sky line drive Alert!!

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Sep 20, 2007 | 04:08 PM

#11

Woodchuck

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From: Vermont

RE: sky line drive Alert!!

I posted this in the "Road Trips" section on 09/07/07:

We're in the middle of a good tour. So far we made it from Vermont thru the Skyline Drive and part way down the Blue Ridge Parkway. Got off at Rte 52 and headed east and are now visiting friends near Raleigh, NC. Plan on backtracking to the BRP and completing it. Then we are going to hit the Cherahala (Sp?) and head up Tenn to WVA country roads.

We're riding along the Skyline and the wife says "What's that noise?" I yelled back that it was just a few pebbles being picked up by the front tire and hitting the fender - think nothing of it. About a mile further down the road and we pass a "Loose Gravel" sign. A good 40 miles had just got a fresh tar and gravel treatment. Even at 35 to 40 mph the front tire was pushing at times and the rearendwas loose thru a number of turns. Not a good sensationtwo upon afully loaded bagger!

Weather has been greatalthough temperatureshave been in the 90's. Haven't hit rain yet.

Sep 20, 2007 | 04:49 PM

#12

sethman2010

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RE: sky line drive Alert!!

Hey thanks for giving them a call CMS.We're leaving Saturday (from Illinois) so we won't actually be at the Skyline Drive until around the 24th or so. So hopefully they're on schedule with that broom!

But yeah if I can get internet access at a hotel or somewhere out there,I'll let you know what we see.

Sep 20, 2007 | 06:32 PM

#13

Plow64

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Joined: Jan 2007

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From: Northern VA

RE: sky line drive Alert!!

You've got to ride Skyline drive early in the morning, or else the traffic ruins the ride. Absolutey no fun riding 25 mph on that road.

Sep 20, 2007 | 07:51 PM

#14

Scootr

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Joined: Jul 2007

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From: Milwaukee, WI

RE: sky line drive Alert!!

Thanks for the heads up and great info everyone. I will be over there in a few weeks as well.

Sep 20, 2007 | 07:58 PM

#15

Nightrider2

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Joined: Sep 2006

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RE: sky line drive

CHIP SEALED, and until they sweep it, and some of the excess rock gets off the surface, it will be dangerous for 2 wheels. Be VERY CAREFUL if you ride it.

Quote:

ORIGINAL: cms1528

Hey, I called Skyline Nat. Park. They said the gravel road is actually (and I forget the proper name) gravel covered in a thin tar. The excess gravel will be broomed off this week and the lines will be painted on the 24thof this month.

Sep 20, 2007 | 08:13 PM

#16

choochoo

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RE: sky line drive

Were they just doing a chip and seal?
Normally they spray a special adhesive oil down on the old blacktop surface. Then spread "chips" ontop. Traffic compacts the chips and forms a new road top and extends the road another 5+ years.
Best thing to do is go find some gravel roads in your area and practice riding them at the fastest safe speed you can. Get some experience on gravel.
Then and also when you encounter the unexpected gravel as in this thread you'll be better prepared to handle it. Also, just slow down.
National parks and such are NOT meant for speed, meant for you to slow down and enjoy the view and sites and such.Don't be in such a hurry you might see something incredible if you slow down and look for it.

Sep 20, 2007 | 09:43 PM

#17

Woodchuck

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Joined: Oct 2006

Posts: 832

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From: Vermont

RE: sky line drive

It looked like the same way they resurface some of the secondary roads in Vermont. A tanker truck with a spray nozzle header on the back spreads a layer of tar and dump trucks then back behind it spreading a gravel layer. Around here, sand is used instead of gravel which increases the pucker factor when you run into a fresh treatment. Traffic works the sand into the tar and the road cracks are filled and the road is a little smoother for a couple of years. They seemed to go a little heavy on the gravel on the Skyline though.

Sep 21, 2007 | 06:07 AM

#18

raftgyde

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Joined: Jul 2005

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From: elkton, va

RE: sky line drive Alert!!

Quote:

ORIGINAL: sethman2010

Hey thanks for giving them a call CMS.We're leaving Saturday (from Illinois) so we won't actually be at the Skyline Drive until around the 24th or so. So hopefully they're on schedule with that broom!

But yeah if I can get internet access at a hotel or somewhere out there,I'll let you know what we see.

If I were you, I'd skip the last 20+ miles of the Skyline Drive and then jump back on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It doesn't matter that they're planning on running brooms on it. It will still have loose gravel until late next spring. To get around it, jump off the SD and take a right on Rt. 33 West. Go down the mountain and in about 5 miles, turn south at Elton, Va. on Rt. 340. Watch your speed as you pass through Grottoes, Va. In Waynesboro, turn left at the light on Rt. 250 east and go back up the mountain. (Gas up while in Waynesboro) After you go under the I64 bridges, bear off to your right in front of the gas station, and before you get to the stone (SD/BRP) bridge to get on the BRP at milemarker 0.