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....on my new F6B. (BTW, I had been posting the last couple of weeks and was "erased", but here I'm back...). So, taking the auto train up from Fla, to near DC, going west to start at the Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park area and taking a week going south, through the Dragon, and back to FL. Planning this trip for mid-June. Anyone with observations about weather, tips for things to avoid, or anything that can help me and my group plan the trip would be appreciated.
Try to hit the Cherohala, Smokey Mountain National Park, and the Foothills...you can't miss on any of those. I did that trip last September. We did the Dragon and the BRP also. There are so many....
I'm not entirely sure how crowded the Blue Ridge Parkway gets on a regular basis or weekends vs mid-week, but when a group of us did it last May in the middle of the week, we felt like we had it to ourselves. Very few cars or other motorcycles. Loved it! Shenandoah is nice too...you'll enjoy that. I'd for sure hit BRP and Cherohala.Quote:
Originally Posted by carreramia
The most popular rides get crowded on weekends. On Saturday and Sunday in June expect nose to tail traffic on the Dragon. Try to plan those on weekdays. You will have a great time regardless. In some areas, fuel stops are scarce. Plan accordingly.Quote:
Originally Posted by carreramia
For sure do the Dragon midweek as it's a much more enjoyable ride. The weekends are very busy with wannabe road racers and car clubs. If you do the Cherohala and Dragon the same day you'll have to go through Tellico Plains. Stop at the Tellicafe for lunch. It's right across the street from Hardee's. They had the best homemade ketchup the last time I was there. You can't miss on any of the roads for great riding.
I haven't been able to ride these but a few others in the area..
But here is a web site to check out and they will send a free map
If you want http://www.appalachianbackroads.com/2015-routes
Planning on going soon. I did the skyline dr to brp a few years back, amazing views
Saw black bear feeding on edge of road a wild boar and some deer.
We went during the week traffic was very light.
I did the Parkway and the Dragon along with the Cherohala just this past May. Stayed in Maggie Valley and "shamrocked" from there. Done them before too but straight through as you are planning to. Agreed, skip the Dragon on the weekends, crazy busy. The Skyline has a fee unless you have a park pass. Watch your fuel, there are no stations along the parkway itself. Some of the gas stations are a ways off the exits too. You've allowed yourself lots of time, so that is good. You don't make much distance on the BRP. Lots of turns and the speed limit is low, especially at the bottom. Stop, take pictures. It's a great ride. Watch for deer and black bears. I hit a bear a few years back in Virginia. Ugly result, dead bear and broken leg and bike for me....
Enjoy those roads, and like others have said, avoid the Dragon, on weekends. Just wondering, why you are taking the train, as the weather will be fine, mid June. Still takes time to fly up and get your bike. Just wondering.
Even in June, riding the mountains can and will get cold especially in the morning. I have ridden the BRP from one end to the other in late June and it never got out of the 60s.
About 30 miles before you get to Asheville, NC on the BRP, exit on Highway 80 toward Marion, NC. It is also a nice little town to stay and lots of motels and restaurants. The ride on US 80 is the best kept secret in the Smokey Mountains and I have never seen it crowded and it is a lot more fun than the Dragon. Trust me on this one.
Thanks for the tip, on hwy 80. I just had a look on map quest. 80 looks to be as fun as you say. Probably some more "hidden" jewels in the area, too.Quote:
Originally Posted by Old Ryder
I,ll second that, I think US 80 is called the Devils Whip? Fantastic, Rode it last year and it was cooler up on the Parkway. These bikes were made for that riding, enjoy.Quote:
Originally Posted by Old Ryder
I am not flying up, five of us are taking the auto train (it also takes bikes), from just north of Orlando, FL (about 3 hrs from our home town of Port Charlotte), and 17 hrs later (overnight) we get to north Virginia, just south of DC. We get there around 11am, take our bikes off the train and begin the trip back.Quote:
Originally Posted by jm21ddd15
And thanks to all for the tips....our group did the dragon last summer, just after Memorial Day weekend, and enjoyed it during the week, when it was as everyone says, much less congested.
On this trip we are on the train heading from FL north on a Saturday, arriving Virginia Sunday around 11am. We drive west from there to Front Royal, at the top of Skyline Drive, and meander south to our first night on the road. The bulk of the miles will be during the week, finishing the Dragon Friday (we hope), and then heading home on Saturday, taking the back roads to Valdosta, GA for the night. The next day, Sunday, we are about 5 hours from home on 75.
Thanks to BigCity for the link to the appalachian back roads, that will surely help plan our trip route.
Some of my favs along the Skyway and the BRP are the roads going down to the small communities on either side. Some of the best twisties are those because of the elevation changes needed to get down and back up to the parkway.
any suggestions about places to get off the BRP that you would recommend? obviously, we don't have time for even many of them but if you have one or two favorites, especially one or two to spend the night, it would be appreciated.Quote:
Originally Posted by 2wheelsforme
Wow you have lots of choices. Skyline and the BRP both can be done easy in two days. From the North on the BRP and after Blowing Rock you can exit south at Mile Post 293 and parallel the BRP on 221, back on at MP 305. Look at Little Switzerland (has two motels and a great restaurant with a view). Exit south from the BRP at mile post 331 or 334 and take 226A (make sure it is the one with A) ride for a bit and return or hit 221 and back up 80 to MP 344 and you will have rode the Diamond Back. MT Mitchell State Park is nice at MP 355. 276 both north and south is twisty at MP 412. One of my favs is 215 aka Lake Logan Rd to the north at MP 423, and return. Not too far and a nice waterfall can be seen from the road. Or South is very nice also and leads to another road side water fall and Rosman, a city with motels. That area is my favorite place to go and is extensive with great roads and little traffic. You could just return to the BRP the same route down or take Silversteen Rd and Canada RD and Charleys Creek Rd back to the same spot on the BRP. That is a great loop and you might hear banjo music. From there, back at MP 423 you will be coming up on the highest point of the BRP and not too far from the end at Cherokee MP469 so make some stops. If you want to get off the bike MP 455 is Maggie Valley and the Wheels Through Time Motorcycle Museum. Lots of Motels also. You can tell I like the Southern end of the Smokies the best. Gatlinburg area and everything on the north side of the mountain is much too crowded with cars for me. From Cherokee it is easy to continue to The Dragon via 28 and Fontana Dam. Motels in that area are plentiful. Then back down and over to the Cherohala Skyway. If you have time a set of maps by America Rides Maps is a great set of maps for the Smokies.
awesome info, now to sit down with maps and plot this out.....thanks!!Quote:
Originally Posted by 2wheelsforme
The Parkway and Skyline Drive is one of my favorite rides! Weekdays are best. Get a map showing towns and get an idea for your gas stops. If you wait and take a notion to pull off for gas you might go further than you want to.
Swimming is always a part of my trips. Glacier lakes, Geat lakes, rivers, creeks, waterfalls... you get the picture I see water and swim. If you need to cool off a bit on the Parkway pull off at the parking lot at mile marker #417. Just across the road follow the path for a 10 minute hike that ends at a small but beautiful creek hole that is worth visiting.
Take time for the historic markers on Skyline Drive near Shenandoah Valley and be amazed at the feats and hardships of Civil War Soldiers.
I like the lunch buffet at Peaks of the Otter, it's on the Parkway and has a nice hotel (never stayed there I only tent).
Linville Falls at mile marker #316 is worth the short hike and nearby a mile or two off the Parkway is Louise's Rock House Restaurant located on three different county lines with good fried chicken.
I also recommend Blue Ridge Motorcycle Campground, at 59 Motorcycle Drive off US 276 near Canton. Motorcycles only. I have only camped there but I did see cabins. They serve meals under shelter at picnic tables. The price is right and the company is sure to be great fun.
Have a great ride!