Eastern Rally July 2026

mexican · Thursday at 1:01 PM

Dr.D said:
- The Bolling Wilson Hotel
This place looks interesting but might be a bit costly. Just FYI.

I was thinking about calling and asking if they would welcome a biker group? I will of course mention that our average age is close to 70 so we should not be to wild. Just a bunch of old geezers out for a meet and stroll.

Hey, im not THAT old!!!

mexican · Thursday at 1:07 PM

Frosty Rider said:
the time they post on these is just a challenge, you can do quicker then that, we have LED signs on the highways here, that tell you, so much time to this exit, or that exit, they are just showing you the time to beat. we also have signs on some streets here that flash up and show you how fast you are going, that's the high score sign, we all try to get a high score, if you do, it starts flashing red and other lights start blinking, it's great, luckily they got rid of all the speed camera's here, though they did take a nice picture of you and your bike, they penalty that comes with it, eh not so nice.

Learned all about speed cameras in Colombia a few months back, no cops, no warnings, if you break the speed limit you get an email a few minutes later with the amount you have to pay, for what they told me, the smallest fine is one minimum wage, they pay monthly not hourly like here, one minimum wage is the equivalent to $400 USD, When i was riding my friends bike and he was behind me with the family in his car, he was sweating bullets, i didn't know the laws and i was flying down the road, lucky for me, the only camera i ran across was not activated at that moment

Journeyman · Thursday at 5:11 PM

Just throwing this out to put in the mix.

Willville Bike Camp

They have a few cabins and amble camping space, bonfire scene nightly. Very eclectic mix of bikes and riders.

Google Maps

1hour 14 minutes to Back of the Dragon, but I'd take a longer less direct route....

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

maps.app.goo.gl

I've stayed there several times and always had a good experience. The number of cabins and availability might be the limiting factor for our group.

Regardless of where to stay, another ride near Back of the Dragon (Marion to Tazwell, VA) that I don't think has been mentioned is ~~the Devil's~~ (wrong)..... God's Thumbprint at Burkes Garden, not far from Tazwell (top of Back of the Dragon).

warp9.9 · Thursday at 11:05 PM

Journeyman said:
Just throwing this out to put in the mix.

Willville Bike Camp
They have a few cabins and amble camping space, bonfire scene nightly. Very eclectic mix of bikes and riders.

Google Maps

1hour 14 minutes to Back of the Dragon, but I'd take a longer less direct route....

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

maps.app.goo.gl

I've stayed there several times and always had a good experience. The number of cabins and availability might be the limiting factor for our group.

Regardless of where to stay, another ride near Back of the Dragon (Marion to Tazwell, VA) that I don't think has been mentioned is the Devil's Thumbprint at Burkes Garden, not far from Tazwell (top of Back of the Dragon).

Burkes garden is beautiful but its call God's Thumbprint. Road that area it has Amish community you'll see horse drawn buggies down there. Now a little more west over by Duffield Virginia is the devils bathtub.

Journeyman · Friday at 5:53 AM

warp9.9 said:
Burkes garden is beautiful but its call God's Thumbprint. Road that area it has Amish community you'll see horse drawn buggies down there. Now a little more west over by Duffield Virginia is the devils bathtub.

Thank you, Warp- my memory ain't what it used to be. No wonder I couldn't find it online the way I renamed it

.

You, btw, are the person who first told me about God's Thumbprint!

Beautiful ride and once you're in the "bowl" there is the added Amish element, which is cool.

Devil's Bathtub, you mentioned, is a hiking location for those interested in exploring a really cool area of streams, small waterfalls and natural water sinks

Dr.D · Friday at 8:05 AM

Journeyman said:
Just throwing this out to put in the mix.

Willville Bike Camp
They have a few cabins and amble camping space, bonfire scene nightly. Very eclectic mix of bikes and riders.

Google Maps

1hour 14 minutes to Back of the Dragon, but I'd take a longer less direct route....

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

maps.app.goo.gl

I've stayed there several times and always had a good experience. The number of cabins and availability might be the limiting factor for our group.

Regardless of where to stay, another ride near Back of the Dragon (Marion to Tazwell, VA) that I don't think has been mentioned is ~~the Devil's~~ (wrong)..... God's Thumbprint at Burkes Garden, not far from Tazwell (top of Back of the Dragon).

I have a very large multiple section 3D map on my wall at the office and I noticed this Burkes Garden as a unique stand out feature so I went to see it. It is remarkable.

Journeyman · Friday at 7:11 PM

Dr.D said:
I have a very large multiple section 3D map on my wall at the office and I noticed this Burkes Garden as a unique stand out feature so I went to see it. It is remarkable.

I read that a meteor created that formation. For those interested that haven't done the ride, it circles around the outside of the crater and then circles back down into the "bowl." I've only been twice, but didn't see any other bikes (hardly anyone, really). It's a very insulated community, as you can imagine. Very unique/cool place to ride.