Planning a ride down to Staunton next week with the Mrs. Any great riding routes other than the PArkway in that area? We'll hit the Parkway for sure but I don't want to miss other rides. Looking West there's a couple interesting roads through the mountains. Should have all day Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday to ride. Heading back Friday

 

Yep, from Staunton, head west and up into the hills--don't know what roads I was on at the time, but spent about three days just riding the backroads of western VA and West VA. Look up the Cass Scenic Railroad State Park and head up that way. Nice roads getting there (you'll go past a huge radio telescope on the way up) and it's a great place to stop for lunch by the river at the station. Watch out for bears and deer on the road.

 

From Staunton, take 250 west to 42 South. The road is a beautiful 2-lane once you get away from the congestion...look at a map and find your way around Blacksburg/Newport (460 west to 730 South, then back on 42, if I remember), take 42 right across Big Walker Mtn. and into Wytheville, then if you have to get back to Staunton, it's a quick run back up I-81.

Much of 42 is a designated scenic byway, 2 lane road that meanders along river bottom, lotsa shade, not a lot of red lights or traffic... Been a few years since I ran it, 3 or 4 , but very beautiful !!!

 

Look at 250 from Staunton to Monteray. 220 south to Covington, hop on I 64 and pick up 42 back north to Staunton. Nice loop. Most all roads crossing over into WV are great. 39 92 219 are good WV roads. Also 11 south from Staunton to Natural Bridge is a nice ride out in the country and the Bridge is pretty interesting in itself.

 

Make sure to have rain gear (although more of a wet fog) and prepare for all kinds of temps.
You may wish to consider purchase of the "Mad Maps" the one map that reads Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland & Delaware. The map was very good.. Consider New River Gorge Bridge in west Virginia (it is on West Virginia state quarter) and do the cool one lane road down under the big bridge, over the little bridge and back up the other side while at New River Gorge. (FREE/several videos on you tube of people on this ride). Some stops: near charlottesville/virginia Monticello ($20 Thomas Jefferson house),University of Virginia for pizza and beer at Magic Mushroom (pay parking garage by the hour)across from historic university (similar to Jefferson house in structure) then there is Lexington worth a lunch or dinner stop to drive by the university FREE (Washing & Lee) and drive by military institute FREE almost next door and see the cemetery about 1 mile away FREE (Stonewall Jackson) then a short drive away the tourist kinda/sorta trap of the Natural Bridge for ($20 per person) 3/4 mile partially paved hike along a creek, see rock bridge, George Washington scratched initials, small little water fall, butterfly exhibit etc...has small outdoor $9 sandwich/$3 water shop near water after/ past admission, the wife and i enjoyed it but not really for a guys only trip or if on a budget if cash is tight just pass it or just visit very large free gift shop and use bathrooms...Stop at the tiny town of Paint Bank(1 gas pump, little general store, nice restaurant has a water wheel far out in back and a little path up a hill to a trout pond) nice motorcycle road and worth a stop if in the area even if just for a soda, gas and to see the outside mill/water wheel(free) and feed the trout(25 cents bubble gum type machine) behind the store just walk and follow stones up the little hill just behind water wheel which is behind the store.Place is a common motorcycle stop although most do not seem to know about the water wheel or trout pond since they are behind the shop...just ask... I would not go out of my way to get to Paint Bank but if in the area i would stop since it is a known destination in the middle of nothing...Not far from Paint Bank is The Greenbrier Resort /Nuclear bunker and with advance reservations of $30 per person you can go on a guided tour of the Nuclear Bunker that was hidden with-in the formally ultra fancy resort..My wife and i thought the tour was cool and then walked about the resort followed with a lunch at the golf club house which is a 15 minute walk from resort...not for everybody but the bunker place has been on the history channel a few times and just for information the Tour includes nothing but the guided tour and small envelope of pictures, security gate will tell you that motorcycles must park across the street from resort due to horses? i think it is a valet only hotel,parking is free and they will pick you up with a van if requested from across the street, look at google earth and notice Amtrak parking since that is the parking i am writing about, the food prices at golf club house is about $4 for a Coke and a one person pizza is about $18, sandwich about same $...ask for window table..a mixed drink is about $9..seems like PGA was being set-up at the time.. again this tour/place is not for everybody but if you like history, would like to to see what West Virginia called/calls fancy, enjoy golf views (from club house) and are OK with the $30 dollars per person tour price then this would make for a nice 4 hour stop...but the in/out of tour+ sandwich+ drink is going to cost you about $120 for two people.
I have done several of the things listed on Mad Maps including "Douthat Park" it was a long road with plenty of curves that went thru a park the whole time with little to no traffic but the speed limit was low 35mph..it will not change your life but it was nice.. it had a lake, tiny waterfall and i think it was free with some honor system of $3 if you parked...The I-64 corridor from new river Gorge to charlottesville was excellent with only mild traffic upon return, very few on/off ramps and there is one small turn-off-rest with signage about Richard C. Dupont and something about a sail plane (get off bike/walk 10 steps/shrug shoulders/get on bike)FREE. The Shenadoah Harley dealer on a road called Thunder something is probably one of the nicest dealers i have seen FREE (note:the entrance road to dealer is well hidden by a car dealer) worth a **** stop and a mountain view. The dealer is just a turn and down the road from Peck's BBQ(also on mad maps). Peck's is a tiny place that has only one table outside but the food was good and tasted fresh (paper bag/wax paper style about $7-9 per person). I would have two suggestions for you Mad maps and some kind of GPS's, although the roads are very well marked sometimes the roads and exits kinda surprise you since they are so skinny and hidden by trees. None of the above answers your question but i thought it might help. Enjoy your trip and take a cheap ($20 at walmart) motorcycle cover so your bike is not wet in the morning.
The routes on Mad Maps were good in my opinion...
*Several locals mentioned Cass Scenic Railroad but i was unable to make it.