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Blue Ridge Parkway

G

garyjmargolis@gmail.com

New member
I'm planning to ride the Blue Ridge to/from Asheville with a buddy the week of April 3. I am having an impossible time finding a standard multi-day itinerary. All the websites get to about 50% of the recommendations and then fall short (at least the ones I can find).

Anyone have an itinerary with lodging recs that they would be willing to share? I'll shower you with praise.

Thanks,
Gary
 
Most of the places for food on the BRP will not open until May 1. There are no gas stops on the parkway, but there are places off the parkway to get fuel, food, and for lodging.

The status of the parkway (e.g. closed sections due to fallen tree removal) can be found on the link below -

https://www.nps.gov/blri/index.htm

Following is another website related to the BRP (with links for lodging, food, attractions, etc.) -

https://www.blueridgeparkway.org/

The pace that one takes to complete the BRP (and you might as well include Skyline Drive that is just north of the BRP) is up to each individual. I found that a 3 or 4 day trip on a motorcycle with my wife was comfortable. We stopped at various locations to rest, eat, hike a bit, and see stuff. In early April one should be able to make lodging arrangements on a day-to-day basis. This would not work for travel in the fall when the leaves are at the peak color.
 
If they are now open to visitors, DO NOT MISS this pit-stop!
https://sierranevada.com/visit/north-carolina/taproom/
:beer
I've ridden many sections of the BRP at different times, but IMHO, don't get hung-up on riding the whole thing. It can be repetitious and tedious after awhile depending on the weather and "traffic" (aka Slowpokes). You can only go as fast as the caravan of cars stuck behind a pulled camper that you're now following... I know the park police can be overly intrusive because there are limited legal passing zones {maybe depends on their current levels of staffing & revenue production quotient...} Lastly, try to see if the sections you're planning are all Open - - we've been surprised by Construction Closures and mandatory, poorly-signed Detours! Hey, every outing is an ADVenture! Just Ride your own Ride, and don't sweat the small stuff.

Happy Trails on the BRP - Ciao!
HSV-Karen & HSV-Phil
USN-Ret'd —&— USAF-Ret’d
'09 650GS-twin — '14 K-GT
'82 R100CS ——— '75 R90S
'16 R1200RS —-— ’05 Vespa 200L
:nod
 
If one has time and interest there are many other interesting motorcycle routes near the BRP. Following are some links to such routes -

https://www.appalachianbackroads.com/

https://www.scenicbeauty-va.com/great-motorcycle-routes/

https://motorcyclelawgroup.com/news-resources/best-motorcycle-roads-in-va/

https://www.motorcyclenerd.com/post/travel-5-unmissable-motorcycle-routes-in-virginia/

https://www.virginia.org/places-to-visit/scenic-drives-and-byways/motorcycle-riding/

https://www.motorcycleroads.com/motorcycle-rides-in/virginia

https://www.motorcycleroads.com/motorcycle-rides-in/north-carolina

https://greatmotorcycleroads.com/north-carolina

https://www.motorcyclenerd.com/post...n-north-carolina-guide-routes-north-carolina/

https://www.landmarkvacations.com/blog/10-great-motorcycle-rides-in-north-carolina/
 
If it's open, maybe ride it from Skyline Drive down to Ashville and then ride all the more fun stuff on your way back up.
I can't speak to anything south of Roanoke Va but as you get north of Roanoke, take the westerly route heading into WV and you'll be in motorcycle heaven.
Take a day trip into Marlinton and up towards Snowshoe Ski Area and then start heading back east. You'll love those areas.
 
Welcome to the forum Gary.
Peaks of Otter Lodge on the Parkway is not open until May. The restaurant is also closed until May.

We have stayed several times at the Wattstull Inn at Buchanan Virginia and really like it.
It has a good restaurant within walking distance and also a Shell station.
https://wattstullinn.com/lodging/

Wattstull (6).jpg

Wattstull (1).jpg
 
Fall Out on the pavement!
Two Bikes, Facing Me!!!

OMG! Two Immaculately Clean RS's in formation.
Someone's fer sure, got CDO! Jus Sayin....

That's OCD, Only Spelled Correctly! :laugh
 
Like Rob said- there are some closures that will extend well beyond the typical seasonal stuff that occurs annually. For example- there are a couple of sections around Roanoke VA that will be closed because the road is no longer there. Got washed out in heavy rains and such last summer. Last I heard these closures are scheduled to mid May, but could extend into June.

Basically- you will have to bail from the BRP well south of Roanoke, and find an alternate around the entire town. You should be able to get back on @460 from what I can see. (Maybe 24, but that just depends on how you choose to get around Roanoke)

With the snow, rain, snowmelt, and all that yet to come on the BRP- you better believe that anything you plan for today might not be worth a damn tomorrow.
 
Asheville

This is very helpful. Thank you.
I’m actually flying into Asheville and don’t believe that we will get that far north.
Any advice for riding southern portions? Places to stay?



BrianAMcPhail said:
Like Rob said- there are some closures that will extend well beyond the typical seasonal stuff that occurs annually. For example- there are a couple of sections around Roanoke VA that will be closed because the road is no longer there. Got washed out in heavy rains and such last summer. Last I heard these closures are scheduled to mid May, but could extend into June.

Basically- you will have to bail from the BRP well south of Roanoke, and find an alternate around the entire town. You should be able to get back on @460 from what I can see. (Maybe 24, but that just depends on how you choose to get around Roanoke)

With the snow, rain, snowmelt, and all that yet to come on the BRP- you better believe that anything you plan for today might not be worth a damn tomorrow.
Click to expand...
 
This should be a fun trip. As you head South from Asheville, you'll pass a stop (if you care to make it) called "Devil's Courthouse." There's a parking lot and a trail up to the top for a great view. I'm not sure what the milemarker is for this spot.

DSC_5572.jpg

DSC_5574.jpg
 
Thank you for posting that Voni. I had to deal with some snow up here, and didn't get to send the reference.

The BRP is always a treat but safety is important:

IMG_3599.JPG
 
First week of April!
The parkway mostly runs at elevation, especially either side of Asheville.
Unless you get a magical 3 day window of travel, your going to see wet & chilly. Early spring... a "nice" day 4 likely will not happen.

And since there's not many/no leaves on the trees, you'll see farther and be tempted to ride faster.
And quite possibly get a performance award, as the authorities may be looking to "send the message" as their work season begins.
 
flyhi2cfar said:
First week of April!
The parkway mostly runs at elevation, especially either side of Asheville.
Unless you get a magical 3 day window of travel, your going to see wet & chilly.
Click to expand...

Good point John. I’ve used the BRP to get to the MOA Fontana Getaway in late April a couple of times. I saw temps in the high 30s and low 40s often. Heated gear was cranked.
 
flyhi2cfar said:
First week of April!
The parkway mostly runs at elevation, especially either side of Asheville.
Unless you get a magical 3 day window of travel, your going to see wet & chilly. Early spring... a "nice" day 4 likely will not happen.

.
Click to expand...

Sometimes you get lucky.
1986 we had planned to return home to Iowa from Florida taking a southern route.
It was the first week of April and the weather was perfect so we thought we would try the Parkway and Skyline Drive.
The weather was great all the way up to D.C.
It was nice not having leaves on the trees and the valleys did not have the normal haze.

We did have to hold up in Gettysburg 2 days because of snow west of us. That worked out also. We had been camping but got a motel in Gettysburg.
Took one day off and the other day we took a tour bus through the park.

March 1986_0045.jpg
 
Here are a couple of views taken along the road in early April 2016. They make it clear why it's call the "Blue Ridge."


IMG_2561.jpg


IMG_2531.jpg
 
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