What map to buy, where to go on the map?

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Got my $1 map I bought in 1993 (above), but the scale of 1:2,200,000 means it lacks details and is hard to read on the road.
I will bring my Garmin (with City Navigator for USA), but want a map as well. For planning/fore-play :tongue:   but also to have in the tankbag. (call me old fashioned.....).

So what is your advice?
-buy the Rand McNally 2012 Road Atlas (the regular size or the mid size?)
-buy the Rand McNAlly folded maps for NC and TN?


TMAC runs from Thurs-Sunday, so I assume we will cover most of the fun stuff in the Smokies.
Prior to TMAC I will hook up with Gradus and do some of the BRP together on the Sunday. so on Mon-Wednessday my itiniary has only one aim so far. and that is get to Estill Springs. And while JD is not whisky, I might be tempted a visit..

So, if you have (Garmin)routes/tracks/things I must see, I'll be interested!

Do you have AAA?  If so, they offer free (I believe so) Trip Tik planners that have construction projects in them.  I used one a couple of years ago on a trip from CT to FL.  It was actually very handy.  If not then I would see if there is a member that can get you local maps of the areas that you're interested in.  The atlas and folded maps tend not to be too detailed.  Good luck.

Here's a link that will point you towards some nice roads in the area... http://www.cherohala...ohala_maps.html

Hey Dutchy, let me know the states you want (TN, KY, NC, others?), I can go to AAA, get FREE maps and mail them to you or someone stateside that can give them to you when you get here.  Let me know, I would be glad to help out.

We're talking about paper maps, right?

The states will send you free travel guides and maps.
TN: http://www.tnvacation.com/
NC: http://www.visitnc.com/
SC: http://www.discoversouthcarolina.com/
KY: http://www.kentuckytourism.com/
VA: http://www.virginia.org/Welcome/

I was just looking at some of the sites and I'm not sure if all of them will mail overseas. So I ordered them all and will send you any of the ones you want plus any other states you want to request. VA has a page for the Netherlands(I guess I should have said the Dutch). :tongue:

Mad Maps.  https://www.madmaps.com/

MadMaps has many great local routes of the area, but I suggest you just find some members and be guided to the best ones!

BR

[image: View Post]Dutchy, on 19 January 2012 - 10:05 AM, said:

And while JD is not whisky, I might be tempted a visit..

We can do some bourbon tasting when you arrive on Saturday.  I have a nice little collection that I keep.  If you go to the Jack Daniel's distillery, look into also hitting the George Dickel distillery a few miles away.  Could be a great way to spend one of your days.

When I take bike trips by myself, I love to stay a night or two at the Deal's Gap Motorcycle Resort.  Always lots of friendly people to talk to, activity in the parking lot and the Gap is much better mid week.  We also have people show up early for TMac, so keep an eye out for those people.

The real question, Leon, is are you bringing yer klompen?

AA USA road atlas - looks good to, me

Here you go Dutchy.  These maps are great because they are motorcycle oriented, compact in size, and they are offered in tear resistant material.  I'd be happy to  ship to you if you decide to purchase them.

http://shop.americaridesmaps.com/

Rollin

I came across this site about a month ago doing some trip planning, though haven't used it much.  It appears to be supported by donations and some limited advertising.  You can browse (for free) by region (worldwide - at least 5 continents), with suggested best M/C roads, many with user reviews.  I started by checking out my own area and it came up with most of the good roads around, so I figured it should be similar in areas unfamiliar to me.   It's not what you'd likely use on a trip, but it does seem helpful to pick out interesting roads that can be stitched together for one.  The user reviews have  rankings in various categories such as scenery, road surface, law enforcement, etc.  Seems like a neat website and the price is right (free!).

One problem I had trouble with at first was that when clicking on Browse Routes > The Americas > United States, the list of states ran off the bottom of my laptop screen.  If I tried to click on the slider on the right side of the screen, I lost the menu and had to start over.  I finally solved it by opening the menu(s), then using the down arrow key to scroll to the "W" states.

http://www.bestbikingroads.com/

Great info, much appreciated!


Maps, I received a set of AAA maps already (Cheers Steve!) and believe some other tourist maps are en-route.
Together with the Garmin City Navigator North America for my GPS, I should be ok :tongue:

With Gradus and I planning to have lunch in Litte Switserland on the Sunday, heading for Robbinsville for the night seems do-able.
(weather permitting....). That would have me on the Monday to Estill Springs, Tuesday in the area taking it easy, Wednessday to Franklin.. :tour:


Whisky, or as it is called across the pond whiskey....
Gradus, I'll fill up some samples from my scottish single malt collection so we can have a little cultural exchange.
I also want to bring a bottle to TMAC, for medicinal purposes ofcourse, unless nobody is interested/drinks the stuff.  Am open to suggestions as to which destillery, the most votes wins!


Klompen............  maybe....   :tongue:

Really looking forward to finally meeting you dutchy. Just about every gas station has decent maps for sale when you get here.

I need to lay my hands on it, but my favorite map is one of only Western North Carolina, I am sure it is in the tank bag of one motorcycle out in the garage. It has a lot of detail of the good roads in Western NC and good detail on the NC portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway.  I will try to get the name of the map for you.

A bottle of Laphroaig 25 year old scotch will be just fine Dutchy.  Thanks for asking.

Rollin

I like the Rand-McNally Easyfold maps for use on the motorcycle because they are laminated. Really durable.

http://store.randmcn...ofold-maps.html

just dont call it a kaart.  they will look at you funny.

[image: View Post]HispanicSlammer, on 08 February 2012 - 04:51 AM, said:

Really looking forward to finally meeting you dutchy. Just about every gas station has decent maps for sale when you get here.

Looks like HS is about to roll the odometer over to 10,000 posts . . .   :beer:

[image: View Post]timmythecop, on 08 February 2012 - 08:33 PM, said:

just dont call it a kaart.  they will look at you funny.

and I will say "check please" instead of asking for the bill.........

Although I've bought Motorcycle specific maps in the past, I usually use regular road maps.  If the scale is large (small area) you will be able to see which roads you want.  It doesn't hurt that once you're in the Southern Appalachian mountain range, you can simply zig and zag across the mountains and be assured of hitting great roads from Virginia down to Georgia.
   For North Carolina, I really like the Western North Carolina Map from UniversalMap (Kappa Publications).  Western NC (the best part) is usually just a small box on most maps of the entire state.  This map has lots of detail.
   After lunch in Little Switzerland, head south on the BRP and be sure to take the side road up to Mount MItchell.  The BRP from there down to the end in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park is the absolute best of the whole Blue Ridge Parkway/Skyline Drive Road.  Don't get stuck behind cars or Harley Davidsons on the Parkway.  Just pass them in a polite manner unless you see a Park Ranger.  AND KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE ROAD WHEN YOU PASS SCENIC PULLOUTS.  I think this is a prime place for motorcyclists to let their attention wander and get into trouble with cars pulling back on the road.The roads further south will be well-covered at TMAC, I'm sure.

I bought the Harley Davidson Road Atlas. It's a pretty good map, has all of the States and a lot of Canada. It also has a lot of recommended riding roads.

Dutchy,
Any chance you can "swing by" BC on your way back? You've traveled that far, it would be a shame to miss it... :tour: And the people are so nice up here, eh?   Or maybe in another trip? In this case, you wouldn't really need a map, we don't have enough roads for that--they're all great for motorcycling!!  Ok, I have nothing intelligent to contribute, I really just wanted to chime in and say hi.
C

[image: View Post]Polarbear, on 09 February 2012 - 02:17 PM, said:

, I really just wanted to chime in and say hi.



Cheers :beer:

What is your vote for the single malt? (not a bottle that costs 25% of my airfare.....)

WOW!!!!





Thank you 2thdr and Rescue13 for filling up the spare couch!!!!





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Maps, maps, magazines, flyers and even an SD card with Garmin routes.....

:tour:

[image: View Post]Dutchy, on 17 February 2012 - 06:52 AM, said:

WOW!!!!





Thank you 2thdr and Rescue13 for filling up the spare couch!!!!





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Maps, maps, magazines, flyers and even an SD card with Garmin routes.....

:tour:
Cool Sha and I hope we can make it to TMAC.

You meet some of the nicest people on a Honda..... :ohmy:

Looking forward to meeting you, hope your trip is safe.

Gradus has great advice and routes in his squirrely brain,  you be assured some good routes listening to him.

Hi Purvis,

Gradus is actually going the extra mile and then some.......... :fing02:




I've decided to read up a bit on history as well


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[image: View Post]skuuter, on 25 March 2012 - 05:55 AM, said:

If You're readin' up on the Civil War here Dutchy, don't believe the ending....."THEY" actually lost..... :tongue: ......Jack Daniels Distillery (Lynchburg) and George Dickel Distillery (Normandy) are only about 30 miles apart...JD Tour takes most of a day, not sure about GD...GD used to have very odd/sporatic Tour times. Maps won't be needed in my Area after You arrive..... :rolleyes:

Just encase I didn't add a map/brochure for this, I know it's a may be a bit out of the way;
Link:
Kentucky Bourbon Trail


Woodford Reserve is like Ma-Ma's Milk. LOL

If You're readin' up on the Civil War here Dutchy, don't believe the ending....."THEY" actually lost..... :tongue: ......Jack Daniels Distillery (Lynchburg) and George Dickel Distillery (Normandy) are only about 30 miles apart...JD Tour takes most of a day, not sure about GD...GD used to have very odd/sporatic Tour times. Maps won't be needed in my Area after You arrive..... :rolleyes:

Yeah that looks a bit out of the way.

Dickel looks nice, they do tours on Tuesdays too and my last name starts with Dick as well......
I will -hopefully- the only dick at TMAC :tongue:

[image: View Post]Dutchy, on 26 March 2012 - 01:29 AM, said:

I will -hopefully- the only dick at TMAC :tongue:

now you are just working my side of the street...............

[image: View Post]Dutchy, on 18 March 2012 - 01:56 PM, said:

Hi Purvis,

Gradus is actually going the extra mile and then some.......... :fing02:




I've decided to read up a bit on history as well


[image: Posted Image]

:offtopic:
I just came to the chapter where the first shot was fired, the attack on Fort Sumter.

Which happened exactly 151 years ago today......

Since no more votes came forward on the single malt whisky to bring, I will pick one myself at Schiphol airport. :tongue:



My plan to bring little sample bottles of my malt collection fell through (after I filled some 30 of them).
FAA etc do not allow spirits onboard (suitcase or handluggage) unless in original retial packaging :pissed:    NOT going to risk my suitcase not being put on the plane...

So many roads up here, so little time.