The Trip is Planned
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 730
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From: Maryland
The Trip is Planned
So I have mapped out the trip my wife and I plan to take the end of June. Starting on the Eastern Shore of Md and taking the Blue Ridge all the way down to Cherokee, NC then going over to Robbinsville doing the Tail of the Dragon – Cherohala Skyway loop and then heading back home. We are planning to leave on a Friday afternoon stay around Afton then start the BRP on Saturday. I mapped out getting to around Floyd, VA on Saturday, getting to Little Switzerland on Sunday and Robbinsville on Monday. Doing the loop on Tuesday then starting to head back home on Wednesday hitting the Wheels of Time planning on getting home Saturday sometime. So I am looking at 1532 miles in what amounts to 9 days. For those who have done a similar trip, this is not too ambitious is it? We did the BRP from Afton to Grandfather Mountain a few years ago and had we planned one more day we could have gotten to Cherokee. We really took our time and planned out our overnights and the ride from Roanoke, VA to Mount Airy was too short of a riding day, we could have made it to Blowing Rock for sure for that leg of the trip. Thoughts?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,314
Likes: 31
From: Eastern PA
I'm jealous, I must get something schedueled...ambitious I don't think so, east is so different than riding out west...so more relaxing this trip will be. If you stop at every turn on the parkway you may get alittle anxious as the day goes on.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,159
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From: NC
Looks like a great ride. May I suggest one little side trip since you will be right there anyway in Little Switzerland. That is the Diamondback Loop http://www.diamondbacknc.com/db_loop_route.html
It consist of Hwy 226A(Diamondback), Hwy 80(Devil's Whip)http://www.thedevilnc80.com/ and part of the BRP. Only approximately 30 miles long but well worth it. Nice little warm up for the Tail of the Dragon.
Some pics of me and my daughter riding The Devil's Whip in April pics 287-297 http://blindkenny.photoreflect.com/s...&po=285&pc=324
A place to stop and recharge and grab a bite just off the BRP is Freebornes at Hwy 18 S Laurel Springs, Mile Post 248 drop off the BRP and turn right if heading South it will be on your left. Another good place is Rap's at Mile Post 193.5.
Also run up to Mount Mitchell. It is a nice mile up ride and there are restrooms and snacks at the station as there is nothing else around that stretch you may want to make that pit stop and the scenery from the tower is great on a clear day.
It consist of Hwy 226A(Diamondback), Hwy 80(Devil's Whip)http://www.thedevilnc80.com/ and part of the BRP. Only approximately 30 miles long but well worth it. Nice little warm up for the Tail of the Dragon.
Some pics of me and my daughter riding The Devil's Whip in April pics 287-297 http://blindkenny.photoreflect.com/s...&po=285&pc=324
A place to stop and recharge and grab a bite just off the BRP is Freebornes at Hwy 18 S Laurel Springs, Mile Post 248 drop off the BRP and turn right if heading South it will be on your left. Another good place is Rap's at Mile Post 193.5.
Also run up to Mount Mitchell. It is a nice mile up ride and there are restrooms and snacks at the station as there is nothing else around that stretch you may want to make that pit stop and the scenery from the tower is great on a clear day.
Last edited by Nabubba; May 8, 2012 at 03:25 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,097
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From: USA
When I plan trips I ride 300 to 500 miles per day depending on the type of road I will be riding on, road vs freeway.
Sounds like a great relaxing trip!
I'm jealous too, sounds sweet!
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
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From: Flatwoods Kentucky
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Joe Kucinski
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,832
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From: Coastal Carolina
Not too ambitious. Sounds easily manageable. I did 1200 miles in 5 days on state and US roads (no interstates). Remember though that the speed limit on the BRP is never higher than 45, so you won't be putting miles behind you quickly. If you do what another poster suggested and swing west to include Skyline Drive (which feeds into the BRP), the speed limit there is 35, so take that into account.
I see your route back includes the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. I've always wanted to ride that, but when I had my Sporty with a narrow front tire, I avoided it because I understand part of the bridge is still metal grating which likes to grab and shake skinny tires. Have you ridden that part before?
ENJOY!
I see your route back includes the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. I've always wanted to ride that, but when I had my Sporty with a narrow front tire, I avoided it because I understand part of the bridge is still metal grating which likes to grab and shake skinny tires. Have you ridden that part before?
ENJOY!
Last edited by TKDKurt; May 8, 2012 at 03:40 PM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,013
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From: Albuquerque New Mexico
All depends on what your style of riding is. 1532 miles in 9 days is only 170 miles per day which is only about 2.5 to 4 hours of riding. It will be a very slow relaxed pace.
When I plan trips I ride 300 to 500 miles per day depending on the type of road I will be riding on, road vs freeway.
Sounds like a great relaxing trip!
When I plan trips I ride 300 to 500 miles per day depending on the type of road I will be riding on, road vs freeway.
Sounds like a great relaxing trip!