Blue Ridge Parkway ride

[rmarkr]

Hi all
I will riding the BRP from north end (From Royal VA) to close to the south end (Deals Gap/Tail of the Dragon) area starting about 10 - 11am Friday 4th May, and overnighting near the VA/NC state line - depending on progress.
The weather window looks good; I've been promising myself this treat for some time.
I have accommodation available in Vienna VA (near DC - my start point) .

To get there I will be riding up the eastern seaboard from Hilton Head Island SC, starting Tues morning 1st May through SC, NC and overnighting in Norfolk/Virginia Beach, then via Salisbury, Annapolis, Alexandria to Vienna on Wednesday.

Anyone want to come along? Anyone taking a similar route?

Mark
:heart
K100 RS

[Rasbutan]

You should stop off at the GA moutain rally next weekend.

Check out the where and when section

http://www.bmwmoa.org/happenings/whereandwhen.htm

[sjbmw]

Mark, watch out for the LEOs. Skyline Drive is 35mph, and they will enforce it.
Got nailed for 50mph on a downhill.

[rmarkr]

Thanks Herb and "bike thief"
I will try and make it to the rally - it looks like fun. I figured there would be a good few bikes headed south to it.
But help me out here (I had to do the constitution quiz recently :usa )
I have a fancy radar/laser detector on the bike.
Are they legit in all states, and if not, can they merely be turned off, or must they be removed?
And with due respect to the law enforcement members, can they detect a detector.
Also, are the cops biker friendly? Will they be lenient if one is correctly dressed, papers in order etc?

Mark
:nono

[john1691]

Have a safe ride. Watch for the deer, who, thanks to city dwellers who stop to feed/photograph them, are as tame as house pets and won't get out of your way. Take your camera and share some pictures with us when you return. Don't expect any leniancy from LEO's, drive the limit and you wont need the detector. Save the speed for less congested/less enforced areas and it will be cheaper for you. Have fun and be safe!

[ltljohn]

Radar detectors are illegal in the state of Virginia. As far as I remember they must be removed and stored away. The State Police also have detector detectors.

[rmarkr]

Thanks Guys
I'll take it easy, and stash the radar detector.
I'll posts some pics when I get back.

Mark

K100RS

[Rasbutan]

Thats a slick lookin ride there!!!

:thumb

[DanGreene]

Very nice bike my friend. Have fun.

[2BikeMike]

Mark, if you have never ridden the BRP,you are in for a real treat. I can never make any decent time because I find myself stopping to admire the beauty and solitude so often. If you are close to the 248 mile marker and looking for overnight accomadations, checkout The Stations Inn at Laurel Springs,NC, it's about 30 miles south of the VA.- NC stateline. They cater to the motorcycle crowd and it's a great place to relax,:fart have dinner:eat and enjoy a cold brew:beer . I've stayed there a few times and have always been well received. I am not connected to the afore mentioned business. Just trying to pass along some info.

[zinger]

Mark, sent you a private message, didn't wanna tie up space in forum,
d'you get it?
Wanted to see if we can hook up for BRP ride..

z :p

[sjbmw]

What a beautiful flyin' brick. I like dats a lot.

yup, the trick to the SLD or the BR is how many stops you make to enjoys the vistas!

[robsryder]

Radar detectors are illegal in the state of Virginia.

I have seen articles in various places that indicate that the Virginia law against radar detectors is unlikely to withstand a serious challenge through the legal system. Thus far no one has wanted to expend the resources and time to let the courts determine the constitutionality of the Virginia law. If you are looking for adventure of a different sort, then you could be the one to cause the Virginia law to be thrown out.

I find that the 45 mph speed limit on the BRP is about right for me. I wouldn't want to do the whole thing is a single day. There is at least one other thread about the BRP. Here is a link to my input to that earlier thread, including links about things to see and places to stay.
http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?p=187471#post187471

Have a good ride! If the weather looks half-way decent I'll be heading down towards the GMR also around that time.

[bluehole]

I remember thinking the speed limit was going to be a problem while getting ready to get on the BRP last year. For me the speed limit is fine. Like 2BikeMike said, I found it hard to make "good" time because I was either stopping to take in the views or at least slowing down to appreciate a section of the parkway. I think you will enjoy this trip...sounds like you have this planned out well.

[2BikeMike]

The BRP is the finest road that I have had the privilege of riding on. One of the moto mags said that in todays world it is highly doubtful that the tree huggers would allow this road to be built. I tend to agree. Thank God for the folks who had the foresight to build this road.:clap

[rmarkr]

Thanks for the input and encouragent all. It sounds like it will be a real treat.
I have brought my plans forward a day, and plan to spend Thursday nite at Stations inn. (thanks 2bikemike) This will give me some time to make the GA rally.
By the way Robsmoto, Zinger is also talking about meeting along the way; he is also from OH.
I will be on the bike from early Monday, but can check in with my pda/phone/gps.
See ya on the road!
Mark
K100RS

[robsryder]

Well I've just checked the Weather Channel's website for the National forcast.
http://tinyurl.com/32xp59

Looks like a wet weekend in Asheville, NC and Hiawassee, Ga.

Last year I went to sunny and dry Iowa for "my" Ga Mtn Rally. This year I'm looking at heading along the northern part of Pa on Rt. 6. The write-up in the May 2007 Rider made this route look pretty compelling (and it won't be soaking wet!)

Y'all that are heading down the BRP - ride safely!

[2BikeMike]

Doesn't it rain in Hiawassee about every year?:violin

[ddorwart]

I typically ride from Philly to Dallas, Texas about 6-7 times a year. Houses in both cities and no better way to get there. I did this route when I had nothing but time to get to Dallas. Give yourself plenty of time in the Carolina/Tennessee area. It's worth it- ride safe and good luck.

[Greengo]

I'm very fortunate to live about 16 miles from the BRP and ride it frequently. I hope to ride south to Smokey Mountain NP some weekend soon.

A couple of weeks ago, I was on the BRP and about a mile before getting to Peaks of Otter Lodge, I encounted some very fine, almost sand like, gravel in a sharp curve. In a blink of an eye, I found myself trying to keep my bike upright. Fortunatly I was able to and there were no other car coming the other direction...to which I traveled...into the other lane that is!

When I returned home I wrote an email to the NPS to let them know of the hazard. Following a couple of emails back and forth, I eventually got an email from one of the supervisors assuring me that the problem had be taken care of. Did you get that? Within a span of several hours, a dangerous situation had been removed, thanks to the great response I got from the NPS. Oh, did I mention that the supervisor also rides a motorcycle? It's great to have a friend in high places, isn' it?

So what's my point? There could still be this black sand on other parts of the BRP left over from this winter...mainly on the areas of higher altitude, like Peaks of Otter, I suspect these places to be few and far between.

Have fund, ride safe. Oh, and the speed limit on the BRP is 45 mph and tha's a good speed. There are many curves to enjoy, even at the modest speed of 45. :thumb

[rmarkr]

Had a great ride over/under the Chesapeake bridge/tunnel and around the Chesapeake area with Steve (K100RT) Perfect weather and some fine riding - narrow twisting roads, no traffic, a ferry ride and beautiful countryside.

I got to Vienna OK, after an anxious ride around the 495 beltway - heavy, fast moving traffic on an unfamiliar road. I met Zinger in Front Royal and set off down Skyline Drive, into cooler weather that soon took a turn for the worse. Light rain started and soon we found ourselves peering through thick mist at the higher elevations. Progress was slow - probably averaging no better than 30 mph. When we were really wet, cold and bedraggled Zinger made us a cup of boiling hot coffee on the road!. His big GS appeared to be equipped with everything! We sloshed into Roanoke for the nite and got ourselves dried out. Zinger had to fight off the busty hotel receptionist who was more than willing to warm him up!
8768
Set off again into the mist and made it to Boone NC, called it a day, and rode down the mountain onto dry tarmac! Then the best ride to Elizabethton (near Johnson City TN). We stoped just in time as a heavy downpour came thundering through town. On Saturday morning we parted ways, Zinger to the north, I headed south, over the mountains, endured very heavy rain from Spartanburg SC to Columbia, then it cleared for the last 100 miles home.
Despite the few days of wet weather we enjoyed the adventure - memory material. The bikes never missed a beat, although the riders had a few heart stopping moments. I'll do it again tomorrow!
Mark,
K100RS

[2BikeMike]

[QUOTE]Light rain started and soon we found ourselves peering through thick mist at the higher elevations. Progress was slow - probably averaging no better than 30 mph. When we were really wet, cold and bedraggled Zinger made us a cup of boiling hot coffee on the road!. His big GS appeared to be equipped with everything! [QUOTE]
I've had some trips like that, very memorable indeed!:nod Glad you got home safe.:thumb P.S. the attachment did not work. Try it again.

[rmarkr]

8781
Zinger in the mist

[2BikeMike]

I have definately been there, done that!:ha

[zinger]

Haha, hey Mark, how 'bout that shot of you at motel? Guys really ought
to know what sort of foot protection we used on the trip.
Wish now I'd taken a picture of Sandra....just to share with everyone
here. :banghead

goran

[rmarkr]

8808

This is how we keep our boots dry in the South - take them off when it rains!