BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY

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BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY - 5/19/2008 6:34:11 PM

2007 Streetglide

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Joined: 5/19/2008
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Leaving this wensday from NE Ohio. i77 to 64 east over to Buena Vista.
This is my first road trip. Any advice as far was essential items to take or reccomendations where to stay, what to see or do? I have a 2007 streetglide with tourpak and backrest relocated back about 2.5", riders backrest, highway pegs and floor boards for the wife. Both of us have leather jackets and rain suits. Got a can of fix a flat, gps, map just in case gps dies, cell phone w/charger. Plan on riding as far as were comfortable then looking for a place for the night. Coming back home by Sunday. Don't know how far will get but will try to enjoy.

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RE: BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY - 5/19/2008 8:08:08 PM

KLEETEE

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Joined: 7/8/2007
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I went last summer. Its a good idea not to ride the parkway early in the morning or into the evening hours. The one day we did we saw more deer than we could count. Even got a flat spot from one if you know what I mean. We camped so I can't offer much help with where to stay. Although we did eat dinner at a place called Stations Resort. Its about the 265 mile marker. Good food and real friendly people. Think aroom was about 70 bucks. Have asafe ride and hope you have as much fun as we did!

(in reply to 2007 Streetglide)

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RE: BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY - 5/20/2008 8:31:03 AM

dv102

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Joined: 6/24/2007
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Just got back from the blue ridge on sat, You should have a nice trip. The weather seemed to change a lot on us temps were in the 40's to the 70's. So I would keep a sweatshirt to wear under your jacket if needed. Alot a fog mist in the higher elevations but nothing that would make you stop. When you get on the Parkway be sure to get a map at the visitor center so you will know where you want to get off. The roads off the parkway have a lot of twisties and elevation changes so be careful. Watch for wildlife deer turkeys and bears. We saw a bear with 2 cubs sitting on the side of the road and lots of deer and turkeys. So you need to stay alert and try not to get too distracted in the scenery. Other than that Sit back and enjoy the ride. Have a safe trip.

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RE: BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY - 5/20/2008 8:37:41 AM

jeffbarb17

Posts: 294
Joined: 11/27/2007
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As you take more and more trips you will take less and less.........the best way to travel is to wing it and finding hotels when you're ready during the day is not a problem. poi-factory to download Hd dealer locations is a good idea. We use Under Armour products for heat and cold situations because you can rinse it out at night and it will be dry for morning...as well it packs small. There are socks and underwear made with the same light material. We take a small jug of laundry detergent....a lot of motels have laundry facilities. Enjoy your travels......

Life is Great....We all Ride!!!!!!

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RE: BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY - 5/26/2008 4:56:25 AM

2007 Streetglide

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Well, made the trip. Left Wensday morning stopped in Woodsfield ohio(near Caldwell) to see the grand daughter. Left there about noon rode thru a thunderstorm betwee there and Marrietta. Put rain suits on before we left, good thing. Ran 821 to Marrieta then south on I77 all the way down to Beckley. just a little drizzle from Marrieta to Beckley. Then took 64east twords Buenna Vista. Got tired and stopped at a Hampton Inn right off 64 about 40 miles west of Buenna Vista. Nice place and people. Let me wash my bike down gave me towwels and key to use hose.

The hot tub was great. Left there about 8:30 got to Buenna vista around 10, Gassed up and hit the BRP. Nice road. very peacefull and hardly ever had anyone in front of us. Got off at Boone and had lunch. Stayed at a Holiday inn in Morganton right by 64. Took 64 west to exit 55 back on parkway all the way to end ,469 mile marker. Lunch in Cherokee then headed to Robbinsville. North on 129 road the draggon, crazy turns saw 6 cops in about 15 miles, some biker getting a ticket. Got behind a small RV on the Draggon

. WTF is this guy doing? He did pull over and let me pass. Guess he has the right to use the road too. Stopped at the Punkin Center on the north end of the draggon to buy the tee shirt 318 turns in 11 miles.
more cops on 129 just north of there. NOt a place you want want to speed. Stayed just north on Knoxville that night. Rush hour on 129 was not fun thru Knoxville. After being off the beaten path of back roads riding in traffic was kind of scarry actually. Next morning hit 75north stopped in Cincinnati to see my oldest son and his pregnant wife. Stayed with them for about 3 hours then 71 back to Medina with a stop at Farrows Harley just North of Columbs. 472 miles on Saturday. That was a little much. First long trip for me and the wife and i got to say she didn't complain a bit. I would like to go back down to that area around 129 and spend more time. The bike ran great the whole trip only failure was the highbeam headlight died. Only rode durring the day so the only issue was in the tunnels, some were a little dark in there. Glad I made the trip. Can't wait to head down that way again.

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RE: BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY - 5/26/2008 6:20:20 AM

jeffbarb17

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Joined: 11/27/2007
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Glad to hear all went well.....you pretty well hit all the hot spots. My suggestion would be to try a few different rides before you head back to the same area. There is a lot of country out there and even though the BRP is great, head west and there is a lot of great roads and people out there. Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and Montana to name a few. Head to Denver......the ride starts there. East is great too.

I am sure you learned a lot about packing, riding, hotel and when to stop for fuel.........the big rides have just begun!!!!!

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RE: BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY - 5/26/2008 3:51:09 PM

Pastor John

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Sounds like a great trip! I was too late to offer my advice of "stopping to smell the roses" and to pack an extra layer of warm clothes - it's surprising how cool it can get at those high elevations. The BRP is awesome; I'm planning an end-to-end trip for this summer!

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RE: BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY - 5/27/2008 6:16:00 AM

Harley Guy

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Joined: 12/27/2006
From: Ohio / 2004 - Heritage Softail Classic
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Glad to hear you had a BLAST.

Now - do it again, and again, and again. It is enticing.

Mrs. Harley and I will be down in the Smokies this July for a week. Wooooo Hoooo

Taking 77 down from N.E. Ohio

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RE: BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY - 5/28/2008 9:50:13 PM

stu07hd

Posts: 186
Joined: 4/19/2007
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Glad to hear you had a nice trip. I am heading there in a week and a half. Riding US 50 from Indiana to skyline drive then south to the end of the BRP. getting excited!!!!

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2007 Ultra, Vivid Black, Rush 2.0 Slip-ons, Stage 1 Download., Tallboy seat, HD highway pegs, HD adjustable fairning vents, fork baffle, more parts on the way.

(in reply to 2007 Streetglide)

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RE: BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY - 6/1/2008 7:34:51 AM

Ridewva

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Joined: 10/27/2004
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quote:

ORIGINAL: stu07hd

Glad to hear you had a nice trip. I am heading there in a week and a half. Riding US 50 from Indiana to skyline drive then south to the end of the BRP. getting excited!!!!

You're gonna have a great time! Be sure to stop at Cool Springs for a ice cream cone. It's a hardly changed since the 1960's, tourist stop, restaurant, general store, about 20 miles east of Grafton.

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RE: BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY - 6/1/2008 7:47:27 AM

ChiefGator

Posts: 1094
Joined: 2/6/2007
From: Cantonment FL
Status: offline

Sounds like you had a great trip. I cannot wait to get up there again.

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