Motorcycle Touring the Rockbridge Area

The Rockbridge area is great for motorcycle touring. Whether you ride you bike to Rockbridge or trailer it and then ride, youíre in for a treat!

If you're riding to the area, Interstates 81 and 64 offer access from all points. While 81 is more traveled, and has a higher concentration of trucks, the scenery from both the north and south is spectacular. I-64 from Richmond and Charlottesville takes you over Afton Mountain, with great views of the Virginia Piedmont from the east and the Shenandoah Valley to the west. I-64 from Beckley and Lewisburg, WV is also a beautiful ride through the Allegheny Mountains.

For those who prefer getting off the interstates, US Rt. 11 is perfect. Much of Rt. 11 from Lexington northward through the valley is four-lane, though not limited access. You need to be watching for traffic coming out of country roads and even driveways, but the sight lines are generally good. The rolling countryside and long sweeping turns are just made for motorcycles!

One of the most popular roads for bikes anywhere around is the Blue Ridge Parkway. The parkway is two-lane, with a 45 mph speed limit but thatís plenty for just enjoying the ups and downs and many turns of the road. Frequent overlooks provide lots of places to stop and check out the views. Access from the Rockbridge area is via Rt. 56 in the northern part of the county, by Rt. 60 East from Buena Vista, or Rt. 501 from Buena to Rt. 130 at Snowden. Other places to get on or off are at Rt. 43 south of the Peaks of Otter with access to Buchanan and Bedford, or farther south at Roanoke. Northbound on the parkway, thereís access at Rockfish Gap at Waynesboro. Beyond this point, the parkway become the Skyline Drive as you enter Shenandoah National Park.

Other nice rides in Rockbridge include Rt. 39 from just north of Lexington off Rt. 11 to Goshen, which takes you past the Virginia Horse Center and Goshen Pass. The Pass has overlooks and picnic areas, and in the summer, take a swimsuit for a dip in the cool mountain waters of the Maury River.

An alternate trip would be to take Rt. 39 to Rt 252. Rt. 252, the Brownsburg Turnpike takes you through some of the prettiest farmland in the county, and the quaint village of Brownsburg. Several miles north of Brownsburg, look for the right turn onto Raphine Rd, (Rt. 606). Stop at Wadeís Mill to see a real water-powered grist mill, and also at Rockbridge Vineyard. Beyond the vineyard, you'll pass through Raphine, and then under I-81. A couple of miles east of the interstate, youíll intersect US 11, where you can turn south to return to Lexington.

Another nice trip is south on Rt. 11. Fifteen miles south of Lexington, stop at Natural Bridge to see the Bridge and other attractions like the Wax Museum and Toy Museum. Continuing south on Rt. 11, ignore signs that say Rt. 11 runs concurrent with I-81 and stay straight at the Exxon station. By staying on the east side of I-81, youíre on the old Rt. 11.

Late March into November can have great weather for motorcycling. The spring colors in April and May, the cool of the mountains on the parkway in summer and the changing leaves in fall each have their appeal to riders. Come experience Rockbridge on your bike this year!