I also recommend US58 from "stem to stern". It is an outstanding ride for leisure riding. (rolling hills is what VA is noted for)
Be sure and ride US221 up the mountain out of Roanoke, turn around and ride back down; at speed either way.
Parkway is OK, a bit over-hyped though..........

 

You are going to love it. I ride the Smoky Mountain roads a lot and that is my favorite. 33 miles of bliss!

 

Also run the Python. Hwy 58...Mouth of Wilson to Damascus.

 

My favorite road is US 50 from Cumberland, Md. to Grafton,W.Va. Tons of old Americana (Chew Mail Pouch Tobacco) Lots of twisties, and has the famous Hairpin turn & Horseshoe curve just past Rowlesburg, W.Va. Also check out Cool Springs Park right before the Hairpin & Horseshoe. The coolest tacky souvenirs you could imagine, and a milk shake & burger to die for, at 70s prices. (Course may have gone up a tad since I was there last, about 7-8 years ago.) I have never done this road on a bike; only in a car, but I guarantee you will love it.

 

Can imagine the roads are awesome. Been on Tail of the Dragon, Cherohala Highway, Hellbender 28, The Rattler 209, Shady Valley 421, Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive. Always looking for more roads to ride on. Just copied and pasted from here in my email so I can research some more tonight at home since I'm at work.


Actually love OH, WV, PA, VA, TN and NC roads. Know what gets me smiling and laughing is all the funny street names Southerners designated.


Thorey

 

There have been a lot of good suggestions already. Generally the area comprising eastern WV/western VA is nice riding. The east west roads here go over the ridges so riding back and forth east to west, west to east, etc on 50, 33, 250, and 39 is fun. Rt 16 from Mouth of Wilson VA to St Marys WV is pretty much continuous curves if you like that. The little "600 roads" in VA are county roads and most are not on state maps but are fun to explore. Obviously the Blueridge Parkway in VA/NC is a must if you haven't ridden that yet.

 

All the great places mentioned, plus rt. 56. Also, the Lake Lure area in NC. Its a biker nirvana.

 

I always hit the back roads around Lynchburg while I'm there, good roads, great scenery, lots of history.

Two lane twisties so be careful.

 

The colonial parkway in Yorktown, VA is also a good one to hit if you like history and things like that. Pass right by some battlefields and there is a nice area right on the river as well.

 

Route 16

One of the best roads in VA and WV. Do yourself a favor and have a look.