Northeast / New England riders heading to Inzane

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

Before I call the hotel, I'm trying to plan my ride from MA to Asheville. If I super-slab it the whole way, Google claims I'm looking at about 14 and a half hours, about 900 miles. While do-able, I'm thinking about breaking the ride there and back into two-day rides. Never know about rain or swamp arse heat that wipes you out. What say the veterans of Inzane journeys? Tuff it out and get there, or cut it in half and go for the extra hotel rooms?

While the bikes are put up for the winter, I have way too much time to overthink this.

[The emperor has no clothes]

If you can get the extra day off I'd do it in 2 days. If you do it in one you will likely miss the chance to socialize at the early bird dinner.

[Jess from VA]

Make a plan, but be flexible enough to change it on the fly if necessary.

You really cannot depend on weather reporting until just days (or the day) before departure, both ways.

On trips, I tend to check weather at home, the half-way point, and destination; for better accuracy.

I've ridden all night (freeway) to avoid murderous heat, and I don't like riding at night.

I can't do 14 hours (maybe 10), but if I did, I'd be so wasted the next day, I'd have to lay up all day, and so might as well have taken two days to begin with.  (though that adds another day motel expense, or two).

Motels can be a bit finicky on cancellation timing, but I've twice left Inzane a bit early for weather or other reasons, and had no trouble cancelling on short notice at the end of a stay.  

Pack rain gear on top or even outside, so it's right there to use.

If your travel plan includes I95 through VA, you can just about count on some stop and go from DC to Richmond (in daylight).  It sucks pretty bad up East/North too.  I 81 is the better choice, but never go 80 or over in VA.  Expect to see State Troopers just over the hilltop rises, right after you got left and blew by all the slowing semi's going up all those hills.  It's their specialty.   Lots of truck traffic on 81 (and all 2-lane).

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

I'm definitely thinking of breaking it up to 2 days on each run. I could likely do it in one, but as Jess said, I'd probably be ruined for the first day at Inzane. I'd love to avoid the highway altogether and enjoy the backroads of the east coast, but that would probably take more time than I can afford to take. At least the riding at the event will be good enough to make up for it.

[NewValker]

I’ve ridden to Robbinsville, NC 3 times & trailered down like 8-9 times.
Twice we took 2 days to slab it and the other one we slabbed to Front Royal VA and rode the BRP to Cherokee,NC. The last was the most relaxing but took 3 days total.
As mentioned, heat, rain, wind can take their toll on you. I probably could do it in 1 day, but I’d be junk the next for sure. I’ve done 1k days before, but that was 10+ years ago, not up for that anymore.
I wouldn’t mind getting together for a coffee before hand and discuss.

Also, 84 to 81 is a little longer, but way easier & safer than 95.
YMMV,
Craig

[Alzacs]

Also, 84 to 81 is a little longer, but way easier & safer than 95.
YMMV,
Craig

I'm playing with Google Maps, and popped Scranton, PA in to try the 84 to 81 that you mention and it adds only minutes!  Less than an hour!  WOW! 

I expect to register shortly - waiting on the return to hit the account.     I'm wide open for options, including a good coffee-meet. 

Sean - Alz

[mhallock]

Leaving from North Jersey early on June 6th....will be taking super-slab (81) and will try to get 450-500 miles in out of the 660 miles to Ashville.....should put me in Ashville by lunchtime on June 7th.  That's the plan so far, anyway....

Mark

[Alzacs]

REGISTERED !!  My target arrival is Sunday mid-day.  I'm liking the idea of I-84 to I-81.  (safer is nicer). 

Anyone have suggestions or recommendations for where to get to on Sat evening to stay the night?  Backward planning don't-ya-know.  (Looks like some-place Virginia leaves a comfy scoot on Sunday morn.

(i.e. Harrisonburg VA leaves me 5.5 hours on Sunday morning after 9.5 hrs Saturday) 940mi total

[Jess from VA]

Harrisonburg is a city with lots of traffic (but OK).

If you run south 26 miles from Harrisonburg, the next town is the smaller Staunton, and we have stayed at the Days Inn there several times (as it's close to the top (mile marker one) of the Blue Ridge Parkway BRP - South).  It's right off I-81, and always been cheap and clean.  https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/days-inn/staunton-virginia/days-inn-staunton/overview?CID=LC:DI:20160927:RIO:Local:SM-disatl&iata=00093796

If you wanted to ride the BRP south to NC, you just run East out of Staunton on I-65 or 250 over to Waynesboro (12 miles), and the BRP entrance is close by (4 miles).  And there's a good clean Days Inn there too.  https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/days-inn/waynesboro-virginia/days-inn-waynesboro-va/overview?CID=LC:DI:20160927:RIO:Local:SM-disatl&iata=00093796

Of course it's an all day ride going down from there.  And weather dependent (you don't want rain and fog, or you won't make it to NC before dark - with the deer).  And if this was a ride you wanted to make, but it was crap weather on the trip down, it might be a perfect day on the return ride North.

And if you did decide to ride the BRP (ever), you want to print out this page about gas station availability and take it with you.  You can rarely see stations from the Parkway, and some exits the station is right there, and others it's 30 miles away (out of your way, and you're already on reserve).  There are little concrete mile markers all the way down BRP, and you use those to find gas.  And save it to favorites.

https://www.blueridgeparkway.org/gas-availability/



BRP map.  https://www.blueridgeparkway.org/parkway-maps/

Now if you wanted to save a bit of time leaving Staunton on day two, you could get back on I-81 South and burn down to Roanoke (90 miles) and exit there, and the BRP is just 20 miles away from there. Maybe knock off two hours total time to NC on day two.  But if it's raining everywhere, lay off the BRP to another day.

And if you want to take the BRP, it is always a good idea to call the HQ park and ask about any road repairs on the date in question.  If so, they will tell you between what mile markers the work is going on.  I have had occasion to hit fresh chip and seal operations that you absolutely don't want to ride on, and had to go back and detour around.  It's rare, but it does happen.   https://www.blueridgeparkway.org/contact-us/

[Alzacs]

Thank you!  May have to adjust start time.  I am targeting Sunday mid-day arrival at hotel.  But if I start earlier, I might be able to add in the side trip ... OR save it for the return

Everything is wide open at this early stage, and I have enough leave on the books to allow adjustments.

[Jess from VA]

Glad to help.

This was really provided as info for anyone who might be coming down this way to Ashville.

[Alzacs]

RESERVATION IN!   

2 queen beds, fridge and microwave 7-12. 

Willing to split costs if someone wants the 2nd bunk.  Hotel says they will allow a roommate and split the costs. 

[Alzacs]

Re-booked for new dates - All else the same!

[f6gal]

RESERVATION IN!   

2 queen beds, fridge and microwave 7-12. 

Willing to split costs if someone wants the 2nd bunk.  Hotel says they will allow a roommate and split the costs. 

Do you still need a roommate?  I think I know someone.

[Alzacs]

Roomie scheduled!  Thanks for the hook-up.  Anxious - excited - ready!  Started 'packing' for the trip and I have weeks until Kick-Stand-Up (KSU)