Highway 81 trip next summer
Road Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 785
Likes: 63
From: TX
Well, I know I am going against the grain here, but if you want to get as much "Americana" as you can going down the I81 corridor, I would definitely go through the York, PA HD plant on your way down. I would also bypass the skyline drive end of the BRP, beautiful scenery, but its 35 mph and scenic overlooks every 2-3 miles.... after 15 miles, you'll be more than ready to get off... The BRP end, which starts at Afton Mountain is 45 mph, and the scenery is a little more varied- but even that gets tedious after a while behind 5 carloads of bluehairs running uphill with their brakes on in the curves...
For a nice slice of the countryside you might look at 15/340 from Frederick Md to just south of Winchester, then Rt 11 or 340 South. I would then make my way over to 42 South just below Harrisonburg, and enjoy one of the most beautiful rides in VA down as far as you want to take it. IF you want to catch the BRP, pick up Rt 460/8 around Blacksburg and take to Floyd where you can get on the Parkway, but the better parts of 42 in my opinion are between Blacksburg and I-77, you could then follow I-77 South to Fancy Gap, VA and take the Parkway south from there....
For a nice slice of the countryside you might look at 15/340 from Frederick Md to just south of Winchester, then Rt 11 or 340 South. I would then make my way over to 42 South just below Harrisonburg, and enjoy one of the most beautiful rides in VA down as far as you want to take it. IF you want to catch the BRP, pick up Rt 460/8 around Blacksburg and take to Floyd where you can get on the Parkway, but the better parts of 42 in my opinion are between Blacksburg and I-77, you could then follow I-77 South to Fancy Gap, VA and take the Parkway south from there....
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,845
Likes: 504
From: Northern WV
I have to agree with this. Being closer to DC congestion it's also more crowded. Plus, I was only on it once many many years ago, but isn't it a toll road?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 44,913
Likes: 29,897
From: PNW
Just did Skyline last June. It was $10 at the gate - a small price to pay for such an amazing ride. One might think that on a Sunday afternoon in June it would be crowded. It wasn't. In fact, I can count on one hand how many cars we had to pass (there are passing zones and pull-outs) on the entire Skyline/BRP ride.
I guess it depends on what you are looking for. While it's true that running Slyline/BRP front to back is a whole lot of the same stuff - it's pretty amazing stuff. Kind of like sleeping with a super model (or Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader, Roller Derby Queen, whatever floats yer boat) - who needs variety when you have that?
I have a Road Report in the works on this very topic. Skyline/BRP not supermodels.
I guess it depends on what you are looking for. While it's true that running Slyline/BRP front to back is a whole lot of the same stuff - it's pretty amazing stuff. Kind of like sleeping with a super model (or Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader, Roller Derby Queen, whatever floats yer boat) - who needs variety when you have that?
I have a Road Report in the works on this very topic. Skyline/BRP not supermodels.
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 184
Likes: 2
From: nova scotia canada
It sounds like the blue ridge parkway is a good road to ride but i'll definitely consider the traffic. Nothing worse than beautiful ride with bumper to bumper traffic. I didn't think of the 81 as an interstate, oversight on my part.
I'll start firming up the route in the new year. I will be asking lots of questions so anyone who's interested will be able to see what the plan is.
I'm considering riding the roads suggested until I'm close to the mississippi then following it north. It just a thought now.
pls keep the suggestions coming as I've never been to the areas I'm planning on and Google earth is only so good.
Thanks to all
I'll start firming up the route in the new year. I will be asking lots of questions so anyone who's interested will be able to see what the plan is.
I'm considering riding the roads suggested until I'm close to the mississippi then following it north. It just a thought now.
pls keep the suggestions coming as I've never been to the areas I'm planning on and Google earth is only so good.
Thanks to all
Last edited by cldiver; Dec 23, 2012 at 02:11 PM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,845
Likes: 504
From: Northern WV
I think being right there, and not having ridden the BRP before, it is one you really should do. I'm convinced it was made with motorcycles in mind.
Do a search here on BRP for lots of ride reports with pictures. It's limited access and free. Pick up one of the nice, free, National Park maps of it when you get on at the beginning. To describe it briefly the north end begins where the Skyline ends and it runs south-west almost 500 miles. Speed limit is posted 45 but 55 mph, or a bit more, is a nice speed for riding if you're paying attention. Traffic is generally sparse and there are plenty of passing places. It's often safe to pass on a solid line if the car is doodling along at 40 mph which most are. No commercial traffic is allowed on this road and there are no stop lights or signs so you can make surprisingly good time. But it's tempting to stop at a lot of the overlooks, I'm not suggesting not to. Unlike most roads it runs along the ridge, as opposed to in valleys or crossing ridges. Elevations will deviate but gradually increase from around 1,500' to 6,000' as you travel south. The scenery and road itself is generally more dramatic as you get farther south. There are many overlooks to pull off and of course you can jump off on any of the regular roads where it crosses over them for gas, food, and lodging. There are two (at least) motorcycle only campgrounds just a short distance off the BRP, Willville and Blue Ridge Motorcycle Campground, both have websites.
Do a search here on BRP for lots of ride reports with pictures. It's limited access and free. Pick up one of the nice, free, National Park maps of it when you get on at the beginning. To describe it briefly the north end begins where the Skyline ends and it runs south-west almost 500 miles. Speed limit is posted 45 but 55 mph, or a bit more, is a nice speed for riding if you're paying attention. Traffic is generally sparse and there are plenty of passing places. It's often safe to pass on a solid line if the car is doodling along at 40 mph which most are. No commercial traffic is allowed on this road and there are no stop lights or signs so you can make surprisingly good time. But it's tempting to stop at a lot of the overlooks, I'm not suggesting not to. Unlike most roads it runs along the ridge, as opposed to in valleys or crossing ridges. Elevations will deviate but gradually increase from around 1,500' to 6,000' as you travel south. The scenery and road itself is generally more dramatic as you get farther south. There are many overlooks to pull off and of course you can jump off on any of the regular roads where it crosses over them for gas, food, and lodging. There are two (at least) motorcycle only campgrounds just a short distance off the BRP, Willville and Blue Ridge Motorcycle Campground, both have websites.
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 184
Likes: 2
From: nova scotia canada
Wow..ridewva and rubber frog....I'm sold. I will definitely consider it as my main route south.
I'm not really limited time wise, 2 or 3 weeks available. I rode across canada and back in 2 weeks last year so i know I can ride all day and enjoy it.
I will research it tonite to figure out what is the best place for me to get on it and how far south I'll go before I turn west.
This is a naive question....are there areas I should avoid for high crime or problem bike clubs
I'm not really limited time wise, 2 or 3 weeks available. I rode across canada and back in 2 weeks last year so i know I can ride all day and enjoy it.
I will research it tonite to figure out what is the best place for me to get on it and how far south I'll go before I turn west.
This is a naive question....are there areas I should avoid for high crime or problem bike clubs
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public
Verdad Gallardo
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
4th Gear
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
BRPW will take you through some awsome areas. Plan on riding the Diamondback as it is on your way. It has some very technical turns and makes a loop so you can jump right back on the parkway. Check out Mt Mitchell as you will be right by it. Continue on to Deal Gap. After the Dragon, check out the Moonshiners run. It is like the Dragon, just a lot more sceenery and less crowded. I also enjoy riding over to Cherokee Reservation area. Take a look at Bridal Falls while in the area. Truely fantastic sights.
The area is very bike friendly. There are a few 1% clubs in the area, but they do not tend to make trouble for riders. In fact, they have helped me out before. I have grown up going to these areas, and am not really aware of any real issues. Just realize, a lot of folk in the area are private.
The area is very bike friendly. There are a few 1% clubs in the area, but they do not tend to make trouble for riders. In fact, they have helped me out before. I have grown up going to these areas, and am not really aware of any real issues. Just realize, a lot of folk in the area are private.
Last edited by SusanDW; Dec 24, 2012 at 06:29 PM.
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 184
Likes: 2
From: nova scotia canada
Thanks for the info Susan DW. I'll definitely be riding the parkway. I just have to figure out how I want to get there and then what I'll do after. I thinking of riding to the Mississippi then north complete a big loop back to Maine then home.
Two places I would really like to incorporate into the trip are the Harley Museum in Milwaukee and the VietNam memorial in DC.
Most likely I'll leave home at the end of Jun to get more time off.
Thank you all for the info.
Two places I would really like to incorporate into the trip are the Harley Museum in Milwaukee and the VietNam memorial in DC.
Most likely I'll leave home at the end of Jun to get more time off.
Thank you all for the info.