Johnson City Roundtrip The Southern Dozen Ride 01 The Snake Ride
This route was brought to you by:
RouteXpert René Plücken (MRA Master)
Last edit: 12-02-2021
Route Summary
This is Part 1 of the Southern Dozen, this 112 mile ride starts in Johnson City Virginia.
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Animation
Verdict
Duration
3h 2m
Mode of travel
Car or motorcycle
Distance
182.45 km
Countries
Watauga Lake
RouteXpert Review
The Southern Dozen are twelve rides based in Johnson City Virginia that travel all around the region. Each one is an adventure in itself that will take you through winding curves, breath taking natural scenery, historic landmarks, local points of interest, and fun attractions.
Whether you feel like exploring caves, seeing wolves, touring historic sites, leaning into heart-pounding curves or just taking in the views, you’ll find a ride that’s exactly what you’re looking for.
This route is Part 1 of the Southern Dozen and is a 112 mile ride that starts in Johnson City Virginia.
It is a mix of beautiful winding roads through the mountains and the rolling Virginia landscape.
Along the way you pass several villages where you can schedule a break.
Ride the Snake through the Tennessee mountains, through Stoney Creek and across into the pastoral Shady Valley (RP11) where you can have a quick lunch and do some souvenir shopping at the Country Store. The Snake is said to have "489 curves, 3 mountains, 1 valley packed into 33 miles!" The Southern part of the snake is not included in this review. If you want to ride it, then stay on the HW421 at RP11.
We drive on up to the extraordinary Backbone Rock, with outcroppings, hiking trails, and beautiful photo opportunities. One of them is the Backbone Rock Waterfall (RP13), there is a small parking area on the right side of the road.
Continue into Damascus (RP14) home of the Virginia Creeper Trail, and return through peaceful Mountain City (RP18) and continue along the beautiful Watauga Lake (RP20).
At RP21 you can visit the Carter Mansion, which is the oldest standing frame house in Tennessee, dating back to the mid to late 1770s.
At RP22 you can visit the Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area, which protects the land that was the location of several important historic events that occurred in the late 18th century.
I rate this route with 5 stars, because of the beautiful scenery and twisty roads through the mountains.
TN-133 Shady Valley
TN34 The Snake
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Disclaimer
Use of this GPS route is at your own expense and risk. The route has been carefully composed and checked by a MyRoute-app accredited RouteXpert for use on TomTom, Garmin and MyRoute-app Navigation.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
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Virginia
About this region
Virginia, officially the Commonwealth of Virginia, is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States, between the Atlantic Coast and the Appalachian Mountains. The geography and climate of the Commonwealth are shaped by the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Chesapeake Bay, which provide habitat for much of its flora and fauna. The capital of the Commonwealth is Richmond; Virginia Beach is the most-populous city, and Fairfax County is the most-populous political subdivision. The Commonwealth's population in 2020 was over 8.65 million, with 36% of them living in the Baltimore–Washington metropolitan area.
The area's history begins with several indigenous groups, including the Powhatan. In 1607, the London Company established the Colony of Virginia as the first permanent English colony in the New World. Virginia's state nickname, the Old Dominion, is a reference to this status. Slave labor and land acquired from displaced native tribes fueled the growing plantation economy, but also fueled conflicts both inside and outside the colony. Virginia was one of the Thirteen Colonies during the American Revolution, becoming part of the United States in 1776. The state was split by the American Civil War in 1861, when Virginia's state government in Richmond joined the Confederacy, but many in the state's western counties remained loyal to the Union, helping form the state of West Virginia in 1863. Although the Commonwealth was under one-party rule for nearly a century following Reconstruction, both major political parties are competitive in modern Virginia.
Virginia's state legislature is the Virginia General Assembly, which was established in July 1619, making it the oldest current law-making body in North America. It is made up of a 40-member Senate and a 100-member House of Delegates. The state government is unique in how it treats cities and counties equally, manages local roads, and prohibits governors from serving consecutive terms. Virginia's economy has many sectors: agriculture in the Shenandoah Valley; high tech and federal agencies, including the headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense and Central Intelligence Agency, in Northern Virginia; and military facilities in Hampton Roads, the site of the region's main seaport.
Read more on Wikipedia
The area's history begins with several indigenous groups, including the Powhatan. In 1607, the London Company established the Colony of Virginia as the first permanent English colony in the New World. Virginia's state nickname, the Old Dominion, is a reference to this status. Slave labor and land acquired from displaced native tribes fueled the growing plantation economy, but also fueled conflicts both inside and outside the colony. Virginia was one of the Thirteen Colonies during the American Revolution, becoming part of the United States in 1776. The state was split by the American Civil War in 1861, when Virginia's state government in Richmond joined the Confederacy, but many in the state's western counties remained loyal to the Union, helping form the state of West Virginia in 1863. Although the Commonwealth was under one-party rule for nearly a century following Reconstruction, both major political parties are competitive in modern Virginia.
Virginia's state legislature is the Virginia General Assembly, which was established in July 1619, making it the oldest current law-making body in North America. It is made up of a 40-member Senate and a 100-member House of Delegates. The state government is unique in how it treats cities and counties equally, manages local roads, and prohibits governors from serving consecutive terms. Virginia's economy has many sectors: agriculture in the Shenandoah Valley; high tech and federal agencies, including the headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense and Central Intelligence Agency, in Northern Virginia; and military facilities in Hampton Roads, the site of the region's main seaport.
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Amount of visitors (Virginia )
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Route Collections in this region
The Original Southern Dozen Motorcycle Rides in Tennessee Virginia and North Carolina
The Southern Dozen; hit the throttle and hold on tight!
There’s no better place to leave the daily grind in the dust than roaring around the curves of the Southern Dozen! Surrounded by some of the most breathtaking natural beauty in the country, you’ll find the freedom of exhilaration as you wind through the foothills and mountains of Northeast Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, and Western North Carolina.
Whether you’re looking for heart-pumping curves, breathtaking scenery, historic landmarks, local gems, or nearby attractions, the Southern Dozen has rides worthy of even the most seasoned road warrior. Explore the Original Southern Dozen and see all that Johnson City and the surrounding region have to offer.
Johnson City is a regional gem where big-city amenities meet small-town Southern charm. Here you’ll have access to everything you could want or need and more! Perfect for the casual rider and those who “live to ride,” Johnson City hosts numerous bike rallies each year. So plan your trip and book one of the many biker-friendly accommodations.
There’s no better place to leave the daily grind in the dust than roaring around the curves of the Southern Dozen! Surrounded by some of the most breathtaking natural beauty in the country, you’ll find the freedom of exhilaration as you wind through the foothills and mountains of Northeast Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, and Western North Carolina.
Whether you’re looking for heart-pumping curves, breathtaking scenery, historic landmarks, local gems, or nearby attractions, the Southern Dozen has rides worthy of even the most seasoned road warrior. Explore the Original Southern Dozen and see all that Johnson City and the surrounding region have to offer.
Johnson City is a regional gem where big-city amenities meet small-town Southern charm. Here you’ll have access to everything you could want or need and more! Perfect for the casual rider and those who “live to ride,” Johnson City hosts numerous bike rallies each year. So plan your trip and book one of the many biker-friendly accommodations.
View Route Collection
13 Routes
2657 km
50h 5m
A USA Road Trip East from LA
This is a 20 day trip that was 2 Years in the planning. Across 13 US States ticking off bucket list entries along the way.
• Riding up the Pacific Coast Highway and then visiting Yosemite Park in California.
• The extremes of Death Valley and LAs Vegas in Nevada.
• The scenic overload that was Utah, Zion and Bryce National Parks, Monument Valley and the Moki Dugway.
• Colorado and the Million Dollar Highway and San Juan Skyway
• New Mexico and the Rio Grande and the Cimarron Canyon State Park
• To Texas and the wide open spaces and the biggest steak known to man.
• Oklahoma will deliver Route 66 and iconic picture opportunities
• Arkansas offers up the Pig Trail and a chance to ride through The Ozarks.
• Tennessee gives us Memphis and Nashville a musical overload as well as The Jack Daniels Distillery
• Mississippi means you can travel along the Natchez Trace Parkway and just take it easy.
• Georgia and The Carolinas are home to The Blue Ridge Parkway that winds through The Smoky Mountains.
• Virginia brings you the Shenandoah National Park and Skyline drive
See a different horizon around each corner that just seems to beat the previous one for beauty. All the while marvelling at how each few miles the surrounding scenery can be so vastly different.
Ride some of the top roads in America who’s names appear on Top Ten list all over the internet. 3 even appear in the World top 20.
• Pacific Coast Highway
• Blue Ridge Parkway
• Tail of the Dragon
• Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument Ride
• Natchez Trace Parkway
• Million Dollar Highway
• Cherohala Skyway
• San Juan Mountain Skyway
• Pig Trail Scenic Byway
• Moki Dugway
This trip is about maximising memories to last a lifetime
• Riding up the Pacific Coast Highway and then visiting Yosemite Park in California.
• The extremes of Death Valley and LAs Vegas in Nevada.
• The scenic overload that was Utah, Zion and Bryce National Parks, Monument Valley and the Moki Dugway.
• Colorado and the Million Dollar Highway and San Juan Skyway
• New Mexico and the Rio Grande and the Cimarron Canyon State Park
• To Texas and the wide open spaces and the biggest steak known to man.
• Oklahoma will deliver Route 66 and iconic picture opportunities
• Arkansas offers up the Pig Trail and a chance to ride through The Ozarks.
• Tennessee gives us Memphis and Nashville a musical overload as well as The Jack Daniels Distillery
• Mississippi means you can travel along the Natchez Trace Parkway and just take it easy.
• Georgia and The Carolinas are home to The Blue Ridge Parkway that winds through The Smoky Mountains.
• Virginia brings you the Shenandoah National Park and Skyline drive
See a different horizon around each corner that just seems to beat the previous one for beauty. All the while marvelling at how each few miles the surrounding scenery can be so vastly different.
Ride some of the top roads in America who’s names appear on Top Ten list all over the internet. 3 even appear in the World top 20.
• Pacific Coast Highway
• Blue Ridge Parkway
• Tail of the Dragon
• Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument Ride
• Natchez Trace Parkway
• Million Dollar Highway
• Cherohala Skyway
• San Juan Mountain Skyway
• Pig Trail Scenic Byway
• Moki Dugway
This trip is about maximising memories to last a lifetime
View Route Collection
20 Routes
8673.89 km
174h 30m