Blue Ridge Parkway - looking for pointers
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
From: Shrewsbury, PA
Wow, the mrs and I are heading down that way. We are leaving on sept 28th looking forward to seeing a lot of the things you all have mentioned. We are then heading down to New Orleans across to Flordia then up the coast and back home. all told around 3200 miles in 20 days.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,351
Likes: 461
From: Illinois
I was actually a litlle bit disappointed with Grandfather mountain. I wan't expecting a $15 charge, but thought it would be worth if from all the great reviews it had recieved.
It was nice, but the switchbacks weren't any steeper than many other roads in the area, the view is great, but not really any better or different than the other mountains in the area.
Walking across the swinging bridge at the top was great. I was the only one on the mountain the morning I was there. I had to wait a few minutes for them to open.
I am not putting Grandfather mountain down. It was nice and I am very glad I went, it just wasn't as great as I had in mind after reading all the reviews.
Dennis
It was nice, but the switchbacks weren't any steeper than many other roads in the area, the view is great, but not really any better or different than the other mountains in the area.
Walking across the swinging bridge at the top was great. I was the only one on the mountain the morning I was there. I had to wait a few minutes for them to open.
I am not putting Grandfather mountain down. It was nice and I am very glad I went, it just wasn't as great as I had in mind after reading all the reviews.
Dennis
Make sure you take a detour at MM165 to Floyd, VA, especially if you're in the area on any Friday night. The town has an old-timey appalachian music thing at the Floyd Country Store. It's the real deal where four or five bands will show up and do sets of music. It ain't the kind of crap you'd see at Dollywood. some of these guys look like they just came creepin' outta the woods just to play for an hour and then disappear back up into the hills. There ain't no alcohol served at the store, but the last time I was there there was like a second jam going on out behind the store and folks were gettin' good and lubricated back there! I may be taking a Skyline Drive, Blue Ridge Parkway tour from central Maryland in mid to late June, and may be looking to join up with others if anyone's interested.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,159
Likes: 0
From: NC
I stayed at the inn three weeks ago, in the DiamondBack bunkhouse. It was $70 abouts including taxes - then. Make your reservation in advance and follow up to make sure that they got it. The Diamond back is 226A, fun ride, but honestly the hills up there are full of roads like this. The Little Switzerland Inn has a good web site. I thought the food was very good at the restaurant and there is a hopping bar there too.
You have to wear a helmet in NC and VA.
A cool place to visit with many good places to eat.
A nice place to stop is at Freebornes Eatery and Lodge at milepost 248 NC Hwy 18. Use to be another place there called Station's Inn but they closed up. Enjoy your ride and thanks for coming to NC
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,159
Likes: 0
From: NC
If you want something different for a stop and walk around check out the Emerald Village just down the road from Little Switzerland. http://www.emeraldvillage.com/
Nice ride over to it too...lol
Nice ride over to it too...lol
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,016
Likes: 277
From: East Tn Foot of The Dragon
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 139
Likes: 1
Isnt there a hotel that is biker friendly and has a bar? I remember passing it but remember the name.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,788
Likes: 1
From: Maine
That would be the Diamondback Hwy 226A Great road. Here is the link to the Diamondback Loop http://diamondbacknc.com/db_loop_route.html
Hope you rode the Diamondback and Devil's Whip Hwy 80 http://www.thedevilnc80.com/
-edit-
Hope you rode the Diamondback and Devil's Whip Hwy 80 http://www.thedevilnc80.com/
-edit-
Spent Fri. & Sat. riding the BRP. Absolutely fantastic ride.
Stayed Fri. night in Spruce Pines NC in the Pine Valley Motel.
Very comfortable,park right outside your door.We didn't do
side trips,we mostly just rode.Definitely watch for bikes &
wildlife.Keep long sleeves handy.Keep your camera handy.
One of the most enjoyable trips we have ever taken.Next
time we plan on staying in the area at least a week.So many
places to stop & things to do.Enjoy the ride.
Stayed Fri. night in Spruce Pines NC in the Pine Valley Motel.
Very comfortable,park right outside your door.We didn't do
side trips,we mostly just rode.Definitely watch for bikes &
wildlife.Keep long sleeves handy.Keep your camera handy.
One of the most enjoyable trips we have ever taken.Next
time we plan on staying in the area at least a week.So many
places to stop & things to do.Enjoy the ride.