Shamrock Tour®

The Crooked Roads of Floyd, Virginia

11 min read

It was a typical Tuesday night, kicking back after a long day in the photography studio, when I got the call. Josh’s voice said, “I’ve got something for you.” No further details were necessary. I knew it meant a ride—better still, riding and taking pictures documenting our ride along the way.

As a full-time studio photographer in Raleigh, NC, with a few appointments already scheduled, I knew I had to make this happen. So, I decided to pull some extra hours and move a few things around to clear my schedule. After several full days in the studio, I was excited to have an opportunity to shoot for RoadRUNNER. It was a new experience for me, as I’m typically photographing in a controlled studio environment with subjects that aren’t moving at 50 miles an hour.

Mabry Mill, located at milepost 176 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, is a great stop to stretch and enjoy a slice of rural America managed by the National Park Service.

With work all caught up, I was packed and ready to join in an adventure through the scenic rolling hills and winding roads around Floyd, VA. I’d never been to Floyd before, so I was looking forward to exploring this area. Florian, publisher and editor-in-chief of RoadRUNNER; Josh, a fellow contributor; and Brian, our local guide from the Crooked Mountain Campground, were about to take me on an unforgettable ride that would fill my soul with the thrill of the open road and the camaraderie of motorcycling.

Motorcycle & Gear

2014 Triumph Explorer 1200

Helmet: Shoei GT-Air
Jacket: Triumph
Pants: Iron Workers Harden Jeans
Boots: Alpinestars
Gloves: Alpinestars
Luggage: Triumph panniers

Our first evening in Floyd was spent enjoying a local bluegrass band and eating authentic country cooking at the famous Floyd Country Store, right behind our hotel on Main Street. Brian and his wife Christie joined us for dinner, and we went over the routes for the next few days. With Brian’s local knowledge, we were about to dive deep into the area’s backroads, which included a few stretches of gravel. Some of them promised to be a little technical and others just perfect for keeping us on our toes.

Adventure awaits at every turn when rubber meets gravel. The sharp technical turns and unpredictable terrain on this route are scenic, but can be challenging at times.

Day One: The Heart of Floyd

Bright and early at 6:30 a.m., we met for a light breakfast and a review of the types of photos that were most important for this story. Brian led the way on his BMW F 850 GS for a northwest loop out of Floyd via SR 8. My 2014 Triumph Tiger Explorer hummed beneath me as I cruised through serene country roads. Celebrating 10 years with my Explorer and just over 35,000 miles on the odometer, I couldn’t be happier. It felt almost criminal to be having this much fun on a weekday. Deep down, I knew this was my time and soon that guilty feeling would go away.