September Blue Ridge Parkway trip

[George R. Young]

Aiming for Sept. 12 thru 20, checking the weather for hurricanes. Kids should be back in school, campgrounds should be empty, weather should still be warm, I hope.

If you see a slightly dusty red 2001 C10, wave.

[twowheeladdict]

Low 70s in the higher elevations right now.

There are no showers in the brp campgrounds except for one near the southern end. 

If you want more curves and faster speeds some of the roads that parallel the parkway can be a real challenge.  55 mph limit on roads that would test anyones skill to maintain through the twists and turns.

[Conniesaki]

Low 70s in the higher elevations right now.

There are no showers in the brp campgrounds except for one near the southern end. 

If you want more curves and faster speeds some of the roads that parallel the parkway can be a real challenge.  55 mph limit on roads that would test anyones skill to maintain through the twists and turns.

two - Can you name some of those roads? I'm heading there from FL this week 

[twowheeladdict]

How far north are you going?  In NC, most roads are 55 mph when in between towns.  They slow you down for the town, and when you leave they say "resume safe speed".
221 from Grandfather mountain to Blowing Rock, NC for one.
194 from Banner Elk to Valle Crusts is another.  Make sure you stop in at the Mast General Store.
Not 55 mph, but 226a up to Little Switzerland is a must.  Take 226 down and go up 226a.
80 (buck creek rd) down to and around Lake Tahoma might be nice.  Haven't been on that one in many years though.
215 to 276 to 64 or just as a way to  bypass part of the parkway.
don't miss out on going up Mount Mitchell State park.
i've probably already shared to much, and probably can't share any of the secret roads on the Internet.   Keep in mind that our friendly GPS devices don't really avoid dirt roads.  Seen a few Harley riders have to turn around when the nice shortcut turns to dirt.  Even if you have it on fastest route, you may encounter dirt.  The nice thing about faster route in the mountains is that it will find the 55 mph back roads that maje you go WTF?

Have a great time.

[Conniesaki]

How far north are you going?  In NC, most roads are 55 mph when in between towns.  They slow you down for the town, and when you leave they say "resume safe speed".
221 from Grandfather mountain to Blowing Rock, NC for one.
194 from Banner Elk to Valle Crusts is another.  Make sure you stop in at the Mast General Store.
Not 55 mph, but 226a up to Little Switzerland is a must.  Take 226 down and go up 226a.
80 (buck creek rd) down to and around Lake Tahoma might be nice.  Haven't been on that one in many years though.
215 to 276 to 64 or just as a way to  bypass part of the parkway.
don't miss out on going up Mount Mitchell State park.
i've probably already shared to much, and probably can't share any of the secret roads on the Internet.   Keep in mind that our friendly GPS devices don't really avoid dirt roads.  Seen a few Harley riders have to turn around when the nice shortcut turns to dirt.  Even if you have it on fastest route, you may encounter dirt.  The nice thing about faster route in the mountains is that it will find the 55 mph back roads that maje you go WTF?

Have a great time.

Tks for the info. Some of those sound familiar (like Little Switzerland), as in might already be planned in our route being done by one of the other guys.

Taking the Amtrak Auto Train from Sanford, FL to Lorton, VA ... riding W to the N start of Skyline Drive, and riding that and the entire BRP.

[twowheeladdict]

Tks for the info. Some of those sound familiar (like Little Switzerland), as in might already be planned in our route being done by one of the other guys.

Taking the Amtrak Auto Train from Sanford, FL to Lorton, VA ... riding W to the N start of Skyline Drive, and riding that and the entire BRP.

Sounds like an awesome trip!  Roanoke mountain is accessed from the parkway and worth the detour.

Grandfather Mountain will set you back $20, but has some great views and really tight switchbacks.

Check out www.blueridgeparkway.org.

I am looking at the magazine right now.  You may be able to pick one up at the North ranger center.  Definitely get a BRP map.

It can help you plan fuel stops.  There are fuel stations less than a mile off the parkway at some exits, and more than 12 miles at other.

And of course when you get to the southern end you must spend a couple days riding the smokies, cherohala, dragon, etc.

[George R. Young]

43 down from Peaks of Otter to Bedford is pretty nice too.

[Conniesaki]

Great ... thanks guys.

[Ron Dawg]

Go to the BRP website and download the BRP app.  http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/v.php?pg=925

It's a little clunky to use, but can be useful.

[rhhall]

Good luck trying to maintain speed on 194 from Banner Elk to Valle Crucis. Was in that neck of the woods yesterday and weather was a little cool with rain. +1 on the Mast General Store, great candy selection. If in Boone, check out Peppers for some really good sandwiches or Woodlands BBQ in Blowing Rock. Linville Falls on the parkway is a must see also. You will also be close to the "Snake" (rt.421) in Tennessee. Less crowded than the "Dragon" and more funner IMO. Have fun.

[twowheeladdict]

Good luck trying to maintain speed on 194 from Banner Elk to Valle Crucis. Was in that neck of the woods yesterday and weather was a little cool with rain. +1 on the Mast General Store, great candy selection. If in Boone, check out Peppers for some really good sandwiches or Woodlands BBQ in Blowing Rock. Linville Falls on the parkway is a must see also. You will also be close to the "Snake" (rt.421) in Tennessee. Less crowded than the "Dragon" and more funner IMO. Have fun.

I will second Woodlands BBQ.  Speed on 194 is not limited by traffic, skill and concentration will tell you whether the speed limit can be maintained. My wife thought the speed limit should be 30.

[Conniesaki]

I will second Woodlands BBQ.  Speed on 194 is not limited by traffic, skill and concentration will tell you whether the speed limit can be maintained. My wife thought the speed limit should be 30.

Wow ... my man ... what does this say for your riding skills??!

[twowheeladdict]

Wow ... my man ... what does this say for your riding skills??!

I don't think is says anything about my riding skills.  I says a lot about taking your wife along and you are not riding her favorite bike.   

[rhhall]

194 is a challenging road.

[sanmo]

fify.........It says a lot about taking my wife along and I'm not riding her favorite bike.   

I'm assuming that this is what TWA meant? 

[Conniesaki]

I don't think is says anything about my riding skills.  I says a lot about taking your wife along and you are not riding her favorite bike.   

In case it wasn't obvious, I was joking 

[twowheeladdict]

In case it wasn't obvious, I was joking 

 

[George R. Young]

Post trip report:

Because of rain deluge in Ottawa and NY state on Sept. 12th and 13th, I delayed my departure to Mon. Sept. 14th. In hindsight, this was a great decision, as I then had 9 days of mostly sunshine and only a couple of hours rain in WV. Warm days, cool evenings. No hurricanes.

The most exciting part was Holloway Road down from the Parkway to Banner Elk. Turns out this road is gravel and neither I nor the Concours is great on gravel, but we survived.

Camped every night, trying out the new tent, Ledge Tarantula. Roomy, external storage areas under the fly, good ventilation.

Chewed my rear tire past the wear bars at about 20,000 km, and will get another Michelin Commander II to replace it (if I can, everybody seems to be out of stock). Bike ran great, no tickets, didn't see too many Concourses, lots of Harleys.

The only bike episode was the lovely 55W bi-xenon HID headlight died. I noticed this when going through one of the unlit BRP tunnels, you don't see much from only the running lights. The HID light is terrifically bright when working, but there's no other filament to fall back on. Replaced it with the spare halogen, and I think that's the end of the HID experiment for me.

About 2600 mi, 42.7 mi/USgal.

[Ron Dawg]

Hi George. Just changed to that tire and I like it. Amazon seems to have a supply from Motorcycle Superstore when I looked just now.
Ron

[George R. Young]

Michelin Commander II 150/80B16 77H $148 (US) on amazon.com, $578 (CDN) on amazon.ca. Quite the exchange difference.

Us Canadians get used to this sort of abuse.