skyline drive in VA

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skyline drive in VA

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skyline drive in VA - 2/18/2008 4:07:59 PM

08Nightrain

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I was just wondering if anyone has done this trip stayed there etc looking for advice tips if its worth going or not thanx in advance

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RE: skyline drive in VA - 2/18/2008 5:28:34 PM

onthedish1

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As nice as Skyline Drive is, which is very beautiful; however, the speed limit is slower than the Blue Ridge Parkway portion. Overall, the Blue Ridge Parkway, which begins at the lower end of Skyline Drive, is more beautiful and a nicer ride. I've done both, so I speak from experience. If you only have time for Skyline Drive, you'll enjoy the trip. Please note that 4-wheeler traffic is greater on Skyline Drive than the Blue Ride Parkway.

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RE: skyline drive in VA - 2/18/2008 6:36:25 PM

lonewatie

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Didn't stay overnight, rode about 40 miles of it on new years day. Speed limit is 35. The higher elevation parts of the road are closed in winter due to icing risk (or so I've heard). Beautiful though, great views. Plan on doing BR parkway down to the dragon come spring.

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RE: skyline drive in VA - 2/19/2008 5:30:25 AM

artt

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I've ridden the Skyline Drive and the length of the Blue Ridge Pkwy a couple of times. Neither of these roads are made for making time. The Skyline Drive is full of things to see and places to stop. If that's what you want to do, ride slowly and enjoy the sights, the trip, in my opinion, is well worth it. A couple of cautions though. The speed limit on the Skyline Drive is vigorously enforced and the Drive is a protected area so no hunting and lots of furry woodland creatures to wreck the bike with. Each time I've ridden the Drive in Summer I've seen no fewer than seven deer crossing the road. Two of them were Does standing in the middle of the road escorting their fawns accross as I came around a sharp corner. The time frame in each case was late July. Oh yeah and 400lb Black bear that don't cross at the cross walks or look both ways before they cross. You can see the wisdom of the speed limit. Enjoy, you'll like it.

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RE: skyline drive in VA - 2/19/2008 1:55:30 PM

Lee n Tj

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Rode Skyline and Blue Ridge this past summer. Enjoyed both, but agree B/R is nicer all around. Speed limit on Skyline is strickly enforced. Saw more Leo's giving out tickets in any 10 mile stretch of the skyline than I saw the entire lenght of the B/R. You can ride it in a about 4 hrs at 35mph as I recall if you have time continue on down the B/R til you have to head back.

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RE: skyline drive in VA - 2/19/2008 2:09:31 PM

breaknbad

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I like them both. Live about a hour away from both so i ride a couple of times a year.

Only thing i don't like about skyline drive is they put very small gravel on the road. It will move your bike around a Little bit if you push the speed limit on the curves. The gravel isn't always there and i am usually warned when i pay the toll to get on the road to be careful. The ride is great if your in the area. If your riding blue ridge definitely hit skyline too.
I wouldn't plan a vacation around it, but it might make one a Little more memorable.

David

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RE: skyline drive in VA - 2/19/2008 8:39:50 PM

KLEETEE

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I rode both the Skyline and the Parkway in late september. IMO I would try not to ride early
morning or after 4:30 or so in the afternoon. Late afternoons we saw numerous deer Including one that I'm sure put a flat spot on my rear tire. Be careful and you will be fine. It's Beautiful there and I can't wait to go again. Good Luck

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RE: skyline drive in VA - 2/24/2008 3:30:02 PM

vabiker07

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I have never done it, even though I live in Va, I know folks who have and say its a BEAUTIFUL ride

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RE: skyline drive in VA - 2/26/2008 7:45:58 AM

BillyO

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I do it in Spring from NH every year. My experience has been great. On weekends Skyline can be crazy with CRAZIES.
Do the entire ride down to Great Smokies.
The South end of BRP is wonderful.

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RE: skyline drive in VA - 3/31/2008 12:34:40 PM

roadking08

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Just got my bike so I have done neither. I have done some hiking in the woods in the park and yes...there are deer and bear everywhere. Do be careful out on the road.

Can't wait to get out there this summer.....and it is also very nice in the fall with all the changing leaves.

Will

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RE: skyline drive in VA - 3/31/2008 2:30:55 PM

bruce sg08

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Worth doing it just to say you did. As others posted, speed limit is slow, animals etc..... all true, the one thing that I remember is the lush green forest wilderness all around. But the roads are tight, not many views you can't see for any distance but a few places. A hotel in the are are almost non existance you will get off and travel a piece. We had a great trip and loved it, but when we got on the BRP omg what a difference, the roads opened up, views everywhere enjoyed that much better. If you have to pick do BRP.

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RE: skyline drive in VA - 4/1/2008 5:58:29 PM

gortel

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Rode the SLD a bunch of times. Great ride, but watch out for widelife and speeding!!

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RE: skyline drive in VA - 4/8/2008 4:11:35 PM

Chuck1

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A few of us are planning on riding the Skyline this July, either on the way down to Va. or on the way back to Ohio. About how long would it take to ride the Skyline without stopping, which I'm sure we will.

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RE: skyline drive in VA - 5/7/2008 3:35:43 PM

ShoreRider

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If you run all 105 miles from the South end to North end or vice versa it takes about 3-3.5 hours. The speed limit on Sklyline is 35, but you can push 45 at most times with no hassle from the Park LEOs.

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Post #: 14

RE: skyline drive in VA - 5/8/2008 3:30:38 AM

Chuck1

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We'll be coming down from the north and getting off near Charlottesville.

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RE: skyline drive in VA - 7/5/2008 9:58:48 PM

1Harleyrdr

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Where is this road at?

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RE: skyline drive in VA - 7/5/2008 10:01:51 PM

overhead

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It is in Virginia. \\;

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RE: skyline drive in VA - 7/6/2008 4:00:05 AM

ShoreRider

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From: Fredericksburg, VA
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quote:

ORIGINAL: 1Harleyrdr

Where is this road at?

\\;
It is part of Shenandoah National Park and runs from Front Royal Virginia all the way down to Afton Virginia

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RE: skyline drive in VA - 7/6/2008 4:24:02 AM

Chuck1

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We''re leaving next Sat. morning! \\; Hard to believe this trip is coming up already. \\; BRP sounds nicer but we wont be able to go that far south, maybe another trip.

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RE: skyline drive in VA - 7/7/2008 5:24:43 PM

Timmer

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08, check out my post from last year.http://www.hdforums.com/m_712531/tm.htm \\;We had an excellent time. Timmer

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RE: skyline drive in VA - 7/8/2008 3:39:10 AM

Chuck1

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Timmer

08, check out my post from last year.http://www.hdforums.com/m_712531/tm.htm \\;\\\\\\;We had an excellent time. Timmer

\\;
Hey, we may check out that Hampton. \\; We''re leaving Sat. from top of Ohio. \\; If we can get to Front Royal \\;by Sat. night, we''ll try to \\;stay there. \\; Depending on weather and what not, not sure how far we''ll get first day.
Great pics, thanks. \\;

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RE: skyline drive in VA - 7/8/2008 12:55:21 PM

mountian man

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Get off BRP at Rock Bridge Virginia,Get on hwy 11 and follow it about 5 miles North,It goes across I-81 ,There is a great place to stay there in Virginia.Called the Pink Catalac,Has a Pink 57 caddy parked out front.Rooms clean and cheep.Restiirant is great.They have a lot old Elvis stuff inside..Good food.Got a 40''s HD in the Restirant.I''ll stay ther again soon.

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RE: skyline drive in VA - 7/8/2008 1:33:45 PM

Merlin

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Just rode it last week.
From Front Royal to the Shennandoah Valley HD.
Stayed the night at Natural Bridge
Nice ride. Excellent scenery!

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