Blue Ridge Rarkway - recommendations?

[hjsbmw]

I want to go on a trip on the Parkway, probably first from Durham to Fancy Gap, VA, and then from Fancy Gap, VA along the Parkway to Asheville, NC or further on to Cherokee, NC. I'll be by myself. My plan is to take 3-4 days.

I'd like to keep the cost down and could probably justify spending around $50 a night for a room. Is this possible? From what I find online it seems more expensive than that.

I see there are no gas stations and one has to wander off the Parkway for that. I assume the same goes for basic food provisions?

Are there other things I should look into before I go?

[deilenberger]

You might want to look at the trip reports from 2007 and 2009 on my website... http://www.eilenberger.net/Trip_Reports/Trips.htm

Both include segments of the BRP.

You are almost correct - most of the way - there is no food/fuel available on the parkway. There are a few exceptions (two I can think of..), but for a 2 day trip, plan on descending into local towns for food/fuel.

As far as lodging - tough to stay on $50/night. Even flea-bag/section-8 motels tend to run more then that. Unless you're camping, I don't think you'll manage on that budget. You can get reasonable motel rooms for around $80/night sometimes if you have some sort of discount (AAA, AARP, military, LEO, etc..) and you stop early enough so the cheap places aren't full. There are booklets in service stops along I-81 that list cheap motels and motel deals all along I-81. I-81 is rarely more then 40 minutes or so from the Parkway, so that might be an option. BRP during the peak riding hours, then motel along I-81 at night using the deals.

One other road worth considering - you'll need a Virginia map - is the Bluegrass Highway (see: http://www.eilenberger.net/Trip_Reports ... y-Day3.htm).. I find the BRP sorta boring after a while. It's perfect turn after perfect turn after perfect turn. There are only two challenging turns on the entire Parkway (and both are marked with a sign showing a motorcyclist in the air heading for a stone cliff face..) The Bluegrass Highway to me is a much nicer road. It is a 2 lane back-road through small towns/hamlets, with lots of turns/twists/elevation changes, and almost NO traffic and only LEO's were in the small towns (just do the posted speed limit through the towns and you'll be fine.) It parallels I-81 to the north-west, which parallels the BRP. It's a seriously nice motorcycle road. Doesn't have the spectacular distractions the BRP does, but it is quietly very beautiful in spots.. and to me - much more fun to ride.

Have a great ride - it's one of my fav riding areas (and I'm still conniving on how I can get my annual West Virginia fix in this year and go to the RA rally and Nova Scotia..)

[mogu83]

Durham, NC ?????

[Bill Stevenson]

That area offers a bunch of awesome riding. All the roads are good. I would camp in preference to staying in inexpensive hotels. Inexpensive hotels attract a certain type of guest and I have found myself standing outside in the parking lot, in the middle of the night, because some fool fell asleep in bed with a cigarette going - three different times. Two of the three were in cut-rate motels. I sleep better in campgrounds knowing the other campers are not likely to do something that could get us all harmed up. Whatever accommodations you select, the riding is worth the trip. The only other thing you need to know is that there are a lot of deer throughout the park. Try not to ride during the dawn or dusk hours or at night when the deer are moving and an encounter with one could be fatal.

Bill

[hjsbmw]

Durham, NC ?????

Ja, my current hometown...

[mogu83]

I would take Rt86 to Danville,Va then West on Rt58 (nice road). Cross under the BRP at Meadows of Dan and you'll find a Mom and Pop motel just West of the BRP (on the right). Next day you could start South on the BRP. If you have never been on it don't miss the chance, not fast or technical but enjoyable. If you want to challenge yourself, try riding in only fourth and fifth gear and don't use your brakes in the turns. It's possible to do, and you don't have to exceed the posted speed limit (maybe a little, they let you have 5 MPH), you'll most likely also work up a sweat.
Try not to break any laws as the police (Rangers) will make you pay. Good news is on a weekday their are only two of them working the parkway in the state of Virginia (from a friend that lives on the BRP). Don't know what the situation is in NC but imagine it's similar.


Picked this list up at Willville Motorcycle campground. A great little motorcycle only campground right off the Blue Ridge on Rt58 in Meadows of Dan (almost across from the fore mentioned motel) http://www.willvillebikecamp.com/

Virginia Parkway Milepost Gas and Food Exits

US 250 – MP 0
US 60 – MP 45.6
US 501 – MP 63.9
US 460 – MP 95.9
VA 24 – MP 112.2
US 220 – MP 121.4
US 58 – MP 199.4
VA 89 – MP 215.8
North Carolina Parkway Milepost Gas and Food Exits

US 21 – MP 229.7
NC 18 – MP 248.1
NC 16 – MP 261.2
US 421 – MP 276.4
US 321 – MP 291.9
US 221 – MP 305
NC 181 – MP 312
US 221 – MP 317.5
NC 226 – MP 330.9
NC 226A – MP 334
US 70 – MP 382.4
US 74A – MP 384.7
US 25 – MP 388.1
NC 191 – MP 393.6
US 276 – MP 411.9
US 74/23 – MP 443.1
US 19 – MP 445.7
US 441 – MP 469

[mogu83]

My favorite Virginia/West Virginia Road; Rt16 from Volney,Va North through 'Hungry Mother State Park', stop in Fayetteville,WV check out the New River gorge Bridge and all the way to the Ohio line. 300 miles of twisties and the only road that I ever had to get off because I thought I was going to kill myself (I have a self control problem). I know I saw GOD, standing by the pearly gates, at least twice on that road. I've yet to do this road in one day and would really respect any rider that could.


Babcock SP near New River Gorge

[websterize]

Good lord, Harry, you really know the BRP. I was just reading about Virginia State Route 16 in Dale Coyner's "Motorcyle Journeys Though the Appalachains." In the coda, he calls VA16 the best new discovery:

Although it lacks the pure number of curves per mile that you'll find on the US 129 (The Dragon), it is far more accessible, being just off I-81 at Marion, Virginia. Traffic is virtually non-existent.

Sounds as if VA16 could give WV72 a run for its money.

[outnabout]

Keep in mind that in NC the BRP speeds are about 35 mph on the weekend in some areas and there can be a lot of congestion north and southwest of Asheville. I rode from Raleigh to Asheville last year with some friends and we camped and rode some portions of the BRP into Cherokee County. If you have a good map you can find some relatively traffic free roads that are very twisty just off the BRP. A little bit to the east of Asheville is NC Highway 9 south of Black Mountain (maybe on your way out?), it's a great ride with some pretty serious curves--I highly recommend it. Be ready for some temperature extremes as it may be 90 degrees in some areas and in the low 60s at higher elevations. I'm not sure about hotels, but you may want to check out Maggie Valley there may be some less expensive hotels there. Have fun!

[lynnboyd]

I rode parts of the BRP 3 or 4 weeks ago. It was closed south of Asheville down to where 151 comes in and also north of Asheville for some distance, not sure how far. One of the sections was closed due to construction and the other due to a rock slide. You might want to check whether those sections are open now. You can get on in Cherokee and ride up to 151, then take that up toward Asheville, but I'm not sure how far north of Asheville you'd have to go to get back on northbound.

[hjsbmw]

I would take Rt86 to Danville,Va then West on Rt58 (nice road). Cross under the BRP at Meadows of Dan and you'll find a Mom and Pop motel just West of the BRP (on the right).

That's a good suggestion, and I have ridden on it in the past in more than one occasion on my way to a conference at the university in Radford. I remember VA8 as being a great piece of road. Check it out when you can. It's short but twisty with raised cambers and all the good stuff. The interesting portion is between 57 and Floyd.

I looked into the motel situation, and indeed, even a Days Inn is $80 and up a night. My tent finally threw in the towel, and I donated it to the PTA last year. I dislike buying things in a rush but will look into that. The m/c campground you suggest even has cabins. That would at least be a solution for one night even without a tent.

Thanks for all the other suggestions.

[Motorcycle_Girl]

Keep the recommendations coming! I have a trip planned for WV and VA in August for two weeks....from the sounds of it my problem will be deciding where I am going to ride each day...I want to make sure I hit all the best roads. It sounds like two weeks may not be enough

Celeste

[mogu83]

[quote=" I remember VA8 as being a great piece of road. Check it out when you can. It's short but twisty with raised cambers and all the good stuff. The interesting portion is between 57 and Floyd.
Thanks for all the other suggestions.[/quote]

I've spent some time on VA8 and it is a challenge. The original point of entry onto the BRP was fancy Gap and 58 is only a few miles North so that's why I mentioned it. I think that campground only has one cabin so call ahead if that's the way your going to go. I have a bunch of friends (transplanted Yankees) that have settled down in Floyd County, Va both in Floyd and Meadows of Dan, and I would be there also if I could get Grandma (SWMBO) to move away from the grandkids. I usually get down there a few times a year and it takes me a day or so to get up to their level of craziness on those back roads.
Anyone that hasn't ridden the BRP (or part of it) should give it a try, if you want to get crazy just pick a road that goes East or West from the Parkway, your chances of getting caught are low, BUT your chances of getting hurt are high if you ride over your skill level. IMHO Skyline Drive is a waste of time.

[RedRider]

Just sitting down to plan a 7 day Aug trip to V & WV when I crossed this thread. Excellent suggestions & I look forward to riding some of these roads on our trip. Thanks all posters.

[danstl]

The Park Service has a website devoted to the parkway....just do a search on Google.

It has information on closures, etc. and they keep it up to date. I was getting ready to ride up there today and checked. The closures are due to heavy rain this spring and potential for dangerous slides. They had a big one a little over a year ago and it hsut part of the parkway for a while. The site says the closures will last until early July.

[deilenberger]

Keep the recommendations coming! I have a trip planned for WV and VA in August for two weeks....from the sounds of it my problem will be deciding where I am going to ride each day...I want to make sure I hit all the best roads. It sounds like two weeks may not be enough

Celeste

Uh... Celeste,

So far 5 summer trips hasn't been enough for just WV.. Hitting all the "best" roads in WV/VA in 2 weeks will require you doing about 10,000 miles..

[deilenberger]

Anyone that hasn't ridden the BRP (or part of it) should give it a try, if you want to get crazy just pick a road that goes East or West from the Parkway, your chances of getting caught are low, BUT your chances of getting hurt are high if you ride over your skill level. IMHO Skyline Drive is a waste of time.

I'll 2nd both of these thoughts. Going down off the BRP to get gas - went down one road (RT 43) coming down from near the Peaks of Otter where I was giggling in my helmet the turns were so tight (could see my taillight at times.. almost..) until we got to one corner where someone had obviously bit it bad.. and could see where the wrecker had dragged the bike carcass back to pavement (leaving a trail of oil and parts right in the corner..) Was a Goldwinger who got in over his head. Later saw the bike on the flatbed.. didn't look good at all.

IMHO Skyline Drive is a deer-infested BRP imitation they charge to ride at 35 MPH. Skip it and get on the BRP at Front Royal.. you won't have missed a thing.

[hjsbmw]

I would take Rt86 to Danville,Va then West on Rt58 (nice road). Cross under the BRP at Meadows of Dan and you'll find a Mom and Pop motel just West of the BRP (on the right). Next day you could start South on the BRP.

I ended up doing just that on Monday. Thanks for that suggestion Harry. Tuesday I rode from Meadows of Dan to Asheville and stayed at a Motel 6 on Tunnel Road, just a mile east of the Parkway. Today (Wednesday) I rode back on the BRP to around Boone, and from there the fast way home to Durham.

I really enjoyed it. Driving there felt a bit like a trip back in time: a narrow two-lane road, no traffic to speak of, nature all around, the occasional smell of cows and horses... Right now I am not too crazy about being back in my house.
At the posted speed limit it's relaxed riding. Dangerous spots are signed well in advance. There were a number of stretches with construction, but not a big deal. It did involve some waiting for pilot cars though.

It's good to stay alert though. I saw many wild animals walking close to the road. Some were small but some were larger. I did some hiking also and saw many deer in the forest. As someone said above, it's probably not the best idea to ride at night.

A black Roadster passed me on its way north. Anybody from the forum? We crossed each other in a curve, and (s)he seemed as startled as I was...

[Motorcycle_Girl]

Uh... Celeste,

So far 5 summer trips hasn't been enough for just WV.. Hitting all the "best" roads in WV/VA in 2 weeks will require you doing about 10,000 miles..

At least it sounds like I will have no shortage of roads...that is why I rely on guys like you to give me good suggestions...

Celeste

[mogu83]

Motorcycle_Girl I'll be spending the weekend at a Guzzi rally about 50 miles south of you in Westfield,NY. Then off to Laconia,NH.