333 miles of blueridge parkway coming up

[Goetz]

going to take my first real vacation in a LOOOONG time, cant wait. Has anyone done this, or part of this route? its all parkway, any tips on good places to eat or gass up would be appreciated. Thanks!


trip2 by goetzjordan, on Flickr

trip route by goetzjordan, on Flickr

[racerman_27410]

Meadows of Dan   (hwy 58)  gas and good food at Po Farmers market.  that also looks to be about the midpoint of your proposed route.  There is also a really nice motorcycle campground there.

http://www.willvillebikecamp.com/


LOOK OUT FOR WILDLIFE!     A deer jumping out in front of you is not unusual on the pkwy.... especially in the mornings (before 10)  and the evenings (after 4) but they can come out of nowhere at any time so cover your brakes and be prepared.... especially where the vegetation is close to the road.

I would avoid riding on the parkway at night at all costs..... you WILL meet a deer up close and personal... i promise you!  

True story....I have personally seen a male peacock @ full display standing on the double yellow in the middle of a pretty tight corner!  Talk about distractions!   (they are not native to NC)

I have also been surrounded by so many deer near Sparta (hwy 21) that i could barely idle down the road.... bastards were almost tame and there were literally hundreds of them all over the road and ditches!


LOOK WHERE YOU WANT THE MOTORCYCLE TO GO AT ALL TIMES!!!!!    

Never ever look off the side of the road while either entering or while in a corner or for that matter even while riding in a straight line!...... look where you want the motorcycle to go and thats where it will go.
If you think you are going too fast for a corner then just lean the bike over further and look for the exit....... DO NOT LOOK OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD!

there are tons of super nice views but if you want to look at them?  Be smart, pull over and get out the camera!

Have fun!   If i wasnt going out of town i would join you...  Remember that speeding tickets given to NC residents by park rangers dont count points against our NC state drivers license     However the park rangers can issue you a FEDERAL ticket and they control how much money they can charge you.... the minimum is 80.00 but they can charge up to 1500.00
I have it firsthand that you would need to be doing at least three fk'd up things to get a 1500 ticket though (like speeding while passing on the double while wheelying with a passenger on the back!   the two times i have gotten ticketed it was just 80 bucks per.... i even asked one ranger if i could just give him 160.00 now and let him wave the checkers for me when i came back thru later that day?
 

Do the EXACT speed limit in the reduced speed zones (this is where the rangers hang out and where i got my tickets). .... you can usually get away with 10 over the rest of the time.

My FJ @ Mabry Mill




Kookaloo!

Frank

[1tinindian]

Frank, I love it when you show off that picture...makes me want to be there, just that much more!

Goetz, have a safe trip and post up some pictures of your adventure when you get back home.

Leon

[Goetz]

will do, and thanks, racerman! ill be loading up the flikr acct with pics after i get to my dad's place in VA. The parkway is in his freaking backyard and he doesnt ride...

[weymouth399]

If I was doing that loop. I would plan 1/2 day to run HWY421 from Boone to almost Bristol turn around and go back, then if there was time I'd prob do it again.    I never suggest doing a road twice but when you ride HWY 421 THE SNAKE you will understand. 5 days my wife and I did 955 mi on the 86, I bet a 1/3 of it was 421 I rode it all 5 days.
I was there about a month or so ago it was awesome.

We did parts of the BRP, Frank is very right about the animals on the road. I've seen lots of animals on that road the little I've been on it.

Enjoy the yourself ride safe and tell us about it.

If it rains be carefull of sand and rock debris on roads down there in the corners, can get bad.

Bob W

[Tiger]

  You can't help but to enjoy that ride/area

We came on to the Blue Ridge Parkway via Charlotte, (in May this year), where we had stayed the night before at a buddies place.

The Best Western in Maggie Valley was our stay over place for two nights. Next to the hotel is a sports bar with great food and ice cold beer

From there we rode 'The Dragon', Diamondback and Cherohala Skyway before riding back to Charlotte, via the Blue Ridge, for the night and then heading home to Canada the following morning.

A great five days, (1 day down/1 day back and 3 days of fun), packed with a lot of riding and great weather...

John.

[Goetz]

 
What a trip!!!!
I learned a LOT about... well... a lot!

1)people who ride goldwings are super nice and will help you to, say, tighten your drive chain when you leave your toolbag in the garage
2)cagers suck even more at 3000ft
3)1985 fj1100 is the best bike ever
4)if you dont securely fasten the air scoops, they will fly away.
5)Replacement air scoops cost 95 shipped from fleabay
7)there are a lot 8f bugs up there for this time of year, my faceshield is FILTHY
8)hitting a monster pothole at speed is no fun, and may cause catastrophic fork seal failure... Which can be remedied with one 6mm allen wrench, one 12mm socket, a pair 8f gloves, and desperation. For real, dont leave without a toolkit.

Beautiful ride, next time im starting down at Deals Gap. Will post pics later, have a kookaloo day

[FJmonkey]

Sounds like in spite of your issues you had a really good ride. Post up the pics. Which reminds me that I have not posted the Renagade pics from Napa last weekend. I will post mine if you post yours... 

[racerman_27410]

I understand your cage frustration... lots of leaf lookers up there right now.

Glad your adventure was successful! 


KOokaloo!


Frank