Kruz - I just looked at each of those roads in Google Earth. To be honest, it looks to me like y'all have a similar 'issue' to what we have here in FL: We have some curves here and there, but they're separated by a mile or so of dead straight road ... so we gotta choose whether to blast up to 150 mph between curves to feel like we're really 'racing' the whole road, or race thru the curves and then relax at 70 until the next set of curves 3/4 mile ahead.

Y'all might consider meeting in NC instead: Tail of the Dragon, Cherohala Skyway, etc etc ... Super curvy roads all around within about a 50-mile radius, and you don't have to hit 150 mph for max thrill. Some roads so curvy you get into substantial lean angles while barely breaking the speed limit.

This time of year isn't optimum, though. Starts getting very cold, and fall leaves may be on the roads. And I know traveling isn't the best for you with a bunch of bikes you'd wanna choose from. Maybe you could pick 2 and truck or trailer them to NC.

Now that I think about it though, maybe some prefer point-n-shoot roads like you have: Long fast straights leading to a couple curves, rinse and repeat. I myself prefer the tight twisties of mountain roads with more constant back-and-forth leans and few straights.

Here's a Google Earth fly-over of the Tail of the Dragon:

* Last updated by: extrapolator on 11/4/2016 @ 10:15 AM *

I like both but unfortunately we don't have any mountains here. There are only a few places in America with roads as twisty as the Dragon, the rest of us make do with what we have. That said, I find the roads here in North Texas are plenty entertaining, the speeds are just higher.

Speeds on the straight sections between corners on the FMs are self limiting here as you would quickly find out if you ever came out this way to visit. Nobody does 150 mph on a two lane FM here unless they have a serious death wish. North Texas is built on what we call "black gumbo", every civil engineers worst nightmare, due to a high soil PI, around 40. This means the asphalt roads develop serious waves and ripples over time, enough to throw you off the bike if you hit them at high speed. I've come close several times at well below 100 mph in a really bad section. That will get your attention and you will slow down there the next time through. The freeways here are built much thicker and from concrete but still develop these uncomfortable waves over the years.

* Last updated by: Kruz on 11/4/2016 @ 1:03 PM *

No word yet from Rook, he may already be airborne and on his way to DFW airport as we speak.

Here's your Melissa to Blue Ridge route:

First thing I thought about when I saw those stretches in between turns was ***Wide Open*** Not what I would do but that was my thought..When I see others post their favorites, I realize how lucky I am to live where I do even tho I have slowed down a LOT lately ( I dont have to move over yet to let cadges past but getting there :) )

Very entertaining/informative thread..

Here's part of the Cherohala Skyway at the same scale as the TX map I posted above:

Here's another comparison, both with a 5-mile long yellow ruler on them for scale:

Melissa <> Blue Ridge, TX:

Cherohala Skyway:

* Last updated by: extrapolator on 11/4/2016 @ 2:17 PM *

Extrapolator, turn right on FM 1827 before reaching Blueridge, then right again at Altoga and proceed into New Hope.
Unfortunately, unless you can figure out a way to magically transport mountains (and jobs) to Florida and Texas, we'll both have to live with what we have available...

Rook should be wheels down at DFW any minute now, the suspense is killing me.

First thing I thought about when I saw those stretches in between turns was ***Wide Open***

No disrespect intended but depending on where you tried it, you might only do it once.

I think everyone's pretty much made the case for Rook's visit since it's not the Tail of the Dragon. He can swing by, jump on any one of my bikes, teach me how to ride these roads and still have time to catch the Redeye flight back to Green Bay. Easy, peasy, lemon squeezey, won't even break a sweat.

How many on this forum have antied up to assist him on his airfare?

Kruz..I understood after reading your post.. I was just saying that my first look....and of course you are correct.. I would never run a public road at speed ( Even as slow as I go :) ) without acquainting myself with the area.

Unfortunately, unless you can figure out a way to magically transport mountains (and jobs) to Florida and Texas, we'll both have to live with what we have available...

Right on ... just thought if somebody was gonna have to travel to meet-n-race, it might as well be an optimum place.

Extrapolator, turn right on FM 1827 before reaching Blueridge, then right again at Altoga and proceed into New Hope.

Here's a comparison of that route to a different section of the Cherohala Skyway, again at the same scale. Not trying to beat a dead horse. Just showing what's out there:

1827 into New Hope:

Another section of the Cherohala Skyway:

What the heck, here's about 80% of the Tail of the Dragon ... I just love these curvy mountain roads!

You can see that Cherohala speeds can be higher. The Tail of the Dragon's curves are pretty darn tight ... you might not get over about 60, unless you're really playing Racer Boy.

* Last updated by: extrapolator on 11/4/2016 @ 3:17 PM *

Kruz............I did not pitch in because this cant go anywhere but bad. Rook shud have just backed off .. and I feel you would have let him without throwing your keyboard at him.. I could be wrong but dont think so..
I seriously doubt that he is headed your way.

I think the cool thing would be for his apology and your acceptance. Then meet up riding somewhere in the summer , ride some and laff about it.. We all make mistakes of one kind or another..It is when the mistakes turn into tragedies that the curtains close.

* Last updated by: chrly on 11/4/2016 @ 2:59 PM *

chrly - Same reason I offered $6. Cuz it's a lil' silly. That said, if these fellers end up doing some ridin', I hope they let us know how it goes.

Living in FL I can understand Rook on this. We have very few curvy roads. And when's the last time you saw a cop giving a ticket on an on-ramp?
And being federal highway pavement, they're usually in great condition.
Is it optimum? Of course not. But for some it's almost all we got.

No, i wasn't joking. The ramps in Milwaukee and I'm sure most other places are as good as race track pavement. The slow moving traffic that might be encountered, guard rails and poles, the fact that you can't possibly keep your pace up and keep the tires warm is what makes the track a much better environment. I have roads here in michigan that are good but they have all the same hazards plus there are homes, police and deer and foliage that blocks your view. Only a fool would try to keep anything close to a race pace for more than 20 or 30 seconds. Something will get ya sooner or later.

So far we're falling $694 short of our goal. Is the forumathon still on?

I realize he's not coming and my apologies for escalating the situation but I thought it was unfair the way I was attacked by Rook over the whimsical video I posted earlier this week. Rook's reaction and intense criticism was not anticipated and I felt I had to respond the only way I could, by throwing down the gauntlet.

For obvious reasons, I prefer not to post any videos on the internet engaged in high speed illegal activities on public roads, you're basically providing crime scene evidence to an investigator.

If Rook doesn't get that I'm sorry but it's too bad, he may have to learn it the hard way.

If he is that obsessed by my riding ability he has only one choice and that is to come down to Texas and find out first hand.

Anyway yes, I would accept an apology from Rook for the nasty comments and let by-gones be by-gones. I've wasted two days of my life on internet racing and I'll never get the time back.

Two days.....yep..

" I've wasted two days of my life on internet racing and I'll never get the time back."

Ah well..The good part is , I have a few friends in Texas that have enjoyed our Northern California roads and this thread has helped me get a better look at theirs ..Thanks for that :)

If you ever get out this way, I think we have a road nearby for each of your bikes ;)

Just razzing you all along, Kruz. EXAGGERATION. I even thought you might be playing along.

Sorry for upsetting you, buddy. No insult to you or your riding was intended. If I didn't already believe you were fast, I would not have been disappointed by that video. Please except my apology but if I ever come down there, you are starring with license plate blocked out in a Rook video. As long as there are no complaints from onlookers, I have little concern about a police investigation. You might be getting filmed already without realizing it.

Ok thanks Rook, apology accepted, my apologies for losing my cool.

Thank you buddy. Just stopped by here to let you know I sent you a PM but glad to know our friendship is the same as always.

BTW, all you had to do was ask me for private ride video and I would have been more than happy to send some to you. I just didn't want anything posted on the internet or shared with anyone else.

OH FCOL! Send by email! I will just watch and trash but I have not been locked up yet and I show me getting passed by a cop after doing 100 mph. I think it's more of a concern with employers, maybe. Recently sent my superior a school drone video and later thought that might not have been the best idea since I have all my bike videos on the same channel. But I post them on FB. I get no comments at all. IDK if anyone even knows who is riding the bike.

Ok I'll settle this. Both your roads are shit and both of you are slower than me. ;-)

(see, now you hate me and love each other.)

ps. Your roads are shit though, I meant that. :-)

I just saw the whole video. There's a lot they're not showing.

I think I could ride with ya Kruz. Would definitely take some practice but I might be able to keep on you.