Blue Ridge Parkway
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,117
Likes: 4
From: Log home in SE Michigan full time. Log cabin in east TN, Smoky Mountians part time
RE: Blue Ridge Parkway
You leave south FL for the mountians you may never want to go back to FL...
Are you staying in one place or are you planning on riding and staying somewhere different every day?? To start on the Blue Ridge Parkway from the direction you are coming from, actually is the end, according to the mile marker post. You start in Cherokee, NC. Lots of riding to do in this area, and across the mountian in and around Sevierville, TN. Riding just the Parkway, you sure wouldn't do any wrong......its close to 400 miles long, the most senic is at the end where you are starting, in my opinion. I will post back later this evening what there is to do in the area, before heading "up hill". We have discussed this here a lot this winter....do a search for "the Dragon", "Deals Gap" in the mean while.
Are you staying in one place or are you planning on riding and staying somewhere different every day?? To start on the Blue Ridge Parkway from the direction you are coming from, actually is the end, according to the mile marker post. You start in Cherokee, NC. Lots of riding to do in this area, and across the mountian in and around Sevierville, TN. Riding just the Parkway, you sure wouldn't do any wrong......its close to 400 miles long, the most senic is at the end where you are starting, in my opinion. I will post back later this evening what there is to do in the area, before heading "up hill". We have discussed this here a lot this winter....do a search for "the Dragon", "Deals Gap" in the mean while.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 359
Likes: 0
From: stafford, va
RE: Blue Ridge Parkway
just watch it in some places up here in VA they were doing a lot of road work on it. not sure if its all cleaned up but there were some stretches of gravel on the roads. nothing on here about it but they should be able to tell you at the entrance. http://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/roadclosures.htm
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,380
Likes: 14
From: Atlanta
RE: Blue Ridge Parkway
Coming from Florida, you might as well hit the Parkway at its terminus at the south end of Great Smoky Mountain National Park. within thefirst 50 miles is the highest point on the Parkway, a great visitor center, and the Folk Art museum just north of Asheville. If you have ten days, I suppose the biggest choice is whether you want to make maximum miles or see maximum scenery, because stopping at all the great views and attractions will eat up some time. If it were me, I would set my goal to cover the Parkway all through North Carolina - you'll get to see a lot, stop to smell the roses, and meet some interesting people. The Linn Cove Viaduct between Asheville and the Virginia state line is a marvel well worth your time.
Ahhh... the Parkway. Simply the greatest road on the east coast. Mind your manners though - speed limit is 45mph, and there are spots where they mean it! If the Parkway police see you hotdogging it, especially with loud pipes, they'll want to get to know you better with a roadside chat. Don't ask me how I know...
Ahhh... the Parkway. Simply the greatest road on the east coast. Mind your manners though - speed limit is 45mph, and there are spots where they mean it! If the Parkway police see you hotdogging it, especially with loud pipes, they'll want to get to know you better with a roadside chat. Don't ask me how I know...
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,108
Likes: 9
From: Lincolnton, NC
RE: Blue Ridge Parkway
On the web page for the BRP there is info telling you where you can get off the BRP and find gas close by. Print that and take it with you. There is not a fuel stop at every exit off the prkway.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,241
Likes: 7
From: Daytona, Fla.
RE: Blue Ridge Parkway
ORIGINAL: Capt Jim
Going to do the Blue Ridge in July, leaving from South Florida. Only have 10days, any suggestions?????
Going to do the Blue Ridge in July, leaving from South Florida. Only have 10days, any suggestions?????
On the way up figure a day for the Cherohala Skyway (google it) & The Dragon (US-129). After that you can't go wrong! Read up on Cherokee, Maggie Valley, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Asheville, Boone, & Blowing Rock. If your wife is going & you like history & art consider Biltmore House & The New Morning Gallery in Asheville. Going north on the BRP from Asheville about 30 miles you'll find an intersection with SR-80, it makes The Dragon look like an interstate highway! North of there you will have a choice of the BRP which is a "parkway" with 45 mph speed, & US-221 which is just a local highway with a 55 mph speed limit. The BRP tends to repeat the manacured scenic views, while 221 runs through the real life of mountain living. Both are beautiful, they criss cross, & both take you to Boone & Blowing Rock. Both are great rides in their own way.
Mast General Store in Valle Crucis is always fun, as is finding it. There are no bad roads in The Smokies, your only problem is that 10 days aren't enough!
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,552
Likes: 1
RE: Blue Ridge Parkway
The last couple of times the best time on the parkway was during the week. Weekend's just plain suck up there. To many cars and no place to pass. Oh ya if you are on it during the week end watch out for Ranger Shula. I got a proformance award from him for passing on a double yellow while passing three cars.