Trip to the Blue Ridge

[Sandysandals]

I just got home. What a fun week. My friend and I put our bikes on the Auto Train in Sanford Florida (my Spyder and her Drifter), unloaded in Lorton Virginia then rode to the Blue Ridge Parkway. We rode it all the way to Asheville, NC...then to the Tail of the Dragon and then home. Note: Natural Bridge is NOT on the Parkway....research hotels and don't depend entirely on GPS (it brought us through Atlanta). But we made it and I loved riding the mountains and the Dragon on my Spyder. The only sour note was that my parking brake went out.....while parked on a slant at a overlook. I caught it though and had to carry a big rock to chock the back tire with. Sadly, it is not part of the parking brake recall. Pissed me off of course. But all in all, it was quite an experience. I loved the auto train....it was comfortable enough, the food was ok and the service was fantastic. Here are some shots of my trip. What a blast.

 

[Sandysandals]

More shots

:cheers:

 

[ARtraveler]

Nice pictures. :2thumbs::2thumbs:

 

[PrairieSpyder]

Looks like it was a nice tour. Thanks for posting the pics.

 

[PMK]

I may plagiarize your trip. Adding in a WPB to Sanford.

The best photo ever...two kids and the dad checking out the Spyder. Without words, reality of Spyders from the outside looking in.

PK

 

[DJFaninTN]

looks like a cool trip. hope you brought the rock home as a souvenir!

 

[SpyderAnn01]

Looks like you had fun. When I was having trouble with my 2013 RT I would have been happy to have it roll down the side of a mountain. :roflblack: I'm sure your brake will be repaired under warranty though.

 

[Cinronru]

Just book auto train

Hi! My husband & I just booked our trip from WPB riding to Sanford & taking auto train to Lorton. Last year I rode the Dragon on my Spyder - right after I bought it! I am anxious to do it again now that I've had it 10 months.
We are planning to ride north, hopefully to Maine, then come back home via Skyline drive, blue ridge and ride back to WPB. Only bought a one-way train ride. I have a 14 Spyder RT, he has a HD Street Glide.

 

[Bob Ledford]

Tomoka park

:cheers:[/

good to see you riding

 

[SPYD3R]

OH YA

OH YA, SURE.... THANX FOR LETTING ME KNOW.... I'M SO HURT..... :lecturef_smilie:

beautiful area to ride... glad you enjoyed it... i guess we here in SC, NC, GA, etc are a little jaded because we ride it 'at will'....
always nice to hear others opinions....
next time let us people know, we'll join up with you....

Dan P
Easley, SC
SPYD3R F3-S & RS/SE5

 

[Chupaca]

Great..!!

looks like a great trip. nice to start out with a train rid. you must have had a wonderful time brick and all. Thanks for the visuals...:2thumbs:

 

[Pennyrick]

Glad you had a good time in 'our' country. (I guess we take the Blue Ridge and other parts for granted too often).

Sorry you had to drive through Atlanta. There are four or five really nice alternative routes that are very pretty.

 

[Deanna777]

Nice pictures, sounds like you and your friend had a nice time. Deanna

 

[Tango]

:thumbup:

 

[Big Mike]

Love the pictures, looks like an awesome trip. The picture of the dad and two kids looking at the Spyder reminds me of something I experienced Saturday. I was in Lynchburg TN, which is a big tourist destination with a significant motorcycle presence. I barely got off my Spyder when it was surrounded by 2-3 tourist families taking pictures. I just got out of the way and let them have at it. Instead of feeling like a rockstar I felt like a roadie for the star. After about 2-3 minutes they drifted off and I could finish stowing my gear. Sometimes I appreciate something like this to remind me of how blessed I am to enjoy such an incredible machine.

 

[Tasian]

Nice Trip Report!

Enjoyed your pics and story...there should be a separate area for "Spyder Road Trips" so all members can share their epic rydes!

I love reading Ride Reports on the ADVRider forum...a very informative forum on what it takes to ride a motorcycle around the world or just out for a day trip. It's entertaining and educational to read and see what we do on our rydes! :doorag:

 

[Pennyrick]

Enjoyed your pics and story...there should be a separate area for "Spyder Road Trips" so all members can share their epic rydes!

! :doorag:

The folks at Harley-Davison have done that. Go to http://rideplanner.harley-davidson.com/rideplanner/ridePlanner.jsp

Explore the routes that folks have posted for public view including several that we have run.

 

[sandeejs]

Beautiful stuff, beautiful places. I've done the Dragon twice, and it is always better in the daylight!
Thanks for the trip report and pictures.
~Sandee~