Blue Ridge Parkway Trip

[Oldmsocko]

Oldmsocko, this is the type of sign I need. It has to have the name of the National Park and the words National Park. Hope you know of one.


Also for anyone else that knows of a sign like this for any of the other parks/forests along the Skylive/BRP/Cherahola. I would appreciate any info/locations.

Thanks

GARYD: Sorry I don't know of any.

 

[z80inside]

Oldmsocko, you say you live in NE Ohio. Here's a question. Do you know of an entrance sign saying "Cuyahoga Valley National Park" off of I80 between Cleveland and Akron???

QUOTE]

GARYD,

I may be able to help you with the "Cuyahoga Valley National Park" sign. Please double check the directions as I am going by memory. Take OH 303 (from I271) east into Peninsula, about a block after crossing a set of RR tracks is a 4 way stop, (this is the part that I am fuzzy about) at the 4 way stop, head south maybe 5 miles, there will be a NP sign on you left.

My wife and I also do the HOG ABC's and with the mild temps in March were able to collect a number of points for 2012 before loosing my job.

Also, in western PA is Allegheny National Forest nere Warren (4 Farm Colony Drive, Warren, PA).

Good luck.

 

[GARYD]

Thanks z80inside, I tried finding that sign, but was unsuccessful. It may have been in one of the dark shadow areas. Since I'll be riding with a few other riders going to Rolling Thunder, going that far off our route would be too time consuming. We will be staying the night in New Stanton, Pa. which is also out of the way to go to Allegany Nat. Forest.
I appreciate the info though just in case I will be traveling in that area by myself at a later date. ThumbUp

 

[cscsonny]

All earlier information is great about the Blue Ridge.My wife and I and several friends have ridden it many times.
WORD OF CAUTION,and this happened to us and another couple last time we rode the BRP.
You don't want to be in any of the higher elevation areas near or after dark.
Left our lodging in Cherokee for a day ride on the BRP and it was a beautiful,sunny day,temps around 75 degrees.We took longer on our return trip to Cherokee and thought we had enough time to get to our motel before dark.Didn't happen.About 40 miles from Cherokee a light misting rain started and the clouds began dropping,what the Smokey Mountains are named for,and visibility dropped to zero and it was still afternon daylight.
We had 2 choices,spend the night at a pull off with only our bike covers as protection or inch our way down to lower elevation and better visibility.We chose to not spend the night and took turns as lead bike due to strain on our eyes trying to see through that fog and clouds.
On a little funn note,my wife took a video of our friends and I standing about 15' in front of her and all you see is a gray screen and hear voices talking,at one of the pull-offs.
We do love riding the BRP,it's so beautiful as are all the mountaine ranges in the US,we have rode all them.

 

[Boom]

What a timely post. I'm also going that way on my way home to Chicago from Rolling Thunder at the end of May and beginning of June. I'm going north to south, starting at Front Royal. Doing the Skyline - BRP - and Cherahola. My delima is I also do the Harley ABC's each year so I'm trying to find all the county signs to take pictures of. I'm using Google street view to try and find them, but is not as easy as I thought it would be. I'll also be looking for National Park/Forest signs. If anyone has this kind of info handy - I would be forever grateful. ThumbUp

Gary,

If you do a Google map on Cherokee, N.C., zoom in on the rt. 441 and BRP intersection. You can take the little pedestrian figure and put him on rt. 441 and do a "walk-about". There is a sign "Smokey Mountain National Forest" on the north-bound side of 441 just south of the BRP if that is what you are looking for. Good luck!

 

[GARYD]

Boom, that's exactly what I'm looking for. Thanks.

Before going on an ABC's ride I always do the Google Street View search to find signs. Nothing's worse then riding 5 miles on a dirtgravel road just to find out there's no sign.

I love that little Google man.

 

[Blondie Gal]

All earlier information is great about the Blue Ridge.My wife and I and several friends have ridden it many times.
WORD OF CAUTION,and this happened to us and another couple last time we rode the BRP.
You don't want to be in any of the higher elevation areas near or after dark.
Left our lodging in Cherokee for a day ride on the BRP and it was a beautiful,sunny day,temps around 75 degrees.We took longer on our return trip to Cherokee and thought we had enough time to get to our motel before dark.Didn't happen.About 40 miles from Cherokee a light misting rain started and the clouds began dropping,what the Smokey Mountains are named for,and visibility dropped to zero and it was still afternon daylight.
We had 2 choices,spend the night at a pull off with only our bike covers as protection or inch our way down to lower elevation and better visibility.We chose to not spend the night and took turns as lead bike due to strain on our eyes trying to see through that fog and clouds.
On a little funn note,my wife took a video of our friends and I standing about 15' in front of her and all you see is a gray screen and hear voices talking,at one of the pull-offs.
We do love riding the BRP,it's so beautiful as are all the mountaine ranges in the US,we have rode all them.

Sonny, that sounds like the last few hours of our two-days-in-the-rain trip to Maggie Valley last June. We left Newport, TN, after dinner and found rain, fog and clouds the entire way over the mountain. Fortunately, we were with OldChile and his wife Pepper, and their trike illuminated parts of the road from behind us. John did a super job of getting us into Maggie Valley (at 2:30AM), and we undoubtedly woke up some of our triker buddies, but we got there without breaking our damn-fool necks. Hoping for some better weather this year!!

 

[hbrogan57]

All earlier information is great about the Blue Ridge.My wife and I and several friends have ridden it many times.
WORD OF CAUTION,and this happened to us and another couple last time we rode the BRP.
You don't want to be in any of the higher elevation areas near or after dark.
Left our lodging in Cherokee for a day ride on the BRP and it was a beautiful,sunny day,temps around 75 degrees.We took longer on our return trip to Cherokee and thought we had enough time to get to our motel before dark.Didn't happen.About 40 miles from Cherokee a light misting rain started and the clouds began dropping,what the Smokey Mountains are named for,and visibility dropped to zero and it was still afternon daylight.
We had 2 choices,spend the night at a pull off with only our bike covers as protection or inch our way down to lower elevation and better visibility.We chose to not spend the night and took turns as lead bike due to strain on our eyes trying to see through that fog and clouds.
On a little funn note,my wife took a video of our friends and I standing about 15' in front of her and all you see is a gray screen and hear voices talking,at one of the pull-offs.
We do love riding the BRP,it's so beautiful as are all the mountaine ranges in the US,we have rode all them.

AGREED!!!!! My first trip the the Parkway was back in the mid-eighties. We were traveling towards Mt. Mitchell and thought we had plenty of time. Well, that was not to be. Ended up with a cloud coming in and deciding it would stay. I spent the next few miles standing on the pegs of a 1982 GW looking over the fairing and, VERY SLOWLY, making my way to a campground. Fortunately, it was not full so we camped there ((unplanned)) for the night.

The next morning we worked our way down the mountain and spent a lovely morning having breakfast in Little Switzerland. These were unplanned activities but I wouldn't change a thing. It was a fantastic ride!!!!!

 

[Thomkm]

A lot of GREAT info.... Thanks Everyone....

 

[KYTrike]

Thanks for the info. We are doing this the last week of June 2012

 

[skuuter]

All of You doin' All or Parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway this year be sure to post "Pics-n-Reports".....ThumbUp

 

[TNTriker]

They have replaced the sign at the highest peak along the BRP. Was up there this past weekend! YEA

 

[Thomkm]

Thanks for the info. We are doing this the last week of June 2012

We are tentatively going a week from this Saturday...I do have some flexibility on my schedule so we will take a look at the 10 day weather forecast before we leave. The game plan right now it to drive to Knoxville 450 miles...and then take our time coming back north on the parkway....

 

[GARYD]

ooops

 

[GARYD]

Shuuter, the only pictures I'll be taking will be for Harleys ABC's of Touring contest. I'm more interested in riding then taking pictures, but I'll try to get some scenic ones for ya. ThumbUp

Two and a half weeks to go till Rolling Thunder and the ride home on the Skyline Drive/BRP/Cherohala.

CAN'T WAIT!!!!

Still looking for some help on National forest signs. Found one for Cherokee.
Looking for Washington, Jefferson, Pisgah, Hoosier, Nantahala and Shawnee.

 

[Thomkm]

Here is an update on our trip. We are leaving this Friday at 6AM driving to Front Royal Virginia (400 miles). We are planning on driving the Skyway and Parkway averaging 200 miles a day. This way we can make reservations for each night before we leave. Front Royal (Friday night).... Roanoke area (Sat.night)....Little Switzerland/Lindville Falls area (Sunday night)...Cherokee/Maggie Valley NC area (Monday night). Head back to Ohio staying someplace around 1/2 way. The daily mileage is low enough to give us time to enjoy the areas.

We have really appreciated all the suggestions on our original post and would like to have some suggestions on places to stay in these areas or any other suggestions on our game plan....ThumbUpThumbUpThumbUp

 

[427dave]

Thanks for all the information. I am thinking of doing the BRP from northern Wisconsin in early July, around the 9th or 10th. I am looking at a few other areas but the BRP is in the top 5 so far

 

[Blondie Gal]

I was born and raised in the East Tennessee, southwest Virginia and western North Carolina area - just reading these posts made me so very homesick.

I know we'll be there with the Rally next month, but I hope your own trip will create memories that bring happiness fifty years from now, as mine have.

 

[Gorilla]

Enjoy the ride it is great.

 

[Thomkm]

I was born and raised in the East Tennessee, southwest Virginia and western North Carolina area - just reading these posts made me so very homesick.

I know we'll be there with the Rally next month, but I hope your own trip will create memories that bring happiness fifty years from now, as mine have.

Thanks Blondie Gal... this trip has been on my bucket list for a long time, we are really looking forward to it. I wish we could make the rally next month but my schedule wouldn't allow it... Be Safe...ThumbUp

 

[GARYD]

Enjoy.
I'm leaving next Thursday for Rolling Thunder and then the Skyway/BRP/Cherohala. Also doing an average 200 to 290 miles per day. Side trips getting pictures for the ABC's of Touring contest.
Stopping at the casino in Cherokee to win a few $$$$ and then on to Athens,Tn. to see the plaque honoring the "Battle of Athens" to complete the journey.

The ONLY thing I'm concerned about is rain. I don't care what the temps are.

All that's left on my bucket list is riding to Alaska. Almost did it last year with another fellow.

 

[Thomkm]

Enjoy.
I'm leaving next Thursday for Rolling Thunder and then the Skyway/BRP/Cherohala. Also doing an average 200 to 290 miles per day. Side trips getting pictures for the ABC's of Touring contest.
Stopping at the casino in Cherokee to win a few $$$$ and then on to Athens,Tn. to see the plaque honoring the "Battle of Athens" to complete the journey.

The ONLY thing I'm concerned about is rain. I don't care what the temps are.

All that's left on my bucket list is riding to Alaska. Almost did it last year with another fellow.

I have been fortunate to have been to Alaska 3 times, Unfortunately not on my Trike. I am backing off on my work schedule and have gone to a 4 day work weeks and will probably retire next March. So I will be looking at some longer trips in the near future. This trip being the first. Safe travel GaryD ThumbUp

 

[billltrhd09]

My girl & I are getting married 21 June in Asheville NC then traveling on the BRP . We will be out for about 10 days and would like some help on what to see, where to eat and maybe some nice lodging recommendations?

 

[Boom]

Tom,

You will be getting some perfect riding weather while riding through Virginia this weekend! I've stayed at the Days Inn at Roanoke off the BRP a couple times. Nothin great but clean, cheap, and quiet. (601 Orange Avenue, near Civic Center---about 65 bucks/night) Bon voyage!

 

[Blondie Gal]

My girl & I are getting married 21 June in Asheville NC then traveling on the BRP . We will be out for about 10 days and would like some help on what to see, where to eat and maybe some nice lodging recommendations?

Can't imagine a more wonderful honeymoon than to come to our Rally in Maggie Valley (close to Asheville) and spend some time with us trikers!! We'll be there over the weekend and would love to help you celebrate this special event in your lives!! There are still a few rooms at the Microtel on Soco Road in Maggie Valley, and some of our members would be thrilled to tell you about the beautiful places to stay going 'up' the BRP!!

(By the way, best wishes and congratulations to both of you!!)

 

[Thomkm]

Well we made it home from a fantastic trip. The round trip was 1,680 miles. We had fantastic weather and had 2 hours of rain at the end of the Parkway. What a beautiful area and the people were so friendly and helpful. Keeping in mind that we are from the flat lands of Ohio, we were not used to driving on these kind of roads with the turns and heights. It was a real adrenalin rush for both of use. We are already talking about a return visit.

We have some pics that I will post when I can figure out how to do it...

Here are a few of our observations for anyone not familiar with the Parkway...

We would definitely get a copy of the Blue Ridge Parkway and Travel Planner..it was a life saver for us...

Pay close attention to the 6 places u can get on and off the Parkway... we made a mistake and took one of the small roads that u can take.... WOW I have a whole new respect for Thunder Road with Robert Mitchum...haha

If you use Verizon cell phones FORGET IT.... we had ours loaded with navigational stuff and had no signal 99% of the time.

When we go again we will probably go to the southern part of the parkway and spend more time roaming the area .. we are not the tourist type peeps and enjoy riding. We think the second half is nicer.

I feel like I had jet lag when we got home...I found my daily limit coming home 450 miles is about all I can handle...

I can't say enough positive comments on the wonder people of the area...they all had smiles and were very friendly, and welcoming.

Will post some more later with pics I hope...

 

[TNTriker]

Glad that you are home safe and you are VERY lucky you didn't see more rain on the BRP!

 

[Thomkm]

That is sooo true, we talked to some of the locals and they said it rained the entire week before we arrived... and we had NO fog....

Did have one scary incident when a new Mustang went left of center on a curve and almost took us out...fortunately he swerved at the last second.

 

[GARYD]

I just got back last Friday- Rolling Thunder, Skyline Drive/BRP/Cherohala Skyway - 3000 miles total - also got rain (heavy) the last 2hours on BRP. Everyone was off on overlooks - not me, I had 3 wheels and no fear. ThumbUp
I now know I can do the twisties almost as fast as any 2 wheeler - except rice rockets. One Ultra with trailer tried to keep up but couldn't in the corners - don't know if it was because of the trailer or the wife.
Got a great upper body workout - my forearms are like rocks.
Absolutely great week and a half.

90* in Washington and 49* in Indiana - glad I brought along some of my winter gear.

 

[Thomkm]

We have been watching the weather in that area since we got back... I think we dodged a bullet...

Would love to see that area in the fall with all the colors... if we do it again I think we might go directly to the last half of the Parkway and spend some time in the lower half...

Glad to hear u had a safe trip, GaryD...

Wifey is already looking at maps for our next adventure....