Fun Riding spots in S.C.

[SlowWhite]

Just wanted to post up some really fun riding spots I found this week for those who live near the Columbia S.C. area.

I live kind of close to lake wateree and was out riding on the Lugoff side yesterday and the day before trying to find some nice twisty roads. And after 80 miles of riding I came up with 3 that are paved well enough and safe (if there is such a thing on the streets) enough to basically take as fast as you're willing to push yourself. Plus have great scenery/views of the lake if you want to take them slow.

You can use mapquest to see all the streets if it'll help you to picture the roads I'm talking about. Just start where I tell you and you can follow along the mapquest link I've provided
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.ad...ry=US&geodiff=1

First everyone of these roads are off 101(or River Road as it looks to be called on Map quest, but all street signs are labeled 101), same road that wateree state park is on.

For me I start at the Wateree Dam in Lugoff. to get there you take 601/1 to Longtown rd, then turn right onto, wateree Dam rd (make sure you turn towards the dam cause the road will look like it goes straight but that's actually Buck hill road and will turn into a gravel road about 1/4mile down, anyways take your first Left onto "Lake Road"

The first Road is called "Lake Road" This one is the My favorite out of all 3 roads
great hills and turns of all kinds, and is the longest, widest, and best paved out of all the roads. It's 8.5 miles from lake rd and Wateree Damn rd till you hit 101 at the other end.

Once you get onto 101 You turn Right and head towards Wateree state park, in about 4 miles The next road is "Rockbridge" that's the name on the signs at the start and end of the road and how I remember it, and I'm sure there is a street sign but can't recall that I've seen it. Basically it does a big "U" you start on 101 and you end up back on 101 just farther down. This one is 5.5 miles long, and has a mix of turns and some are sharper then lake road. There is a 1.4 miles straight though (good for wheelies) before you get to the fun part.

Once back at 101 you then turn right again heading towards wateree state park, after about 1.5 miles you will come to "Deer Run" - This one does another big "U" and is my 2nd favorite out of the three, tightest turns that are grouped closer together, has rolling hill turns which are great fun. This one is 3.8 miles long

Kind of funny now that I look at Mapquest, the roads seem a heck of a lot more twisty then mapquest makes them out to be. Most of the turns on Deer Run and Rockbridge are easily tight enough that you can drag knee, for me I haven't progressed that far in my riding ability, but have scraped my toes and my pegs a few times on some of the turns.

Almost every other road off of 101/river road on the lake side is paved, but most need to be redone, the roads are groved from wear/tear, I found my rear tire feeling like it would skip around when I was on them. And didn't feel comfortable taking them fast, but if you are more experienced and don't mind it, they all would make excellent rides probably 8 more roads between lake and deer run.

Anyways hope this helps and if anyone else knows of some great riding spots near the columbia area please post them up, always down for a ride to someplace new, or down for a group ride if anyone is interested.


EDIT - to add video of the roads I'm talking about. (it's 1hr/20min long)
www.sbmedia.info/brian/videos

- First road I turn left onto is "Lake road" - after that the video follows the path described above.
-I know the wheelies suck I'm still learning.
-Also this was the day before thanksgiving, so the cars parked on the side of the road and the traffic are normally not there. And are the reason I started to really slow down (didn't know what would be coming around the next corner)

But at least you'll get the general idea.

[R6 VENOM]

how far is this from Downtown Columbia? I live in Charleston but if its worth the ride would head that way for a good day of riding.

[SlowWhite]

Camden is 28 miles from Columbia, I went out on Sunday in the Z4, bike need a new back tire, and I think I'm not the only one who knows about these roads, there where a few sport bikes out, in full leathers.
Anyways I'll be out of town this weekend, heading to VIR. But if you ever want to come up for a ride let me know.

R6 Venom, a guy from one of my other forums is moving from Rochester NY to N. Charleston at the end of the month and he's looking for people to ride with, can I send him your way?

[SlowWhite]

Just wanted to give a heads up. I went out on these roads yesterday and they are doing shoulder work on Lake Road (putting dirt down) and getting dirt all over the road not sure if they are doing the whole road but for the first mile or so they were working that day, also with the leaves falling and the gusty winds we've had, all 3 roads were pretty covered in leaves, etc.
There were some spots/corners you could push it, but for the most part better to take them slow and be safe. Still a fun ride but nothing like it normally is.

[SlowWhite]

I've edited the first post to include a link to the video I made of these 3 roads. So that those who are thinking about making the trip can see if it's worth while.

[SlowWhite]

Went around the lake today and when I came up to Lake road there were 20 or so biker sitting at the start of it. Anyone from here?

Did the whole trip around the lake for the first time was 96miles, I hit every road that I like, except the 2 twisty roads on the camden side which would add probably another 10-5 miles or so.