NC roads
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: Florida/North Carolina
here is a little video of hwy 66 from 268 south.
http://www.vimeo.com/4035681
http://www.vimeo.com/4035681
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,620
Likes: 9,085
From: Snow Hill, NC
180 to Jonas ridge is great then to Boone then 321 to Elizabetown Tn to Bristol and then down 421... Also HWY 8 north of Greensboro to Riner VA... Little restaurant there that serve there own grown Buffalo...I think it's called Brushy Creek ...
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
hwy 104 out of mt airy.nice sweeping road.with some pretty good views. it will take you past squirrel spur rd.if you see it .atleast go up and back down.good twisties.with a couple hard switchbacks.this will also take you to the parkway about 5 miles south of meadows of dan.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 192
Likes: 1
From: NC
I think there are some people that ride, but I think there are a few main sub forums people spend most of their time in, and I know on my machine, the default window of time for posts is 24 hours, so when you come in here, and don't see much activity, some may forget to come back and check often enough...
I'm looking for some nice rides out of the Charlotte area, day trips for sure and maybe some overnighters. I have people in Raleigh area, so I can always go by that way and stay somewhere and come back this way too.
When it gets hot, I want to go higher into the mountains. In the car it's always been about the destination, and getting to at as quickly as possible w/ as few stops possible. Funny how things change on the bike.
I'm looking for some nice rides out of the Charlotte area, day trips for sure and maybe some overnighters. I have people in Raleigh area, so I can always go by that way and stay somewhere and come back this way too.
When it gets hot, I want to go higher into the mountains. In the car it's always been about the destination, and getting to at as quickly as possible w/ as few stops possible. Funny how things change on the bike.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 836
Likes: 4
From: NC / SC between the Mtns and the Ocean
So I'm looking at some roads... I have some questions for you all.
One friend was talking about a trip to Gatlinburg sometime this year, and another friend was wanting me to meet him in Cherokee sometime this year...
Coming from Charlotte/Fort Mill/Rock Hill area, I was experimenting w/ Google Maps which way to go...
Ways to Chimney Rock and Lake Lure / Things to do there:
First thing I discovered is that some routes go by Lake Lure and Chimney Rock. I've heard people talk about these two places, so I was wondering if anyone here had any suggestions on particular ways to go there, or things to do once there, whether it's a stop on our way to the mountains, or our destination on a day trip where we'd go there and turn around to come this way.
I was thinking of taking a day trip there as a pre trip to either Cherokee or the Mountains, to get myself familiar w/ the area, so I was hoping to leave one morning, eat and see stuff around the Lake or Chimney Rock, and drive back to Charlotte/Fort Mill/Rock Hill area. Then at a future time, take a trip to Cherokee or Gatlinburg and know more where to stop on the way if we want.
This is a pretty straight shot to Chimney Rock that takes about 2.5 hrs, is there a more fun way? And what to do while there before moving on, or returning? http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=14523+Carowinds+Blvd,+Ch arlotte,+NC+28273+(Paramount+Carowinds+Theme+Thril l+Park)&daddr=Chimney+Rock,+Nc&geocode=FfqgFwId3eQ s-yHZ3ki16MhSmw%3B&hl=en&gl=us&mra=ls&dirflg=h&sll=3 5.532226,-82.177734&sspn=1.256135,2.850952&ie=UTF8&ll=35.270 289,-81.716309&spn=0.630116,1.425476&z=10
Ways to Cherokee and sights to see there:
So, as stated above, I know you can go by Chimney Rock/Lake Lure on the way to Cherokee, but there are several ways to get there. Avoiding highways, you can take what seems to have some scenic routes there, but then I see you cross the Blue Ridge Parkway on the way there, so I thought if you really wanted to, you could go further up almost to Asheville, then get on the Blue Ridge Parkway and follow it all the way around to Cherokee, but this would be like 6 hrs of riding, not including stops, coming from Clt area, so that would be an all day trip to get there. But I was thinking, if your primary goal of the trip is to go riding and take in the sights, why not make the first day include some really scenic rides, and then upon arriving in Cherokee, make that a base to ride around more in that area on the following day(s), prior to your return trip.
Here is the shorter 4.5 hrs riding time, but still scenic route I made w/ Google:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=14523+Carowinds+Blvd,+Ch arlotte,+NC+28273+(Paramount+Carowinds+Theme+Thril l+Park)&daddr=777+Casino+Drive,+Cherokee,+NC+28719 +(Harrah's+Cherokee)&geocode=CWZ-UYYmYKqoFfqgFwId3eQs-yHZ3ki16MhSmw%3BFZkvHQId49UI-yFO9zZ5AFlTbg&hl=en&gl=us&mra=pe&mrcr=0&dirflg=h&s ll=35.279218,-82.074698&sspn=1.300441,2.900391&ie=UTF8&ll=35.319 607,-82.180481&spn=1.299793,2.900391&z=9
Here is the longer even more scenic (assumably) route to Cherokee about 6 hrs riding time:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=14523+Carowinds+Blvd,+Ch arlotte,+NC+28273+(Paramount+Carowinds+Theme+Thril l+Park)&daddr=Blue+Ridge+Pkwy+to:Blue+Ridge+Pkwy+t o:35.522726,-83.243408+to:777+Casino+Drive,+Cherokee,+NC+28719+ (Harrah's+Cherokee)&geocode=FfqgFwId3eQs-yHZ3ki16MhSmw%3BFTT5HAIdUKAS-w%3BFcGxGgIdomcO-w%3B%3BFZkvHQId49UI-yFO9zZ5AFlTbg&hl=en&gl=us&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=3&sz =11&via=1,2,3&dirflg=h&sll=35.4092,-82.984543&sspn=0.314517,0.712738&ie=UTF8&ll=35.532 226,-82.177734&spn=1.256135,2.850952&z=9
You can zoom in on the routes, particularly towards the western part of the route, to see how it passes Lake Lure and Chimney Rock, and then either takes a shorter, but non highway route, or go all the way to Asheville and follow the BRP, take a look and tell me what you think, if you have a better combination of routes, if you think I'm crazy for taking the BRP or what.
Another idea would be to take the first route to get there, and then take the BRP out of Cherokee and go somewhere else up the BRP, either another destination, or a day trip and come back.
Ways to Gatlinburg and things to do there:
Now, Gatlinburg is on the other side of the national forest from Cherokee. From the Charlotte area, looks like you can take some highways to get there relatively quickly. But going back to my earlier point, why not take a more scenic route on the way there, if that's the whole point of going.
I see you can go to Cherokee, for example, stop there one night, then take 441 through the forest to Gatlinburg on another day, but I would have concerns over taking this leg during a peak season, say in the summer on a weekend day, if it's the only road through there, I wouldn't want to sit in unbearable traffic to get through there w/ no way to get out as an alternate route, but if anyone has any feedback about reasonable times to take this 441 leg, like maybe before it gets too hot in low lying areas, and maybe a weekday, is that a good idea, to go from Cherokee to Gatlinburg through the forest?
So, the longer way that includes the 441 leg through the forest looks something like this, this is the shorter, but scenic route, to Cherokee, and then taking 441 through the forest. You could either take the long or short way to Cherokee if you stayed the night there, depending on when you left, but then take 441 through the forest, this would be allegedly 5 hrs 15 minutes if driven straight through, and no crazy tourist backups on that forest leg, but if you stayed in Cherokee overnight:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=14523+Carowinds+Blvd,+Ch arlotte,+NC+28273+(Paramount+Carowinds+Theme+Thril l+Park)&daddr=Gatlinburg,+TN&geocode=FfqgFwId3eQs-yHZ3ki16MhSmw%3B&hl=en&gl=us&mra=ls&dirflg=h&sll=3 5.270289,-81.716309&sspn=0.630116,1.425476&ie=UTF8&z=9
The Cherokee leg to Gatlinburg through 441 is only 40 miles, and says 45 minutes, but I'd bet it could be double that easily...
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=777+Casino+Drive,+Cherok ee,+NC+28719+(Harrah's+Cherokee)&daddr=Gatlinburg, +TN&geocode=CYFZiWZUXTpoFZkvHQId49UI-yFO9zZ5AFlTbg%3B&hl=en&gl=us&mra=pe&mrcr=0&dirflg= h&sll=35.483484,-81.688862&sspn=2.594239,5.800781&ie=UTF8&ll=35.486 393,-83.168564&spn=0.32428,0.725098&z=11
Or here would be the highway route if you were just trying to get there. This is only 3 hrs 45 minutes, about 1.5 hrs faster than the other way. Any other ideas?
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=14523+Carowinds+Blvd,+Ch arlotte,+NC+28273+(Paramount+Carowinds+Theme+Thril l+Park)&daddr=Gatlinburg,+TN&geocode=FfqgFwId3eQs-yHZ3ki16MhSmw%3B&hl=en&gl=us&mra=ls&sll=35.117662,-81.209564&sspn=0.315651,0.712738&ie=UTF8&z=9
King's Mountain State Park?
I see there's a state park and a military park on the way to any of these places, the direct route doesn't look too twisty, but I was wondering if anyone was familiar w/ this place at all, might be something to see one afternoon if not wanting to travel too far:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=14523+Carowinds+Blvd,+Ch arlotte,+NC+28273+(Paramount+Carowinds+Theme+Thril l+Park)&daddr=1277+Park+Rd,+Blacksburg,+SC+29702+( Kings+Mountain+State+Park)&geocode=FfqgFwId3eQs-yHZ3ki16MhSmw%3BCTHIEzNcqiiGFfdPGAId6-om-yHx6ErVgi5wvg&hl=en&gl=us&mra=pe&mrcr=0&dirflg=h&s ll=35.136925,-81.178685&sspn=0.306593,0.725098&ie=UTF8&ll=35.125 525,-81.1409&spn=0.306635,0.725098&z=11
Any thoughts on any of these routes, destinations etc???????????
Thanks.
One friend was talking about a trip to Gatlinburg sometime this year, and another friend was wanting me to meet him in Cherokee sometime this year...
Coming from Charlotte/Fort Mill/Rock Hill area, I was experimenting w/ Google Maps which way to go...
Ways to Chimney Rock and Lake Lure / Things to do there:
First thing I discovered is that some routes go by Lake Lure and Chimney Rock. I've heard people talk about these two places, so I was wondering if anyone here had any suggestions on particular ways to go there, or things to do once there, whether it's a stop on our way to the mountains, or our destination on a day trip where we'd go there and turn around to come this way.
I was thinking of taking a day trip there as a pre trip to either Cherokee or the Mountains, to get myself familiar w/ the area, so I was hoping to leave one morning, eat and see stuff around the Lake or Chimney Rock, and drive back to Charlotte/Fort Mill/Rock Hill area. Then at a future time, take a trip to Cherokee or Gatlinburg and know more where to stop on the way if we want.
This is a pretty straight shot to Chimney Rock that takes about 2.5 hrs, is there a more fun way? And what to do while there before moving on, or returning? http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=14523+Carowinds+Blvd,+Ch arlotte,+NC+28273+(Paramount+Carowinds+Theme+Thril l+Park)&daddr=Chimney+Rock,+Nc&geocode=FfqgFwId3eQ s-yHZ3ki16MhSmw%3B&hl=en&gl=us&mra=ls&dirflg=h&sll=3 5.532226,-82.177734&sspn=1.256135,2.850952&ie=UTF8&ll=35.270 289,-81.716309&spn=0.630116,1.425476&z=10
Ways to Cherokee and sights to see there:
So, as stated above, I know you can go by Chimney Rock/Lake Lure on the way to Cherokee, but there are several ways to get there. Avoiding highways, you can take what seems to have some scenic routes there, but then I see you cross the Blue Ridge Parkway on the way there, so I thought if you really wanted to, you could go further up almost to Asheville, then get on the Blue Ridge Parkway and follow it all the way around to Cherokee, but this would be like 6 hrs of riding, not including stops, coming from Clt area, so that would be an all day trip to get there. But I was thinking, if your primary goal of the trip is to go riding and take in the sights, why not make the first day include some really scenic rides, and then upon arriving in Cherokee, make that a base to ride around more in that area on the following day(s), prior to your return trip.
Here is the shorter 4.5 hrs riding time, but still scenic route I made w/ Google:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=14523+Carowinds+Blvd,+Ch arlotte,+NC+28273+(Paramount+Carowinds+Theme+Thril l+Park)&daddr=777+Casino+Drive,+Cherokee,+NC+28719 +(Harrah's+Cherokee)&geocode=CWZ-UYYmYKqoFfqgFwId3eQs-yHZ3ki16MhSmw%3BFZkvHQId49UI-yFO9zZ5AFlTbg&hl=en&gl=us&mra=pe&mrcr=0&dirflg=h&s ll=35.279218,-82.074698&sspn=1.300441,2.900391&ie=UTF8&ll=35.319 607,-82.180481&spn=1.299793,2.900391&z=9
Here is the longer even more scenic (assumably) route to Cherokee about 6 hrs riding time:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=14523+Carowinds+Blvd,+Ch arlotte,+NC+28273+(Paramount+Carowinds+Theme+Thril l+Park)&daddr=Blue+Ridge+Pkwy+to:Blue+Ridge+Pkwy+t o:35.522726,-83.243408+to:777+Casino+Drive,+Cherokee,+NC+28719+ (Harrah's+Cherokee)&geocode=FfqgFwId3eQs-yHZ3ki16MhSmw%3BFTT5HAIdUKAS-w%3BFcGxGgIdomcO-w%3B%3BFZkvHQId49UI-yFO9zZ5AFlTbg&hl=en&gl=us&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=3&sz =11&via=1,2,3&dirflg=h&sll=35.4092,-82.984543&sspn=0.314517,0.712738&ie=UTF8&ll=35.532 226,-82.177734&spn=1.256135,2.850952&z=9
You can zoom in on the routes, particularly towards the western part of the route, to see how it passes Lake Lure and Chimney Rock, and then either takes a shorter, but non highway route, or go all the way to Asheville and follow the BRP, take a look and tell me what you think, if you have a better combination of routes, if you think I'm crazy for taking the BRP or what.
Another idea would be to take the first route to get there, and then take the BRP out of Cherokee and go somewhere else up the BRP, either another destination, or a day trip and come back.
Ways to Gatlinburg and things to do there:
Now, Gatlinburg is on the other side of the national forest from Cherokee. From the Charlotte area, looks like you can take some highways to get there relatively quickly. But going back to my earlier point, why not take a more scenic route on the way there, if that's the whole point of going.
I see you can go to Cherokee, for example, stop there one night, then take 441 through the forest to Gatlinburg on another day, but I would have concerns over taking this leg during a peak season, say in the summer on a weekend day, if it's the only road through there, I wouldn't want to sit in unbearable traffic to get through there w/ no way to get out as an alternate route, but if anyone has any feedback about reasonable times to take this 441 leg, like maybe before it gets too hot in low lying areas, and maybe a weekday, is that a good idea, to go from Cherokee to Gatlinburg through the forest?
So, the longer way that includes the 441 leg through the forest looks something like this, this is the shorter, but scenic route, to Cherokee, and then taking 441 through the forest. You could either take the long or short way to Cherokee if you stayed the night there, depending on when you left, but then take 441 through the forest, this would be allegedly 5 hrs 15 minutes if driven straight through, and no crazy tourist backups on that forest leg, but if you stayed in Cherokee overnight:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=14523+Carowinds+Blvd,+Ch arlotte,+NC+28273+(Paramount+Carowinds+Theme+Thril l+Park)&daddr=Gatlinburg,+TN&geocode=FfqgFwId3eQs-yHZ3ki16MhSmw%3B&hl=en&gl=us&mra=ls&dirflg=h&sll=3 5.270289,-81.716309&sspn=0.630116,1.425476&ie=UTF8&z=9
The Cherokee leg to Gatlinburg through 441 is only 40 miles, and says 45 minutes, but I'd bet it could be double that easily...
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=777+Casino+Drive,+Cherok ee,+NC+28719+(Harrah's+Cherokee)&daddr=Gatlinburg, +TN&geocode=CYFZiWZUXTpoFZkvHQId49UI-yFO9zZ5AFlTbg%3B&hl=en&gl=us&mra=pe&mrcr=0&dirflg= h&sll=35.483484,-81.688862&sspn=2.594239,5.800781&ie=UTF8&ll=35.486 393,-83.168564&spn=0.32428,0.725098&z=11
Or here would be the highway route if you were just trying to get there. This is only 3 hrs 45 minutes, about 1.5 hrs faster than the other way. Any other ideas?
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=14523+Carowinds+Blvd,+Ch arlotte,+NC+28273+(Paramount+Carowinds+Theme+Thril l+Park)&daddr=Gatlinburg,+TN&geocode=FfqgFwId3eQs-yHZ3ki16MhSmw%3B&hl=en&gl=us&mra=ls&sll=35.117662,-81.209564&sspn=0.315651,0.712738&ie=UTF8&z=9
King's Mountain State Park?
I see there's a state park and a military park on the way to any of these places, the direct route doesn't look too twisty, but I was wondering if anyone was familiar w/ this place at all, might be something to see one afternoon if not wanting to travel too far:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=14523+Carowinds+Blvd,+Ch arlotte,+NC+28273+(Paramount+Carowinds+Theme+Thril l+Park)&daddr=1277+Park+Rd,+Blacksburg,+SC+29702+( Kings+Mountain+State+Park)&geocode=FfqgFwId3eQs-yHZ3ki16MhSmw%3BCTHIEzNcqiiGFfdPGAId6-om-yHx6ErVgi5wvg&hl=en&gl=us&mra=pe&mrcr=0&dirflg=h&s ll=35.136925,-81.178685&sspn=0.306593,0.725098&ie=UTF8&ll=35.125 525,-81.1409&spn=0.306635,0.725098&z=11
Any thoughts on any of these routes, destinations etc???????????
Thanks.
Last edited by karz10; May 6, 2009 at 12:54 AM.