Blue Ridge trip
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Blue Ridge trip
I am planning a Blue Ridge Parkway trip in conjunction with Memorial Day weekend Rolling Thunder. Specifically, I am curious about fantastic places to stay, route "must-see's" and opinions on whether it is better to do the parkway from North to South or vice-versa.
Additional info: I live in Maine, lots of experience on roads between Portland and Skyline Drive; my bike has never seen North Carolina or Tennessee. I am considering tenting a few nights, riding the Dragon and letting my soul grow a lot.
So, if you may have a suggestion or a strong opinion on motels, campgrounds or traffic tendencies... I welcome your input. Especially great breakfast or merely fantastic coffee.
God Bless...
Additional info: I live in Maine, lots of experience on roads between Portland and Skyline Drive; my bike has never seen North Carolina or Tennessee. I am considering tenting a few nights, riding the Dragon and letting my soul grow a lot.
So, if you may have a suggestion or a strong opinion on motels, campgrounds or traffic tendencies... I welcome your input. Especially great breakfast or merely fantastic coffee.
God Bless...
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,789
Likes: 9
From: Double Oak, Texas
In the Dragon area, I am partial to the Kickstand Lodge in Stecoah, NC. Really motorcycle friendly, clean campground, CLEANheads, a beautiful spot right in the center of thousands of square miles of motorcycle nirvana, both on and offroad.
http://www.kickstandlodge.com/
http://www.kickstandlodge.com/
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
There is a nice biker resort at Little Switzerland, NC. Also, Stations Inn at Laurel Springs, NC is awesome.. Bands and bikes all weekend. You can also google, "blue ridge parkway", they have their own website. The best part of the parkway in my opinion is from Asheville, NC to Cherokee, NC., which is where the parkway ends if you are coming from Virginia...Virginia is nice too, but is more rolling hills and small mountains and plenty of farmlands, once you cross into North Carolina though, you will think you died and went to heavean!! very, very nice. Have fun!
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 765
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte NC
Visit this site. Also check the links.
http://www.dealsgap.com/
and this one
http://www.tailofthedragon.com/
http://www.dealsgap.com/
and this one
http://www.tailofthedragon.com/
Last edited by PnDegc; Jan 10, 2009 at 09:37 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 765
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From: Charlotte NC
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Intermediate
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 41
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From:
camping
Biker's Roost near Boone, NC and Blue Ridge Motorcycle campground in Cruso, NC offer very good camping and good access to parkway. For a room with a view get an early reservation at the Mount Pisgah State Lodge. Rocking chairs for every room's porch.
If you ride the dragon go on to TWO in Suches, GA for more great camping or a room, lots of different bikes from all over the southeast and terrific riding in NE Georgia.
Be careful with your speeds on the Parkway, no breaks from the fuzz.
Take an hour or more every day to pull off and walk into the woods for the quiet. Good hiking from the Pisgah lodge. The top of Mt. Mitchell is the tallest east of the Mississippi but the road is two lane paved.
Avoid at all costs Gatlinburg. You and your motor will melt in the traffic, such a tourist trap.
Cherokee, at the southern end of the parkway is also a touristy and boring stop.
Above all, stay off the straight roads which are usually at lower altitude and much hotter in the summer.
If you ride the dragon go on to TWO in Suches, GA for more great camping or a room, lots of different bikes from all over the southeast and terrific riding in NE Georgia.
Be careful with your speeds on the Parkway, no breaks from the fuzz.
Take an hour or more every day to pull off and walk into the woods for the quiet. Good hiking from the Pisgah lodge. The top of Mt. Mitchell is the tallest east of the Mississippi but the road is two lane paved.
Avoid at all costs Gatlinburg. You and your motor will melt in the traffic, such a tourist trap.
Cherokee, at the southern end of the parkway is also a touristy and boring stop.
Above all, stay off the straight roads which are usually at lower altitude and much hotter in the summer.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,842
Likes: 502
From: Northern WV
amerseth, Pick up a BRP National Park map (or send for one) you'll find it very helpful. Points of interest and intersections are marked and the BRP has a mile marker every mile so you always know where you are.
If it fits with your schedule, Willville www.willvillebikecamp.com/ is located a mile north on Rt 58, which is at mile marker 177, Meadows of Dan. It's a delightful motorcycle campground thats clean as a pin.
If it fits with your schedule, Willville www.willvillebikecamp.com/ is located a mile north on Rt 58, which is at mile marker 177, Meadows of Dan. It's a delightful motorcycle campground thats clean as a pin.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,380
Likes: 14
From: Atlanta
The BRP and Skyline Drive are superb! I recommend traveling from North to South since you are coming down from Maine - the maps and guidebooks are generally laid out in that order since Milepost 0 is on the north end. Nye Simmons' book "Best of the Blue Ridge Parkway" is a great resource and I recommend it highly.
I recently rode the whole Parkway from north to south, and you might find some useful resources on my blog of the trip: Blue Ridge Parkway Blog
I recently rode the whole Parkway from north to south, and you might find some useful resources on my blog of the trip: Blue Ridge Parkway Blog