The wife and I are planning a trip from Paddock Lake, WI to Raleigh, NC this year and I'd like some advice on a couple things. We're going to take 9 days to do this.

1. I thought about wrapping the ride around memorial Day weekend (End of May). Would the weather be too cold going through the Appalachian Mountains? I'm planning a route that goes through Deals Gap/Tail of the Dragon. I don't mind the cold weather, but the wife would not like it if it's too cold (below 50 degrees).

2. Any suggestions on nice routes to take would be appreciated too.

Thanks in advance.

Steve

 

im in se wis as well,chicago traffic sucks.best luck I've had is running 294 around the city at like 5 am on the weekend.i like to run 65-64-75-40 get their quick and have more time to ride the hills.the dragon was one of my least favorite rides,to many cops.every other road that had pkwy or skyway in the name was a good ride.i would do the dragon early on a weekday.

 

the temps will be in the 70's but it will be raining that time of the year, my son lives in NC, I usely take I65 to I64 to I75 then cut across I40 in Knoxville and cut down US321 thru the Smoki Mt National park and thru the Cherokee reservation then across US23 and pick up I40 agian

 

Little 62, is it US 23 or US 32? I did not see 23 on the map

 

The dragon will be packed on a holiday weekend. Like said above, if you can do it during the week it's not bad at all. The skyway is a good ride. By the end of may it shouldn't be that cold

 

Thanks for the information everyone. I appreciate it.

 

I don't know the route you're planning, but I've always thought interstate 77 down through WV would be a great ride. Been on it in the car, on business, but would like to go again on my bike. You can get 77 around Akron OH, I think. Maybe hit that New River Gorge bridge on the way down.

 

With that kind of time get you a Atlas and take back roads,,,get to the mountains and stay away from the Interstates...Or take the Interstate to Eastern KY and then take 119 to WV then 52 to 81 to Bristol then 321 to Boonethen west to 26 south to Asheville to the Deals gap etc...Going to Raleigh...take 64 east...you don't have to ride 80MPH, nice road...I just looked and saw 32 from Cinci to 23 to Kinsport i think...Like i said look at the map...be flexible a bit...these secondary roads are nice...