Blue Ridge trip
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 282
Likes: 42
From: Pennsylvania
I did half of the parkway with my 13yr old son 2yrs ago. Came down from Pennsylvania and stayed the night at a camp ground in Front Royal Virginia, Got on the beggining of Sky line drive early in the a.m., made it half way down the parkway that day. Second day we got to Hickory N.C. to check out a couple Nascar shops, left there and jumped on Rt. 64 and went to the outerbanks for their bike week, Cape Hatteras is worth seeing also. Came back up Rt. 17 and crossed the cheasapeak bay bridge to come back north.
If you have a AAA membership, they have maps for the parkway and your card will get you discounts on the trip. We over packed with sleeping bags ect. and I would say for the trouble its worth just staying at acheaper motel is easier than doing the camping thing. The parkway speed limit is like 35mph, I thought that would be a problem until we started riding on the road, the views are great and can only be described as "You have to see it for yourself". Dont miss the Natural bridge, its about a 1.5hr stop and also worth seeing. There are tons of pull offs with walking trails ect., bring film or alot of batteries for a digital camera.
If you have a AAA membership, they have maps for the parkway and your card will get you discounts on the trip. We over packed with sleeping bags ect. and I would say for the trouble its worth just staying at acheaper motel is easier than doing the camping thing. The parkway speed limit is like 35mph, I thought that would be a problem until we started riding on the road, the views are great and can only be described as "You have to see it for yourself". Dont miss the Natural bridge, its about a 1.5hr stop and also worth seeing. There are tons of pull offs with walking trails ect., bring film or alot of batteries for a digital camera.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
In the last ten years I have done this trip several times by myself and with my kids.camped and stayed at the cheaper motels.It is a 5 hour ride for me to get to Waynsport from NJ.I love it and can not wait to go again this year on my new Ultra! I am going to camp the entire time.It is one of the best things the Government has ever done!!!!
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 8,750
Likes: 261
From: back home in Michigan
Funny this subj came up. We are planning to ride the BRS in Va in June.From somewhere near where 33 crosses it and going north on up into Pa. Its about 6 hrs or so from here in Circleville. Trying to make this a 2 weeker, having stopovers here and there. Maybe Williamsburg Va, Gettysburg Pa, and a place in Pa where I went to school as a kid, New Bloomfield Pa. But all this talk about the NC portion makes me wonder maybe about heading south.....and I totally agree with staying out of the Cherokee Park part of the Smokeys as well as Gatlinburg.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
From: Concord NC
Ck out this thread: https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touring-models/305292-planning-a-smokies-trip.html
lots of good info there.
lots of good info there.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 752
Likes: 0
From: nc mountains
The camp ground around boone is Rider's Roost and its at fergison nc and this place is a old timers bikers camp ground, abit remote but the real thing. It does not matter which way you ride the BR, There has been (by-passes) on it for the last several years and probably will be in the future but come on and enjoy it. Go to carolina motorcycle events site for what might be going on while here or just basic info. Buy a NC atlas and gazzete from a wallyworld. Best maps around and show all the roads. There are some great place to stay for sure. A motel stay at stations inn during the week is possible but weekends is typicaly booked. Thats the same basic area as riders roost. Switzerland inn west of Sprue Pine is a motorcucle friendly inn on the BR but $$$. Pine inn in sprue pine is good very clean and only a 5 minute ride from the BR and burnsville is a bike friendly town with a couple nice motels in it and on the currant by-pass route from asheville and mt.mitchell. Everthing is close by. Most places riders go now that Wheel though time has left are just tourist traps so come only for the ride . There are some great roads up through the valleys of tenn but the gat/piegon area is a pain on the weekends. Off H-70 in tenn between hotsprings nc and newport tenn there is Barrbarosa's and reastraunt/ camp ground that also is a stand out. I live up above asheville and can help with back roads and places if needed.
1st Gear
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Johnson City, TN
The camp ground around boone is Rider's Roost and its at fergison nc and this place is a old timers bikers camp ground, abit remote but the real thing. It does not matter which way you ride the BR, There has been (by-passes) on it for the last several years and probably will be in the future but come on and enjoy it. Go to carolina motorcycle events site for what might be going on while here or just basic info. Buy a NC atlas and gazzete from a wallyworld. Best maps around and show all the roads. There are some great place to stay for sure. A motel stay at stations inn during the week is possible but weekends is typicaly booked. Thats the same basic area as riders roost. Switzerland inn west of Sprue Pine is a motorcucle friendly inn on the BR but $$$. Pine inn in sprue pine is good very clean and only a 5 minute ride from the BR and burnsville is a bike friendly town with a couple nice motels in it and on the currant by-pass route from asheville and mt.mitchell. Everthing is close by. Most places riders go now that Wheel though time has left are just tourist traps so come only for the ride . There are some great roads up through the valleys of tenn but the gat/piegon area is a pain on the weekends. Off H-70 in tenn between hotsprings nc and newport tenn there is Barrbarosa's and reastraunt/ camp ground that also is a stand out. I live up above asheville and can help with back roads and places if needed.
But check out www.Madmaps.com these are about the best routes for first visits because you dont want to miss the Foothills pkwy, Deals Gap, Blue Ridge Pkwy, Cheroahala Skyway, and Cades Cove just name a few.
Jeff
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Advanced
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: South Carolina
I did Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway last year with friends. What a great trip. You need to pay to travel the Skyline Drive but the Parkway is free. Watch for wildlife you will see deer and bear. I also ran across a family of ducks crossing the road. Watch your fuel because there isn't much on the Parkway. If you are doing the entire Parkway you might want to do the Tail of the Dragon and the Cherohala Skyway. The Dagon is 318 turn in 11 miles and a very popular ride, the Skyway isn't quite as busy but well worth the time.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 8,750
Likes: 261
From: back home in Michigan
Yep, just mapped doing the BRP. Start at Fancy Gap. Va and on to Cherokee. Shows it to be about 8.5 hrs. Anyone done that stretch? Was wondering what real time was for stops and goes....
Last edited by glideridemike; Jan 12, 2009 at 08:57 AM.