'banjo's blogtastically stooopid day trippin' picture thread

[knybanjo]

Originally Posted by Mustang28027

Super tread and posting and pics... I am in Concord, NC. Would like to see a map of your rides if you can post....

Dave

Thanks

A 'map' of my rides is a tough one to deliver...as I don't have a gps and rarely reference a map while riding. I grew up riding unmarked trails and do most of my navigation by sight and a sometimes flawed sense of direction.

I do like to look at maps and even own several DeLorme state atlas and gazetteer books and often browse google maps as well. Both of those resources have a number of flaws in them though, the gazetteers are good for road locations but often have the name wrong and google's errors are constantly being updated. Unfortunately the errors don't seem to disappear, they just seem to rotate. Google shows through roads as dead ends and dead ends as through sometimes and the only way to know for sure is to ride them. I like google for it's street view and satellite imaging, it allows me to know what to look for when riding a new area ie turn rt past the white church etc.


Another great resource is the actual county road maps local governments often post online for free downloading. CLICK HERE for NC county maps in pdf format. These generally have good detail and show a road's surface better than the others but they often omit Forest Roads.

Now keeping up to date on Forest Roads practically requires a college degree....the govt's maps can be difficult to read as they often omit names and public roads. CLICK HERE for some of those maps in NC.


So you can see/imagine the difficulty in creating a map of where I've been may be, especially since often times I'm not really sure as I like to just explore and turn down whatever road looks interesting. Having a gps would solve that problem and I may eventually get one but I've had so much fun just wandering around 1/2 lost that I keep spending that money on new tires instead.


I'll be getting ready to do some more scouting for the rides I'll lead at this May's RDV as soon as we get some warmer, dryer weather along the NC/VA/TN border area. What I'll do is scan a specific area ahead of time using a combination of the maps listed above trying to remember what I've ridden recently and what may be new and look interesting. Then I'll just go ride the area and try to keep mental notes of what was fun and try to figure out where I was once I get home.


Another fun thing to do is to get one of those AAA state maps or similar and try to avoid every road on it!! You can keep track of where you are by keeping track of what mapped roads you have crossed. Seriously.

[cleanair]

and for West Virginia maps -http://gis.wvdot.com/gti/Mapping.aspx

[Mustang28027]

Good site. It also has "Scenic Byways" that look like some pretty good rides. Will have to see about hitting some of them...

Dave

[knybanjo]

Originally Posted by cleanair

and for West Virginia maps -http://gis.wvdot.com/gti/Mapping.aspx

Nice! Thank You.

Originally Posted by Mustang28027

Good site. It also has "Scenic Byways" that look like some pretty good rides. Will have to see about hitting some of them...

Dave

WV is one of those states where even the roads on the AAA map are fun!

[Wheedle]

Originally Posted by knybanjo

Well Helloooo Ladieeeesss!



Wheedle...that one was for you!

Been a bit crazy round here, not a lot of riding going on lately . I just got around to catchin up here, hope yuo and yours are doing quite well.

[knybanjo]

Originally Posted by Wheedle

Been a bit crazy round here, not a lot of riding going on lately . I just got around to catchin up here, hope yuo and yours are doing quite well.

Yes, still kickin'! I hope all is well with the Wee-Wheedle and fambly!

I even managed to get dragged out of bed for a ride today.

[knybanjo]

I met up with a handful of riders eager to help me do a little RDV ride scouting....you know May is just around the corner.

It was a bit frosty first thing this morning but ended up being quite mild under cloudless skies.










The first, and thankfully only mishap of the day happened before we even got to Laurel Springs.



...just a dirty pant leg....









This winter has been a mild one so far and the roads are in great shape as a result.

[Mark_O]

I hope there was some dirt put on that Georgia Wee today. That thing was way too clean the last time I saw it.

[Cuttle]

that's it? all this talk and only 3 pics

[knybanjo]

We looped around into Laurel Springs from the back way.....just to test the condition of the dirt.



...tried to catch a bird in that pic but it looks kinda funny.





guitarhack said the condition of the dirt was a bit slimy on the road so he decided to take a sample out of somebody's front yard!



He was OK..no harm, no foul.....get this, he rode up from Georgia yesterday and camped at Stone Mtn last night then rode back to Georgia this afternoon after hanging out with us for a bit!








The backyard @ Freebornes, going to be home to the RDV again in 2012!











6 bikes lined up and ready to go!

[knybanjo]

Originally Posted by Mark_O

I hope there was some dirt put on that Georgia Wee today. That thing was way too clean the last time I saw it.

See above post.

Originally Posted by Cuttle

that's it? all this talk and only 3 pics

Impatient much?

[knybanjo]

I stopped and took pics of this place Spring while scouting amidst snow flurries.

No snow today....and no stopping either!











Nothing but bright sunshine!











...more poorly framed 'on the fly' shots....









Seen quite a lot of this today.

[Cuttle]

Originally Posted by knybanjo

Impatient much?

me? never ...

[knybanjo]

Are you sure it's January?

[knybanjo]

Just couldn't resist having a closer look at this old shack in the switchback.....I had to pee.