Blue Ridge Parkway
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Blue Ridge Parkway - 3/26/2008 5:54:39 PM
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DFTL20
Posts: 104
Joined: 1/11/2006
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I need some feedback from the group. I plan on meeting my old man in June on the Blue Ridge Parkway. I have been riding for about 15 years and he finally bought his first bike last November. Because he is building his skills (retired riding everyday) is the BRP a good ride for a beginner? We have chosen the the BRP because he is in GA and I am in VA. Boone NC is the best meeting point for us. We are looking to ride for three days. If the BRP is not a good route for a beginner any suggestions for the part of NC would be helpful. Thanks for the tips.
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RE: Blue Ridge Parkway - 3/26/2008 6:40:55 PM
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Watkinst
Posts: 64
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BPR is not a bad place for a beginner. The posted speed limit is 45 mph and most of the Parkway is sweeping turns. Most of my travels have been in VA to include the Skyline Drive and Waynesboro to Bristol. However I have ventured into NC and Boone is pretty decent also. There's a nice little motel, biker hang out just off the parkway near Boone that's worth a visit. I would not recommend the Tale of the Dragon (Deals Gap NC), for a beginner. It will definately test even the most experienced rider. Other than that, be safe and have fun...
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RE: Blue Ridge Parkway - 3/26/2008 10:25:51 PM
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Philt
Posts: 1061
Joined: 1/26/2006
From: East Central Missouri
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My wife and I and several friends rode part of it last year and we loved it. There really isn't anything hard about it. If you can ride at all I would feel confident. You need to check out this though. I heard there was a rock slide somewhere and that part of the BRP is closed for all of 2008. Somewhere around Asheville I think.
Phil
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RE: Blue Ridge Parkway - 3/26/2008 10:36:13 PM
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xxxflhrci
Posts: 5797
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You may want to check the Stations Inn for a place to meet and stay. It is on the BRP not far from Boone. Sunday is the big biker day there. They have a live band and bikes coming and going all afternoon.
http://stationsinn.com/
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RE: Blue Ridge Parkway - 3/27/2008 4:21:33 AM
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RMBLON
Posts: 525
Joined: 7/15/2007
From: Baton Rouge, La.
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The Parkway itself is a good ride, but be careful on which way you get on it and off it. Some of the exits are extreamly twisty, they would make The Dragon's Tail look like child's play.
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Got no time to for spreadin roots, The time has come to be gone. And to our health we drank a thousand times, Its time to ramble on.... L.Zep!!!
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RE: Blue Ridge Parkway - 3/27/2008 10:18:54 PM
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skootchnc
Posts: 381
Joined: 1/30/2008
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the BRP is proof God is a motorcyclist......great road, very easy to ride.... BUT don't get suckered into thinking you can twist the throttle a bit more after you've been on it for a while. The road will easily let you run 75-8 with no problems except 2.... one is in a little white pick up truck, that will give you an expensive FEDERAL speeding ticket.... and the other is that nice couple in a Winnebage half way around the next curve, taking pictures instead of driving
The tunnels can cause some people trouble as you'll be in brillant sunshine one moment, then total darkness the next....
While enjoying the BRP, head south towards Robbinsville. the Nantahala, the Cherahola , and foot hills parkway are more great roads to ride. there's no reason you and your father can't ride the dragon (US-129) but do it Tuesday through Thursday as early as you can... it's pretty thrilling 318 curves in 11 miles just avoid it on week ends and afternoons....the other motorcyclists are far more dangerous than the road is.
Should your travels take you north from Boone.... take in the light show at Star Mountain (Roanoke VA) and plan on spending a day at Natural Bridge (Lynchburg VA area). If you or your dad are vets, while in that area, at peaks of Otter, head south on VA-43 to Bedford VA. Home of the D-Day memorial.... another afternoon well spent
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RE: Blue Ridge Parkway - 3/27/2008 11:06:10 PM
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chappy
Posts: 1128
Joined: 1/19/2006
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two things;
1, if you're going to be in Boone, NC, you got to eat a steak at http://www.peddlerofboone.com/
Once you sit down, they will roll a table with a hugh piece of steak on it right over to you and ask how thick you want the steak, then how you want it cooked. Best Around, I make a point of eating there every time I ride the BRP. Some, infact it's become a tradition to loop around and eat there at least twice during a BRP ride. I usually stay right across the street at the (it's either a Hampton Inn or Holiday Inn Express) and if it's before Memorial Day the rooms are around 50 to 60 bucks 2 queen beds. There's a washer and dryer right on site as well. Good continental breakfast also.
Boone is only about 5 miles off the BRP and the little artisan town of Blowing Rock is a nice place to visit right there where you get off the BRP to go to Boone. Great place for an ice crean (hand made) and waffle cones and an elevated park across the street to sit on a bench and watch the world go by while you enjoy a good ice cream. Lots of little shops that my wife like to go in and lots of nice benches to sit on while my wife goes into the shops too.
and 2, here's a message that was sent to me recently;
Thought this would interest you: A rockslide has damaged a section of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The 20-mile section from Bull Gap (Mile Post 375) to Mount Mitchell (Mile Post 355) is likely to remain closed through the 2008 riding season. Detours around this section are tricky. For detour information and current riding conditions in the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains, SORRY THE LINK DIDN"T WORK (thanks Philt) Enjoy the memories you guys have and take your time and smell the rhododendrons and magnolias that line the BRP (if they're in bloom). Watch out for the deer, bear and snakes. Try to check out Maggie Valley and don't miss Wheels Thru Time Harley Davidson Museam, it'll be the best 10 bucks you ever spent.chappy
Oh ya, they do like you to where your helmets on the Skyline Parkway.
< Message edited by chappy -- 3/27/2008 11:24:33 PM >
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RE: Blue Ridge Parkway - 3/27/2008 11:19:52 PM
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Philt
Posts: 1061
Joined: 1/26/2006
From: East Central Missouri
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The link above doesn't work. About the Wheels of Time Museum, if you are going after the first of May you better check with them to see when they are open. After May 1 they are only open on a limited basis as they are going to be moving somewhere. I think they are closed for good after August or September. I heard they were going to have an Auction to sell some of their stuff.
Phil
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RE: Blue Ridge Parkway - 3/27/2008 11:30:33 PM
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chappy
Posts: 1128
Joined: 1/19/2006
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Hi Philt,
Thanks for the heads up that the link didn't work, I took it out of the message.
Man, I hope the rummor of Dale selling some of his collection turns out wrong. I did hear that he was moving also. Seems his town doesn't understand the commerce that us biker types bring into that town. Oh well, some folks never understand!
chappy
quote:
ORIGINAL: Philt
The link above doesn't work. About the Wheels of Time Museum, if you are going after the first of May you better check with them to see when they are open. After May 1 they are only open on a limited basis as they are going to be moving somewhere. I think they are closed for good after August or September. I heard they were going to have an Auction to sell some of their stuff.
Phil
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RE: Blue Ridge Parkway - 3/28/2008 2:00:22 AM
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Delta
Posts: 37
Joined: 6/19/2006
From: New Hampshire
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I had forgotten about that photo. Still can't believe you took that pic while the Federal Ranger was checking our paperwork. Whatdayamean I gots to wear a helmet. BTW the BRP link is http://www.motorcycleadventuremap.com/Rdcd.html
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RE: Blue Ridge Parkway - 3/28/2008 6:16:41 PM
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chappy
Posts: 1128
Joined: 1/19/2006
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Thanks for the link Delta,
Yup, that was a great day on two wheels.
Glad I was able to remind you of the great breaking of the helmet law!! lol
chappy
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RE: Blue Ridge Parkway - 3/29/2008 12:01:23 AM
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scarygt
Posts: 463
Joined: 12/3/2006
From: Ohio
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The blue ridge is a nice easy ride.. just go the speed limit and pay attention for dear or other citters. You'll both love the trip. Post some pics once you get back.
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RE: Blue Ridge Parkway - 3/29/2008 10:03:41 AM
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Philt
Posts: 1061
Joined: 1/26/2006
From: East Central Missouri
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quote:
ORIGINAL: chappy
Hi Philt,
Thanks for the heads up that the link didn't work, I took it out of the message.
Man, I hope the rummor of Dale selling some of his collection turns out wrong. I did hear that he was moving also. Seems his town doesn't understand the commerce that us biker types bring into that town. Oh well, some folks never understand!
chappy
quote:
ORIGINAL: Philt
The link above doesn't work. About the Wheels of Time Museum, if you are going after the first of May you better check with them to see when they are open. After May 1 they are only open on a limited basis as they are going to be moving somewhere. I think they are closed for good after August or September. I heard they were going to have an Auction to sell some of their stuff.
Phil
It's not a rumor about the auction. They have a date set. Sept 25-27. You can read about it on their website. They still don't say where they are going, but I read somewhere that it might be Texas.
Phil
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Gray Haired Bikers don't get that way from luck!
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RE: Blue Ridge Parkway - 3/29/2008 5:40:28 PM
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cosmo glider
Posts: 2352
Joined: 2/15/2006
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BRP is fine for a beginner. Imo most mishaps occur b/c people are distracted by the scenery. Watch where you're going.
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