Help, Planning a Blue Ridge Parkway Trip

[bandit600]

I'm planning a trip to the end of the Blue Ridge Parkway and back starting at the beginning of Skyline Drive in Front Royal , VA.

I'm sure a number of you have made a similar trip so I have some questions:

1. Speed limit on BRP is 45 mph. In your experience is it safer to stick to under 50mph or is 60mph okay... basically how ana are the Park Police? Anyone gotten a ticket, what was the speed they quoted you at... I know the BRP has some tight negative radius turns and it's best to be safe just wondering what the margin of error is.

2. Given the speed limit and the nature of the roads is it reasonable to plan to do ~300 miles in a day or is that pushing it? This will be my longest ride to date but I have done 225 miles in a single day a couple times although they were majority highway.

3. Any suggested places to stay for the night? I'm trying to do it on the cheap but wasn't planning on doing any camping so a motel nearby or reasonably priced cabin is what I was looking for.

4. Are there any signs on the BRP indicating how far to the nearest town if you get off the BRP on a side road. To stop for gas or eat some food or just take a break etc...

5. Any must see landmarks or places to eat

6. Any BRP / motorcycle specific books or websites you might recommend would be great.

Sorry this is such a long post. Thanks in advance for any help.

[fireguzzi]

You might want to rethink the miles you plan to do. The B.R.P is CURVY! FOREVER! It might wear ya out quicker then you are used to. Some parts are VERY curvy for miles and miles. I would keep that in mind. Thats all I got.

[bandit600]

The B.R.P is CURVY! FOREVER!

I know

I'm thinking I'll try to break the trip into 200 - 250 mile days which should be manageable with hourly rest breaks...

[gsJack]

I rode parts of the BRP quite a few times but mostly the southern part from I-77 down to the end near Cherokee, the southern part is the hilliest and twistiest part and the most fun. The northern part thru Virginia is quite tame but nice scenery. Law enforcement is quite strict at times and we ran 50-55mph mostly on the parkway which is fast enough for most on the southern end, don't recall ever going over 65-70mph on the BRP and then only briefly. Usually did 400 mile first and last days from NE Ohio to get down the the BRP for the fun times. Here's a lot of info that might answer most of your questions:

http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/index.php

[bandit600]

Thanks for the tips. Any luck getting Verizon cell phone service along the BRP ? I'll have my smartphone with me but I'm not sure how much I can count on it...

Thanks for the link I've been going through that site trying to find good information. It's been helpful. I'm also getting a book from the library on how to prepare for a multi-day motorcycle trip.

[RockBottom]

I think the Skyline segment is 35 MPH and the Blue Ridge Segment 45. I was planning the Front Royal to Fancy Gap ride in April, but got rained out. Will attempt it again in September.

I'm considering doing this on Saturday http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie ... 207410&z=8

[storysunfolding]

1. I've run pretty much the whole thing at 70 mph on the Strom. Only things that slowed me down were other cars and the occasional "wtf" moments. The Skyline drive park police are the most strict but so long as you're not harassing other drivers or doing anything ridiculously unsafe most don't care.

2. I started from skyline drive and made it all the way to the end in NC in one day. The BRP was my alternate route on that trip since we had a heat wave and that altitude took 10 degrees off. Splitting it up is much more enjoyable though.

3. Stop at waffle houses and pick up their hotel discount book from the stand by the door. Lots of places for $30-50. You just have to plan your stops better. It's much easier to pack a small tent, a sleeping bag and stay at the parks though.

4. Sometimes, maps and GPS are really nice though especially in finding the fun side roads. Take a better trip down the mountain and back up later where the roads are really twisty.

5. Can't remember the names but there are some great waterfalls along the way if you're in for a few small hikes.

6. Grab a map of both parks from the visitor center.

Also- if you don't have a season pass- Skyline costs something like $10 to get into. I like making a cheap sign, waiting by the exit and asking people for their ticket.

[JC Viper]

Awesome, sounds like I might take that trip myself.

[bandit600]

1. I've run pretty much the whole thing at 70 mph on the Strom. Only things that slowed me down were other cars and the occasional "wtf" moments. The Skyline drive park police are the most strict but so long as you're not harassing other drivers or doing anything ridiculously unsafe most don't care.

2. I started from skyline drive and made it all the way to the end in NC in one day. The BRP was my alternate route on that trip since we had a heat wave and that altitude took 10 degrees off. Splitting it up is much more enjoyable though.

3. Stop at waffle houses and pick up their hotel discount book from the stand by the door. Lots of places for $30-50. You just have to plan your stops better. It's much easier to pack a small tent, a sleeping bag and stay at the parks though.

4. Sometimes, maps and GPS are really nice though especially in finding the fun side roads. Take a better trip down the mountain and back up later where the roads are really twisty.

5. Can't remember the names but there are some great waterfalls along the way if you're in for a few small hikes.

6. Grab a map of both parks from the visitor center.

Also- if you don't have a season pass- Skyline costs something like $10 to get into. I like making a cheap sign, waiting by the exit and asking people for their ticket.

Cool thanks for all the tips. I'll probably take it easy on the way down and make a mental note of the tight curves that would have take me by surprise and safety permitting, enjoy myself on the way back. The Waffle House idea is great, I didn't realize they have those discount magazines there, I've only seen them at Visitor Centers before but $30 a night is right up my ally.

I have a Skyline Drive season pass so no need to be the sketchy guy pan handling for park passes I've hiked Crabtree Falls and camped there as well when I was a student at UVA. Those roads are nice as well and will definitely try to make stops for those types of things.

[bandit600]

Also to JC Viper & Rockbottom or anyone else... As of now I'm going by myself because my buddy from work toasted his GS500 (no oil sight glass and apparently he doesn't believe in checking the dipstick...). But I'm always open to some company on the road and meeting fellow bikers so if you're interested don't hesitate to PM me.