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Serk
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« on: June 09, 2018, 04:21:08 PM » |
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The elder spawn and myself made it to a cheap motel just east of Knoxville for the night. I had been planning on just superslabbing it up to Roanoke tomorrow but... I keep hearing about this Blue Ridge Parkway thingy...
Is it worth it? Should we go that way? Where should we get on it? Where should we get off of it?
I'll google on it some too of course, but wanted some first hand knowledge from the masses here too... I know it's late in the game to put this query out there, but figured I'd ask...
Weather and our mood tomorrow depending as well of course...
Thanks!
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Never ask a geek 'Why?',just nod your head and slowly back away...  IBA# 22107 VRCC# 7976 VRCCDS# 226 1998 Valkyrie Standard 2008 Gold Wing Taxation is theft. μολὼν λαβέ |
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Pete
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« Reply #1 on: June 09, 2018, 04:43:03 PM » |
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Go east on 40 to Asheville, entrance is east of Asheville at Black Mountain.
Watch for construction and gravel on your way north as some construction is going on.
It will be a long day to make Roanoke via that route.
Alternate take 81 north there are several places where you can go southeast from 81 and pick up the parkway. Lots closer that way.
Alternate go the Cherokee NC and pick up the parkway there, us 441, longer that the Asheville route.
US 220 would be your exit to Roanoke.
Any of these are going to make for a long/very long day day - go 81.
Parkway is a great ride.
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bill-jr
Member
Posts: 1047
VRCC # 35094
murfreesboro
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« Reply #2 on: June 09, 2018, 04:45:17 PM » |
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If you want a beautiful scenic ride thru the Appalachian mountains . .
Well worth it imo. .
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Ever danced with the devil In the pale moon light ?
99' Black tourer
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Serk
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« Reply #3 on: June 09, 2018, 04:46:42 PM » |
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Any of these are going to make for a long/very long day day - go 81.
Parkway is a great ride.
Thanks for the input (Sincerely) After a hot 350 mile day after she got outta school Friday, and another very hot 500+mile day today, we might just stick to 81... But good to have options! Will see how early we head out, how the weather is and how we're feeling... |
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Never ask a geek 'Why?',just nod your head and slowly back away... IBA# 22107 VRCC# 7976 VRCCDS# 226 1998 Valkyrie Standard 2008 Gold Wing Taxation is theft. μολὼν λαβέ |
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Pete
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« Reply #4 on: June 09, 2018, 04:54:25 PM » |
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For just a taste of the Parkway.
81 to 77(in Virginia) , 77 southeast to Fancy Gap, Parkway to 220 to Roanoke.
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Jess from VA
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« Reply #5 on: June 09, 2018, 05:05:21 PM » |
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Serk, there's some chip and seal (gooey road repair) on the BRP not far south of Roanoke on the BRP. Mark told us about it a few days ago in another thread. Here was where he described it. _________________________ The thread. http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,101104.0.htmlMark, that appears to be where the BRP, straight South of Roanoke, crosses US 220 (mile marker 121), south on BRP to Calloway Rd (right next to US 221) (mile marker 136).Interactive map. https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1bL-akwZwjIFXrqtNFIP2BTQzVqs&hl=en&ll=37.12437193356772%2C-80.05678347424316&z=12_________________________ On a good note, while rain was forecast to start in Roanoke about mid day, right now they are only forecasting 35% thunder storms for 3PM. |
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« Last Edit: June 09, 2018, 05:10:18 PM by Jess from VA »
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Rams
Member
Posts: 16690
So many colors to choose from yet so few stand out
Covington, TN
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« Reply #6 on: June 09, 2018, 05:16:14 PM » |
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IMHO, it's worth it to ride the BRP if, your butt is up to another long day in the saddle. Simply put, it's going to take longer.
I just finished loading up and will depart in the morning (whenever I wake up), I'll head east but, it'll be all interstate, I'm RVing it and the fat lady is riding in the toy hauler.
Rams
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« Last Edit: June 09, 2018, 05:30:29 PM by Rams »
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VRCC# 29981
Learning the majority of life's lessons the hard way.
Every trip is an adventure, enjoy it while it lasts.
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Serk
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« Reply #7 on: June 09, 2018, 05:19:01 PM » |
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IMHO, it's worth it to ride the BRP if, your butt is up to another long day in the saddle. Simply put, it's going to take longer.
Rams
...just how much longer though? We're less then 4 hours outta Roanoke via super slab, how much would BRP slow us down? 2 hours? 8 hours? Somewhere in between? Thanks again for the input... still researching... and will see how we feel in the morning... |
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Never ask a geek 'Why?',just nod your head and slowly back away... IBA# 22107 VRCC# 7976 VRCCDS# 226 1998 Valkyrie Standard 2008 Gold Wing Taxation is theft. μολὼν λαβέ |
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Rams
Member
Posts: 16690
So many colors to choose from yet so few stand out
Covington, TN
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« Reply #8 on: June 09, 2018, 05:36:05 PM » |
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IMHO, it's worth it to ride the BRP if, your butt is up to another long day in the saddle. Simply put, it's going to take longer.
Rams
...just how much longer though? We're less then 4 hours outta Roanoke via super slab, how much would BRP slow us down? 2 hours? 8 hours? Somewhere in between? Thanks again for the input... still researching... and will see how we feel in the morning... I haven't ridden the entire BRP but I would plan on it taking twice as long as the interstate. Some beautiful sites and views that just beg you to stop and enjoy them. Great curves but a lot of slow traffic. Rams |
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VRCC# 29981
Learning the majority of life's lessons the hard way.
Every trip is an adventure, enjoy it while it lasts.
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..
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« Reply #9 on: June 09, 2018, 05:40:06 PM » |
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BRP. Do it. Cooler than lower elevation and the views are BOOTIFUL.
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Serk
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« Reply #10 on: June 09, 2018, 05:48:34 PM » |
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Tentative plan, we'll take 81 north, and see how we feel when we get to 77 and see how the time, weather, and our butts are holding up (And understanding there will be some ugly construction)... Thanks again, and still open to more input, will peek back in on this thread in the morning before we head outta Knoxville.... And yeah... Bad Serk for not fully researching all this when I had a real computer and real Internet to research with...  (In my defense, I THOUGHT I was gonna have 1.5 days more road time than I ended up having due to Kali's grades, I HAD a plan to dip down to US129, etc. etc.... but as John Lennon said, Life is what happens while you're busy making other plans...) |
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Never ask a geek 'Why?',just nod your head and slowly back away... IBA# 22107 VRCC# 7976 VRCCDS# 226 1998 Valkyrie Standard 2008 Gold Wing Taxation is theft. μολὼν λαβέ |
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Rams
Member
Posts: 16690
So many colors to choose from yet so few stand out
Covington, TN
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« Reply #11 on: June 09, 2018, 05:59:06 PM » |
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John Lennon said, Life is what happens while you're busy making other plans...)
John who? DID HE RIDE A VALKYRIE? Rams.  |
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VRCC# 29981
Learning the majority of life's lessons the hard way.
Every trip is an adventure, enjoy it while it lasts.
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..
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« Reply #12 on: June 09, 2018, 06:01:54 PM » |
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F ME.
I just wrote and included a Google maps link and it's F'ing disappeared.
Sometime I f'in hate this forum.
OK here we go again. Shorter version.
I 81 to exit 19. Hwy 58. TR off ramp and follow 58 all the way to the BRP. Seriously. Then BRP at Meadows of Dan to Roanoke.
Do not speed up the mountain out of Damascus. OK.
Galax VA has a good BBQ on main St. Galax smokehouse.
About 6 hours and 300 miles to Roanoke.
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« Last Edit: June 09, 2018, 06:04:56 PM by Britman »
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« Reply #13 on: June 09, 2018, 06:03:25 PM » |
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Oh yeah.
DO NOT GET DISTRACTED by the views on the BRP. I mean it.
There are plenty of places to stop.
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Rams
Member
Posts: 16690
So many colors to choose from yet so few stand out
Covington, TN
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« Reply #14 on: June 09, 2018, 06:09:05 PM » |
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Oh yeah.
DO NOT GET DISTRACTED by the views on the BRP. I mean it.
There are plenty of places to stop.
Quoted as truth. The scenery is spectular and it's hard to not look. Almost didn't make a few curves due to the views..... Rams |
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VRCC# 29981
Learning the majority of life's lessons the hard way.
Every trip is an adventure, enjoy it while it lasts.
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Serk
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« Reply #15 on: June 09, 2018, 06:12:06 PM » |
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Oh yeah.
DO NOT GET DISTRACTED by the views on the BRP. I mean it.
There are plenty of places to stop.
Quoted as truth. The scenery is spectular and it's hard to not look. Almost didn't make a few curves due to the views..... Rams Yeah, heard Hotglue came across someone who didn't pay attention to the road (NOT him or Flamingobabe just someone they happened to come across who needed help.) Definitely need to pay attention to the road if we go that route... Thanks again everyone, sorry you had your post disappear Britman, but I do appreciate the effort and input! |
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Never ask a geek 'Why?',just nod your head and slowly back away... IBA# 22107 VRCC# 7976 VRCCDS# 226 1998 Valkyrie Standard 2008 Gold Wing Taxation is theft. μολὼν λαβέ |
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Mr Whiskey
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« Reply #16 on: June 10, 2018, 01:31:46 AM » |
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Hey Brother, few here will disagree that the Southern portion is by far the best part of the BRP (& it has all the tunnels) so if you're runnin' any of it I'd start as close to Cherokee as possible, but...
most will also agree that runnin' 50 miles of BRP is like runnin' 200 anywhere else. You can't expect to make good time so relax & enjoy the roll 
It's definitely something ya don't wanna miss!
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Peace, Whiskey.
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Serk
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« Reply #17 on: June 10, 2018, 02:13:06 AM » |
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Woke up early, couldn't sleep... Tentative plan is to head to Cherokee, take the BRP to Asheville, then superslab it the rest of the way up to Roanoke... Let's see if the weather and 15 year old ball of attitude cooperate... Thanks again for the input! |
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Never ask a geek 'Why?',just nod your head and slowly back away... IBA# 22107 VRCC# 7976 VRCCDS# 226 1998 Valkyrie Standard 2008 Gold Wing Taxation is theft. μολὼν λαβέ |
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Jess from VA
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« Reply #18 on: June 10, 2018, 02:24:54 AM » |
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Bonzai!  |
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Skinhead
Member
Posts: 8742
J. A. B. O. A.
Troy, MI
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« Reply #19 on: June 10, 2018, 04:21:24 AM » |
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Good Plan! You Won't regret it.
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 Troy, MI |
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Jess Tolbirt
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« Reply #20 on: June 10, 2018, 06:28:55 AM » |
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everytime my son comes up from TX we go to the smokies and when we ride the BRP, we only ride on it for an hour or two. the speed limit is mostly 45 and the scenery is all the same. we will get off and run a lot of the regular roads up through north carolina and lots better riding,, cooler and enjoyable..if you decide to do some sightseeing on the way back i have some info posted i will share if you will pm me..o heck i found it never mind the pm, here ya go go to www.jesstolbirt.com/smokeymtnrides and check em out then if you find the one you like go to www.jesstolbirt.com/smokeymtnridesmaps and download the map for it... |
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3fan4life
Member
Posts: 6997
Any day that you ride is a good day!
Moneta, VA
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« Reply #21 on: June 10, 2018, 07:03:19 AM » |
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For just a taste of the Parkway.
81 to 77(in Virginia) , 77 southeast to Fancy Gap, Parkway to 220 to Roanoke.
+1 on this route! This doesn't take you too far out of the way. Let's you get a little bit of it in and avoids the loose gravel on the BRP. |
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1 Corinthians 1:18  |
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RP#62
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« Reply #22 on: June 10, 2018, 11:43:50 AM » |
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We call it a morning road - its not good if you're trying to make time and its not good if you're tired. Its a beautiful drive though if you take it to enjoy the ride and take the time to stop and appreciate the overlooks.
-RP
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Serk
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« Reply #23 on: June 10, 2018, 06:00:55 PM » |
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Thanks again for all the tips, we did the Cherokee -> Asheville portion of the BRC early this morning, wasn't much traffic until near the end. Loved it! And yeah, I wouldn't wanna do it at the end of the day, but it was wonderful starting the day off on it...  |
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Never ask a geek 'Why?',just nod your head and slowly back away... IBA# 22107 VRCC# 7976 VRCCDS# 226 1998 Valkyrie Standard 2008 Gold Wing Taxation is theft. μολὼν λαβέ |
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Pete
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« Reply #24 on: June 11, 2018, 04:13:38 AM » |
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That is great that it worked out for you.  It is a great ride in nice weather. |
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