Lorton to Front Royal
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 347
Likes: 12
From: Palm Bay
Lorton to Front Royal
The beginning of my upcoming trip will be from Lorton, Va to Front Royal. Avoiding Highways is it more scenic to take a northern route on 50 or arrive from the south.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 44,849
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From: PNW
Awesome! Looking forward to this. Cheryl and I are planning a trip out to DC, and then doubling back (probably on the same route you're taking) and running Skyline down to the BRP. That will be this years east coast trip.
What route will you take?
What route will you take?
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 347
Likes: 12
From: Palm Bay
First of all I hope you will be quicker about writing about it this time. 
My friend and I will be catching the Autotrain out of Sanford, Fl. to Lorton. We will do both the Skyway and BRP. Then we will mess around on the Dragon etc. We will the head home. Not sure whether we will head through the middle of Ga into Fl or head to Savannah and come down the coast.
My friend and I will be catching the Autotrain out of Sanford, Fl. to Lorton. We will do both the Skyway and BRP. Then we will mess around on the Dragon etc. We will the head home. Not sure whether we will head through the middle of Ga into Fl or head to Savannah and come down the coast.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,524
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From: Maryland
I'm debating between two different trips late June. One is out to KY for a Bourbon tour. The other is the BRP down to the Dragon. Has anyone taken the BRP all the way and know how long it would actually take. Not the easiest route to figure.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,752
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From: Indianapolis, IN
Just so happens we are planning a similar trip back from DC. After attending the Ride to the Wall festivities over Memorial Day weekend we plan to ride back through Virgina, NC, WV, and KY. We are starting out at Fredericksburg after our DC visit, to see relatives and then heading over to the beginning of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Besides giving the women time to shop in Blowing Rock and Boone, we will be hitting 3 great riding roads, "The Snake", "The Diamondback", and the "Back of the Dragon". Plan to ride up to New River Gorge Bridge area as well. Also hit the Red River Gorge area in KY. Here is the plan I came up with the help of our fellow forum members.
http://rideplanner.harley-davidson.c...0&locale=en_US
Click on "View and Edit Ride Plan", and then zoom in for details.
http://rideplanner.harley-davidson.c...0&locale=en_US
Click on "View and Edit Ride Plan", and then zoom in for details.
Last edited by Ozoneman; Mar 4, 2012 at 11:46 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 916
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From: NoVA
Mike, 50 is loaded with traffic and lights until your west of 15. Then you would take it to 522 south in Winchester or 340 in Boyce to Front Royal. I would really skip it, bite the bullet and take 123 or 234 to I-66 west. Exit 6 for Front Royal Rt. 340 to Skyline. It's less than an hour of interstate unless it's rush hour, in which case your screwed. Picking up Rt. 55 would be a nice way out. It runs parallel to I-66 just west of 234 & Manassas. It's hard to find on a map because they are so close together.
Dew, Skyline and the BRP to Cherokee can be made in two days from about anywhere in Maryland. Front Royal to Chreokee is 574 miles. I would allow three. Depending on weather, fog can slow you way down. Sometimes you just have to leave the BRP and take side roads at a lower altitude. When you can only see 50 feet in front of you it's time to bail.
Dew, Skyline and the BRP to Cherokee can be made in two days from about anywhere in Maryland. Front Royal to Chreokee is 574 miles. I would allow three. Depending on weather, fog can slow you way down. Sometimes you just have to leave the BRP and take side roads at a lower altitude. When you can only see 50 feet in front of you it's time to bail.
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Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Maryland
Sweet! Thanks Buz! I'm up 15 about 5-10 minutes over the VA line. I can get down 15 to 66 in less than an hour.
50 feet of vis!? Holy crap!
50 feet of vis!? Holy crap!
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
From: Palm Bay, Florida
I and my wife did this trip last labor day week and plan to do it again this year. We took 2 1/2 days to do the Skyline drive/Blue Ridge Parkway each way with that last haf day getting to and from our start point in NorthEast Maryland to Front Royal. We overnighted in Waynesboro, VA and Sparta GA and then spent 4 nights in Cherokee, NC riding the roads. You can check out our route here http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=...a60b977b&msa=0. This is a great ride and you will enjoy it. Just take your time and see the beauty. Always something new around the bend. As for weather, we had one day where the fog and rain got so bad, we just decided after 2 hours enough was enough and found a place to stay. The other 9 days of our trip were just gorgeous. Enjoy the ride
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 916
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From: NoVA
Dew, Your golden for a two day run if you want. Take 340 all the way to Skyline. It's a left turn off 340 just south of Front Royal. If looking for a cheap motel try the Country View Inn in Fancy Gap. 230 Pottery Dr. $32.
That will be about a 350 mile day for you. The next day would be about 265 if going to Cherokee/Maggie Valley. A cheap motel in Maggie is the Applecover $35.
Skyline is a major pain on weekends. Even on weekdays I try to be on it by 7AM. I like to make a breakfast stop at Big Meadows about mm50.
I like to put the bigger miles on the first day. The southern section is a lot more scenic. You will stop alot more down south.
That will be about a 350 mile day for you. The next day would be about 265 if going to Cherokee/Maggie Valley. A cheap motel in Maggie is the Applecover $35.
Skyline is a major pain on weekends. Even on weekdays I try to be on it by 7AM. I like to make a breakfast stop at Big Meadows about mm50.
I like to put the bigger miles on the first day. The southern section is a lot more scenic. You will stop alot more down south.