Planning a big trip and looking for route / lodging suggestions

[markmartin]

Hey All,

I've got a company training conference to attend in Memphis Tennessee this early July and I'm making a road trip out of it.  I'm going to load the FJ into my pickup, slab it down from central Maine to Winchester, Va. in one day (Northern Virginia close to skyline drive), park the truck, unload the bike, then take 4 or 5 days to ride to Memphis.

I'm looking for route advice for the ride to Memphis.  The general plan is to go through West Virginia and Kentucky and make my way down to south western Tennessee to Memphis.  I never traveled this region so if anyone has route suggestions or suggestions to good towns to spend the nights in along the way, or areas to avoid, I'd really appreciate it.

My wife is planning to meet me in Memphis for the ride back to Virginia, so the plan there is to ride from Memphis to Ashville, NC, and take the Skyline Drive/Blue Ridge parkway back to the truck. Suggestions for places to stay along this route would be welcomed as well. We love live music so if this is available along the way, I'd love to know about it. 

Thank you!

Mark M

[aviationfred]

I can't help much for the scenic routes through the state. My travels through have all been on the super slabs. I do know that pretty much any roads close to the Tn/Nc border are great for some kookaloo time. Chatanooga is a neat city tucked away in the mountains. There is always Graceland in Memphis, and the Grand ole Opry in Nashville.


Fred

[spsmith_fj1200]

West Virginia Department of Tourism website has information about different rides  http://www.wvmountainrider.com/default.aspx.

Depending when in July you are going through West Virginia the West Virginia Harley Owners Group rally  is in Huntington 7/8 - 7/11.

Seneca Rocks, West Viriginia is a nice ride, either from Winchester or using US 33 from Harrisonburg.

[PaulG]

These are some websites I've used, and sent to others on this forum too.  If you've never done the Blue Ridge before.... it's nice - but - the speed limit is max 45mph, and is strictly enforced, plus being July you will be at the back of a motorhome train most of the way.  It's a two day journey just to do the Blue Ridge/Skyline trek because of this.  If your in no particular hurry that's fine, and it has a lot to offer but there are plenty of roads through that general area that offer as good or better riding without that metallic foundry smell of burning brake pads and overheated rotors from those monster Winnebagos.

Some suggestions:  Cherohola Skyway, Tail of The Dragon (if on a weekday should be ok - but weekends are insanely busy), whatever other squiggly bits you can find on the map.  These sites have downloadable files for GPS units I think - though I've never tried them.

Also make sure you have some layers/cold weather gear/rainsuit handy.  Sounds odd but there are some rapid elevation changes and you can start off in hot sunshine and in 20 min be riding through a cloud layer (I've done it).  This is a great part of the US (TN, KT, NC, VA, WV) for riding because of the terrain and the close proxmity of all the roads to each other.  You could spent a month there just toodling around and rarely ride the same road twice.  With a little planning you can pack a lot in.

Just click on the state you want

http://www.motorcycleroads.com/


Highlight "Browse Routes" - hover your mouse over "The Americas" - then over "United States" (don't click it or you'll have to wait for 2400 routes to load!) - then click on the state you want.

http://www.bestbikingroads.com/

[Firehawk068]

As has already been stated, the roads around the Tennessee/North Carolina border and up into Virginia are the best you are going to see.
As you get over toward Nashville, and farther west to Memphis the land gets flatter, and the roads get less interesting.

If you are interested in getting off the bike for a bit, Grandfather Mt., and Chimney Rock Park(They filmed some of "Last of the Mohicans" here) in NC both have some great hiking trails and stuff to see. Definately worth checking out. http://www.chimneyrockpark.com/, http://www.grandfather.com/

Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge Tennessee will have just about anything You or your Significant-other would ever care to see or do. (very touristy attractions, and lots of shopping/dining)
For a change of pace, instead of a hotel, rent a private peaceful cabin for a couple nights. http://www.auntiebelhams.com/cabin-rentals/gatlinburg-cabins/

The Opryland Hotel in Nashville has a rain-forest inside that is really cool to see.http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/bnago-gaylord-opryland-resort-and-convention-center/.


Lots of gorgeous scenery, and no shortage of things to see and do in that part of the country.

[PaulG]

Oh yeah I forgot to tell you about The Two Wheel Inn, in Robbinsville, NC.

http://www.twowheelinn.com/

I stayed there for a night in April/13.  Each room has it's own bike garage with a roll up door controlled from your room.  It's in a great location, basically a few minutes from the southern tip of the Tail of The Dragon, and on the eastern terminus of the Cherohala Skyway.  The rooms are smallish, but you have the great garage for security and to do any maintenance on the bike if needed.

I would recommend it for a couple of days stay and use it as a base to travel around that area if you have the time.  That area is a mecca for bikers in the summer, so you will have to book ahead - like real soon.  They told us from May to Oct they are booked solid on weekends, but sometimes have something available during weekdays.  Mind you that was two yrs ago...

I actually preferred the Cherohala to the Dragon.  Suited the FJ better, and it's on a direct east-west path on your way to/from Memphis.  Make sure you check the NCDOT website http://tims.ncdot.gov/tims/ for road info.  They still have the odd washout or landslide as some of these roads have 1,000 or 2,000 ft drop offs into deep valleys.

I'm so envious.   

[Capn Ron]

You can't do this trip without running the Tail of the Dragon.  A master class in handling your bike and a load of fun!  If you end up in Robbinsville, I would also recommend the Phillips Hotel.  Covered parking for your FJ, shop towels to work on your bike, a nightly community fire and at $50/'night...a great bargain!   

If you're rolling through West VA/VA the 219 and 19 were great roads as an alternate to the 81.

There is a little chunk of heaven to be had with the 70 in Tennessee.  This bit:



Just a great tree-lined road with nary a car to be found for 45 miles.  Beautiful!!!

If you end up in Jackson, TN...don't stay at the Super 8...  You can read about my Graceland to Jackson experience here:

http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=10252.msg99154#msg99154

As others have mentioned...be prepared for about any sort of weather.  Anything from cold to rain to heat to snow.

I rode the ENTIRE length of the Blue Ridge Parkway (45 MPH) and Skyline Drive (35 MPH).  Gorgeous, but a several-day commitment.  You could do a 40-mile chunk of either one and you've got the general idea.  Just pop on it for a while...and then get back to making some miles.

You're in for a great ride through some spectacular mountains and valleys there.  Keep us posted as to your progress.  I'm envious!

[rlucas]

You can't do this trip without running the Tail of the Dragon.  A master class in handling your bike and a load of fun!

If you're in the area, do the Dragon. Preferably early in the week, unless you're fond of circuses. See it, ride it, get the T-shirt, take pictures for evidence...and then leave. There are too many other great roads in the area. Get the Butler map and just pick a road. Or even just a general direction. You really can't go wrong.


rossi

[Capn Ron]

I rode it on a Saturday at around 5:00pm with a rain storm coming in.  Had the road to myself!!!  I knew I had to hit it before the rain so I couldn't be picky...worked out great! 

[markmartin]

Fred, spsmith_fj1200, Paul G, Firehawk068, rlucas, and Capt Ron, thank you all for the great information.  I have read, investigated, and considered everyone's input.  It's a work on progress and all the information is a huge help! 

I was disappointed to read that the speed limit on the Skyline drive was down to 35mph. Back in 1982 the speed limit was 45mph, which meant 55 to us.  The park rangers were driving Ford Fairmount's and we were fortunate to not get the opportunity to meet one in person.

I've only got the first two days planned so far.  I'll update my progress as I make it.  (Google 'street view' is a godsend.)

https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Valley+Ave&daddr=39.0990644,-78.860342+to:38.8435946,-79.3745075+to:38.1917327,-80.3605729+to:37.931577,-80.8254489+to:Beckley,+WV+to:37.5597173,-82.4227694+to:37.4500427,-82.6925108+to:37.4442979,-82.789091+to:37.4346405,-82.8702662+to:37.3329758,-83.0418811+to:37.324082,-83.149032+to:37.1547347,-83.3181248+to:37.1302375,-83.4556686+to:37.0889614,-83.6913811+to:37.0854578,-83.9035396+to:Corbin,+KY+to:falls+creek+cabins,+ky+to:Cumberland+Falls&hl=en&ll=36.835668,-84.282389&spn=0.035996,0.084543&sll=37.005843,-83.680115&sspn=0.574656,1.352692&geocode=FZmUVQId8gJX-w;FbiaVAIdyq9M-ym748WovhK1iTFE68sX4nWanQ;Fcq0UAIdVddE-yn9mjF_riq1iTFN9stI_A1fKw;FXTCRgIdhMs1-ymJ9vztu3ZMiDEj6ngGVH6hnw;FTnKQgIdmLMu-ynZhNPQwp9OiDFbi9v82WAMLg;FfpyQAIdxCop-ynp4I5swvJOiDGrBiSZTIojxg;FaUdPQIdD1QW-yljv6rK0G9FiDGa39ktlwTPwA;FTpxOwIdYjYS-ylfRranVBZFiDG5wUPg83x2xg;FclaOwIdHb0Q-ykteWgL8hhFiDEkxUjgvDDAyw;FRA1OwIdBoAP-ylrT1pXmx9FiDHtCAZqj73oSg;Fe-nOQIdp-EM-ym57JEUdNtEiDEuClu1CGXdxg;FTKFOQIdGD8L-ympt-L0OcREiDHiHOpvR10tGg;Fa7vNgIdlKoI-ym7V0XQYLREiDFUqtISr_fXxQ;Ff2PNgIdTJEG-ykhPMOfO61EiDEL41VUzs6CZg;FcHuNQIdi_gC-yn1E9yviaxciDGNXOoNKLKu_A;FRHhNQIdzbv_-ikTkEAeu7VciDHv5Y7MMGYMFg;FdvKMwIdlMj8-ikv8UMPjEVDiDF0oeKkwWy4yw;FdApMgIdEk76-iFE6Dbg7AnjRil__IYIkt9ciDFE6Dbg7AnjRg;FWQbMgIdpgP5-iHUY94dayIJbym1xS6UkiFdiDHUY94dayIJbw&oq=cumberland+falls&dirflg=ht&mra=ls&via=1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15&t=m&z=14&source=gplus-ogsb&output=classic&dg=feature

[Capn Ron]

I highly approve of that route choice!   

I rode up through that area of West Virginia and the 28 should be spectacular!  Thanks for taking us along for the ride!

[Arnie]

Tip:

For those of you using Google Maps and wanting to share a route you can either post the whole huge URL as seen in markmartin's post, OR you can tick the "short URL" box in the link panel and get this:
   
    http://goo.gl/maps/vjJw5

Both links work identically, but this "short URL" is much easier to copy if you can't just copy/paste between devices.

Arnie

BTW: This looks like a very interesting ride :-)

[Firehawk068]

You better post up a nice big ride report, with lots of pictures of your journey! Or we'll hunt you down!  

Enjoy the adventure.
I'm not gonna lie. I am jealous!

[markmartin]

Great tip Arnie, thanks.  That's much better.

Alan, Thanks, I sure will.

[PaulG]

Looks like a great trip. You will have Popeye's forearms by the end of it.  Just keep an eye out for those banjo players....    Lots of squiggly bits for that daily workout.  Who needs jogging?