I live in Up-State NY, and I am really starting to think of taking my first LOOOOONGGGGGG Tour on my SG to Blue Ridge Parkway & Shenandoah National Park. I would be going 2-up.

A few Questions:

Does anyone have any tips of how long I should think about riding the first day?

Do I look into making Hotel resorvations or wing it?

Do you know of any good place to stop and not miss out on??

How many miles is it start to finish of the Blue Ridge Parkway & Shenandoah National Park?

I have never been to either place, so I do not really know much about it. I have read thru a lot of post where people have gone, or are going to go. I would really like to make this trip the best that I can.

Thank you for any tips, ideas, or any other info you can give.

Bob

 

you'll love the ride...i just wing it...makes for a great adventure...go all the way down to Ashville and stay at the Grove Park Inn...wifey'll love ya for it

 

There was a writeup on the details on the Blue Ridge Parkway, I believe in the last Hogtales. If you don't have it, let me know and give me an email, I'll send it to you.

 

I did read that, that is what sort of help give me the bug and want to go.

Bob

 

We've done the Blue Ridge Pwwy twice. It is really nice!

THe last several years, we've kinda just adopted a ride til ur done approack and it really works out nice. THat way you're not ever pushing to get somewhere or stopping before you're really ready. It also allows for flexibility along the way. If ya see something you wanna look at or visit, you just do it.

Don't know how far east you are, but a couple years back on a ride up to Niagra Falls, we shot back to the east across NY to roughly Utica (due to storms) and headed south down through the Poconos in PA, MD, and into VA, then down to Shenandoah & Blue Ridge Pkwy.

It was a blast... I'm jealous!

 

I just did a 2-up trip from Yorktown, VA to Afton, VA (start of the Blue Ridge Parkway) and rode it south to about Roanoke,VA. We stayed at the Peaks of Otter Lodge about 20 miles north of Roanoke, VA. I highly recommend it for the peace and quiet. Also, check this website http://www.tailofthedragon.com/ . You can click on the menu at the top of the website and get tons of info on the entire area and the BRP. We rode 1,611 miles in 4 days on my Road King. Your travel will be somewhat determined by lots of things, not the least is of which is the weather.
The BRP is a nice ride - about 45 mph in most places. Only saw one deer and no police on the BRP, but there are lots of both out there.
Take a camera, raingear, and don't pass up a chance to get gas.

 

Me and the wife just got back from Shenandoah park on our EGC. Skylne drive is 105 miles long with a 35 MPH speed limit. Taking our time and stopping at maybe 25 of the 75 scenic overlooks, it took us about six hours. We stayed at this place www.hillsidemotel-luray.com for two days. I highly reccomend it. Only got about 50 miles down the BRP before turning off on route 60 to head for Appomattox, but what a ride! We are definately coming back to finish the Parkway. You are probably best off winging it. It's hard to schedule just where you are going to end up at the end of the day. Have a great trip and watch the deer down there! They are all over the place and have no fear of vehicles. Ride safe!

 

You're in a great location to start with...come down thru PA on the secondary roads..should be able to come past Lancaster, Pa. ...some great local cooking there. You could swing over to York, Pa. for a factory tour if you haven done that, then on down into Va.. You can start the Skyline Drive @ Luray, Va. and you should find good accommodations there. Just head south, play the weather and your time and take in whatever strikes your fancy. There is Lodging where the route crosses I-64 @ Waynesboro as well as any number of Bread an Breakfast facilities as well as towns in the valley on both sides of the route. Try to at least have lunch at the Peaks-of-Otter Lodge just outside of Bedford / Roanoke, Va. (A great place to stay as well). Watch your speed, watch the road, and watch for critters..by all means have a ball!

John

06 FLHRKC

 

I agree - head to Port Jervis and either come down 519 to New Hope and then take 32 or go throught the Delaware Water Gap

http://www.motorcycleroads.com/route.../PA/PA_4.shtml

and then take 611 to 32.

http://www.motorcycleroads.com/route.../PA/PA_2.shtml

and you may be able to find a good run through Maryland on the site as well.

The page on the SE has details on Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway.

http://www.motorcycleroads.com/find_a_road_se.shtml

Heck, maybe you should meet me where 32 starts and I'll take the rest of the ride with you...

 

Try here-
http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/

Lots of good info here, like which milepost to exit the parkway for gas. On the left of the page are several links. Go to "Request info", check off what you'd like and watch your mailbox. It's no charge.

I'm leaving for a 4 day trip next week and haven't decided where to go yet but it's looking like I'm going to the Shenandoah National Park and working my way south on the BRP, same as you. Good luck and ride safe on your trip.