Blue Ridge Parkway

[JayD]

A buddy an I are getting ready to run thde Blue Ridge Parkway next week up and back. We will be starting at Cherokee, NC. The current plan is to run about 200 miles per day. Has anybody made that run and is 200 mile per day feasible? We do want to be able to stop and take in some of the views.

 

[BamaJohn]

Speed limit on the BRP is 45mph... if rainy or foggy, (you get the point); and there are MANY opportunities for great views; and lunch at the Pisgah Inn is mandatory. :thumbup:
Enjoy your ride and ride safe!
jb

 

[exwinger]

Hours in saddle

Depends on how many hours you stay in the saddle and how many times you stop . You can roll along at a pretty good clip if the weather cooperates and the speed limit is 45 mph in most places I believe . But if you really want to enjoy the scenery you'll be making a lot of overlook stops . BRP is not a route you just ride on unless you've done it before , the scenery is just too pretty . Starting out in Cherokee I suggest you stop at the first info center and get a map of the BRP , they're free and it will show you off roads for gas etc.. From the overlook at the info center you can see the casino in the distance . There are some really twisty roads you can ride from the BRP like the loop around Little Switzerland not too far from Asheville and 80 just before Switzerland . Use Google maps and plan ahead . All these roads will add time to your day but the road thrill makes it well worth it . Myself and my buddy were just down there a couple weeks ago and we rode a lot of these roads and at the end of the day we were flat worn out from all the curves but that's why we went there . It all depends on what you want to do and how you want to ride . Plan your miles because gas isn't available around every corner . If you want some additional road info feel free to PM me .To really enjoy the BRP you'll want to take your time and enjoy what it has to offer .

 

[CMA/IBA_rider]

200 miles at 45 mph will take about 4.5hours. Gives you a lot of time to sightsee. Lot of beautiful sights in North Carolina. Easily done in Virginia nothing to see.

 

[jtoro1]

I have done that trip three times because of the beautiful views and the stops I scheduled hundred fifty miles a day. My trips have been from Front Royal to Cherokee

 

[JayD]

200 miles at 45 mph will take about 4.5hours. Gives you a lot of time to sightsee. Lot of beautiful sights in North Carolina. Easily done in Virginia nothing to see.

Thanks for the info. I have been on a part of the parkway on 4 wheels. Really looking forward to running the whole thing.

 

[CanAmMick]

Be careful when you come through the Ashville area! Speed limit drops to 35, for a good ways, and there are a lot of people getting stopped.

 

[sjcpanther]

The wife and I did the Parkway tour last year on the Spyder. Took the trailer and camped along the way. We did about 125 miles a day. Took 4 days to do the whole thing. But we stopped at a bunch of stuff along the way.

Download the Blue Ridge Parkway app on your cell phone and you can see all the must see places along the way.

But depending on how much time you have allowed, you can plan it that way.

Of course, start to finish without stopping can be done in a long day. But too much sightseeing to do while you're there. Don't rush through things.

Enjoy! It was one of my favorite Spyder trips.

 

[Tango]

I would stay off it on the weekends, traffic. And never do it in the fall at all. Way to many old people in their RV's viewing the fall foliage. And they own the road as they do 20-25 mph. :banghead: Wish they would ban RV's from the BRP as they have banned Tractor trailers form the "Dragon". :thumbup: Tom :spyder:

 

[sjcpanther]

I did the Parkway over Memorial weekend last year, and although it was crowded, it's also a big place. No trouble at all getting behind slow traffic.

 

[Deanna777]

I'll put the Blue Ridge Parkway on my bucket list. Sounds like fun, to ride, and visit.
Deanna

 

[Sam Mac]

I live 3-1/2 miles from the BRP at route 89 around mile marker 115. Holler if you need help. Remember that the BRP is controlled by park rangers not cops. Big speed will get you in major trouble.

 

[kitkat61]

Agree that 150 might be better

IF - and only IF - you have done the BRP before, or have easy enough access to do it once or twice a year, would you want to do 200 or more miles a day. Even when the speed limit is 45, you can get stuck behind those RV's, and as someone mentioned, the speed can be even less at times from both the lowered limit, weather, animals, etc. If you plan your night stops at 200 miles, you may feel forced to play 'catch-up' and miss some really pretty scenery. At 150 miles, even at 30 mph, you will only spend 5 hours traveling leaving you lots of time for the overlooks. But another consideration for your plans is where you will spend the night. In the summer (and especially in the Fall!) hotels right off the parkway can be expensive and often unavailable. You may need to go an extra 20-30 miles to find a reasonable bed, so factor that into your daily saddle time.

 

[kep-up]

Ridden it many,many times. So many times it has become boring. North to South and South to North. Even rode the full length in one day. More than once.

 

[Buggy]

I would stay off it on the weekends, traffic. And never do it in the fall at all. Way to many old people in their RV's viewing the fall foliage. And they own the road as they do 20-25 mph. :banghead: Wish they would ban RV's from the BRP as they have banned Tractor trailers form the "Dragon". :thumbup: Tom :spyder:

Or just ban old people! Wait then there will be no Spyders either:joke:

 

[summerdawn]

BRP is a beauty!

The BRP is my favorite motorcycle ride in the US and I have been lucky enough to ride in many parts of the country. What you plan is doable. Don't rush, stop and enjoy the gorgeous views. Check out the many just-off-road attractions and watch out for deer and bear. I have ridden it in every season except winter and have never found it to be overly crowded. Do get the map that gives you info mile by mile. Take lots of pictures!

 

[blacklightning]

I have ridden all of the BRP that is in NC on many occasions. It is so beautiful and very hard to keep from wanting to stop at nearly every overlook. As stated above, finding lodging could be your worst enemy. Take your time and enjoy yourself.

 

[GeorgiaBill]

Link to the Map

Here's the link to download the BRP map and save on your electronic devices. I drool over that map often.

https://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/maps.htm

There is also a link to road closures.

I've ridden and driven the BRP numerous times, but not yet on the Spyder. SOON I Hope! I think the Spyder will be much better than a motorcycle. Numerous stops are easier and it's easier for me obey the speed limits on the Spyder.

I was up there last July, and the roads in Virginia are in much better condition than in North Carolina.

Have fun.

-Bill

 

[ES44AC]

I love to ride the Blue Ridge Parkway. I need to ride the Asheville to Cherokee on the Spyder. I even monitor their P25 VHF radio system.