Skyline Drive

[R65_Steve]

It's worth doing...once.

The northern end of the BRP is a lot like it, but a few mph faster. Scenic, but all the scenery goes down. After a couple hundred miles I missed the feeling of riding IN the scenery instead of flying above it all. I'd take twisty breaks when the GPS showed a particularly inviting side road, then return to the BRP to soldier on. A bit south of Roanoke it got much better all the way to the end. But I'd definitely avoid it on weekends.

Skyline and the northern part of the BRP is relaxing. The southern part is exciting. There's a riding style for each.

Pete

Please talk more about the southern end. I have only ever driven/ridden SLD and the top of BRP.

How is it exciting? What makes it different?

[jnrugg]

All the feedback has been great!

Thank goodness I have my own office @ work.


I can't leave Ct. until Saturday @ noon, so I will be staying in Md. overnight.
Depending on time and weather will determine Skyline or not.

I Plan on camping at Doughton (Sunday) then to Ironhorse for 2 days before heading to Natchez Trace and Lebanon.
It all depends on weather of course, but looks like occasional t-storms and 80s.
The more I plan the more I wish my wife and/or daughter could come.
My daughter rides.

The trip home will be more hi-way.

[jnrugg]

Please talk more about the southern end. I have only ever driven/ridden SLD and the top of BRP.

How is it exciting? What makes it different?

From Ashville and south it gets more twisty and steeper.
The highest point on the BRP is on this section, 6300+ feet.

[robsryder]

A couple of weeks ago it appeared that the Doughton Park campground was closed, but it may be open now.

Real time BRP status can be found at the link below -
https://www.nps.gov/maps/full.html?m....7339/-80.4018
https://www.nps.gov/blri/index.htm

An alternate location for camping consideration is the Willville motorcycle camp near the BRP at the Meadows of Dan (rt 58) exit.
http://www.willvillebikecamp.com/

The BRP is great for motorcycles during the weekdays. If you need to challenge yourself without fear of getting a speeding ticket,
take most any road off of the BRP. For example, take Rt. 58 south towards Stuart, Va. The speed limit was posted in most places
as 55 mph, but earlier this week I was unwilling to do much more than 35 mph and mostly was in 2nd and 3rd gear.

Earlier this week the temps at lower elevations were in the mid 90s, but on the BRP around Meadows of Dan it was a comfortable
77 degF.

[mlytle]

From Ashville and south it gets more twisty and steeper.
The highest point on the BRP is on this section, 6300+ feet.

yup, then it ends in an area with even better roads to ride on!

[MHRUTTER]

Just so you know, unlike the BRP, the Skyline Drive has, I believe, only two exit points between the north and south entrances. Pretty as it was I was frustrated with an average speed of about 25mph during one ride and couldn't just duck off easily.

If you are coming down the BRP a nice side route is US 221 between Blowing Rock and Grandfather Mountain were you can get back on the Parkway. You will miss the Linville Viaduct which is interesting, but you will also avoid the 35 MPH speed limits around the Moses Cone and Julian Price Parks.

[glenfiddich]

Please talk more about the southern end. I have only ever driven/ridden SLD and the top of BRP.

How is it exciting? What makes it different?

As others have pointed out, the southern part has a lot more twisties. Both are nice rides, but the south is exciting while the north is more relaxing.

I ended up doing Skyline Drive yesterday as a sidecar setup issue made high speed runs a bit of a struggle for me. (Fixed now, thanks to a rider who read about my plight and showed up with the tools I needed, not the tools I brought with me!) Anyway, much of the scenery this spring is hidden behind brush and trees. I spoke with a crew doing some clearing on the southern end of Skyline and was told that much of the routine chores had been delayed by funding issues. They are now working their way north

Pete

[thejones]

Skyline Drive is worth doing, didn't remember it being $25 but it was 8 years ago for me.

Waynesboro to Boone is meh, I would jump off & slab it down to Boone. South of Boone to Cherokee is the best riding.

Riding gets really good west of Cherokee, just so many great roads down there.

[PGlaves]

Skyline Drive is worth doing, didn't remember it being $25 but it was 8 years ago for me.

It is, I believe, a National Park. Thus the fee. I haven't been there in years but the fees at Big Bend National Park just went up. And, the fee for a lifetime Geezer (62+) Pass went from $10 to $80 last July.

[john1250gs]

I rode Skyline Dr. north to south and then the entire BRP last year on my Harley. Plan on going south to north after the rally on my 1250GS HP. I got the senior NP pass....when it was $101 mountain view 1.jpg

[gsinnc]

Even at $80 the Senior LIFETIME pass is truly a bargain!

[jnrugg]

I made it home but the bike is still in Md.
Final drive issue.
I ended up doing Skyline and BRP.
Heavy fog and rain diminished it a bit.
BRP was closed south of Floyd so it took time to get back, but I had ridden that part before.
Regardless of bike problems on the way home it was well worth it.
I appreciate all the comments.