and real world advice are great. I've got all three books and have done many of the rides he writes about. Each ride has detailed maps, cool places to stop on the way, where to eat and where NOT to eat, etc. All back roads too.
Hope this helps. Be safe.
Hope this helps. Be safe.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 12,653
Likes: 18
From: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Once I have an idea of destination, I like to use "Google Earth". I can pick my routes, and see what they look like too. And I've found some pretty neat out of the way places to visit by traveling the route on there first.