Visit Virgina Beach - stopover Blue Ridge Parkway

[weisan]

I was thinking of bringing the family to go visit some friends living in Virginia Beach between May 20 - June 6, potentially even driving up to the DC area to see the Capital. We will be driving down from St. Louis, MO. I have been talking also to another close friend David living in Austin TX, who also have friends in Virgina, thus might be interested in getting our families together at Blue Ridge Parkway to do some family vacationing and bike-riding before we head off to our final destinations.

Since Blue Ridge is such a popular spot for riding, I bet a number of pals know the area well and can make some recommendations as to
1) where to stay
2) what can the family do while the men are out riding
3) where can we arrange for a drop off/pick up
4) what's the weather like during this time of the year, what kind of cycling gear do we need?

Some additional things to consider. Together with David's family, we would have 4 adults and 7 kids. Should we consider renting a house or a cabin and put everyone in it?

We plan on doing like 3-5 days of riding and hanging around the Blue Ridge area.

If we have a shorter amount of time say 3 days, what are some of the "must-visit" places or best riding spots? How would you arrange your itenary?

And if we have 4-5 days, what would you recommend that we do?

We would be driving our family vehicles, so no rental required.

And finally, we will probably spend like a week or so in the Virginia Beach area, any suggestions there?

Thanks for your inputs.

weisan

[OtayBW]

You could ride the entire BR Parkway and Skyline Drive in 4-5 days if you like. If you did that, cabin/cottage rentals and/or motels along the way would work. As nice as the BRP is, it has no shoulder and you will be constantly looking over your shoulders at RVs....

[Lifelover]

Your Ashville itinerary sounds great! If you can pull that off you should. I suspect you can find a few Forum members that live there to provide great in sight. (Pete is up that way I think). However, Ashville is quite a drive from Va Beach. 8-9 hours.

You can catch the most Northern part of the Parkway near Charlottesville which is only 4 hours from Va Beach. Where the BRP ends, Skyline Drive begins. Skyline drive is the same road that weaves through Shenandoah National Park. The National Park offers a slightly different experience. Much more rustic. SNP has multiple camp grounds and 2 lodges that were constructed during or just after the depression as part of the National Stimulus Plan. The Lodges offer rooms or cabins but they have no phone, no TV and typically just one electrical outlet. They are small and not cheap. It truly is about Location, Location, Location. All the lodges and camp grounds are along the Appalachian Trail. If you get lucky you can talk to some of the through Hikers that are walking from Georgia to Maine. Weekday traffic on the Skyline drive maybe a little lighter than the BRP but weekend traffic would be greater. As far as entertainment for the rest of the family, if they are not into hiking or driving and stopping at overlooks, there is not much to do. A few camp stores and a visitor center. Deer are EVERYWHERE and if you are there for more than a few days you are likely to see bear. My wife and both kids have visited Shenandoah EVERY year of their lives. If you do end up that way let me know and I will suggest some great Hikes. With 2 vehicles you can find some fairly long hikes that are pretty much all down hill!

The section of the BRP starting a Charlottesville would be very similar to the Ashville section and you could find lodging on the Parkway (Peaks of Otter) or more typical lodging in various towns just a few miles off it.

The riding is AMAZING and is a must do in my mind. There are some VERY long climbs along the parkway but the grades are not crazy. If you drop off the Parkway, all bets are off. The typical approaches to the Parkway can be VERY steep. Here is a link to a very good no nonsense book that will provide you elevation profiles and rest stop info.

http://www.amazon.com/Bicycling-Ridge-Elizabeth-Charlie-Skinner/dp/0897323017

Weather: I suspect you will have temps in the 70's or 80's during the days but could dip down the the 40's/50's at night.

[weisan]

Thanks Otay-pal.

Comparing notes at the Black Bear Adventures website, looks like we might be able to modify the Southern Blue Ridge Bicycle Tour itenary to suit our needs. Any comments/suggestions?

http://www.blackbearadventures.com/south-blr5d.html

This years Southern Blue Ridge Parkway tour has been changed to take full advantage of the fabulous city of Asheville and to reduce the mileage on a couple of the longer days. Your journey along the southern most section of the Blue Ridge Parkway weaves, rises and falls through dramatic natural beauty with unparalleled views. Your tour starts in the beautifully quaint town of Blowing Rock, NC. You will cycle through what is the most remote and rugged sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The natural beauty along this stretch is truly unsurpassed. After departing Blowing Rock we will stay along the parkway at remote lodges offering fine dining and spectacular views. Our stays at these lodges, Little Switzerland and Pisgah Inn, will allow plenty of opportunity for you to get to know your fellow participants and bask in the feeling of well deserved relaxation. After completing the cycling on this tour we shuttle back to Asheville, NC where we will enjoy a night out on the town in celebration of your accomplishment.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive in Blowing Rock

After settling into your room at the spectacular Chetola Resort we get together in the early afternoon for an informal greeting where we will go over the itinerary and get to know each other. Afterwards we will stroll to downtown Blowing Rock where we will dine at one of the many fine local restaurants.
Meals: Dinner

Day 2 - Blowing Rock to Little Switzerland

After breakfast at our lovely host inn we will set out on what is one of the most scenic stretches along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Today's route will take us across the famous Linn Cove Viaduct, will include a wonderful hike up to Linville Falls, and a tour of the Orchard at Altapass. This evening we will stay at the Switzerland Inn, with its fabulous views and fine cuisine.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mileage: 47 Miles

Day 3 - Little Switzerland to Asheville

Today we will climb to the top of Mount Mitchell, the tallest mountain east of the Mississippi. At the top of the mountain you will want to visit the natural history museum to learn about the areas unique environment and also take the short hike to the observation tower where you will enjoy an amazing view of distant mountain ranges. After our descent of Mt. Mitchell we will cycle past the rhododendron covered Craggy Gardens before exiting the Parkway for a wonderful stay in downtown Asheville. Tonight we will walk around this beautiful city and dine at one of its many fine restaurants.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mileage: 58 Miles (including 10 mile round trip up to Mt. Mitchell)

Day 4 - Asheville to Mt. Pisgah

Today we will cycle from the heart of downtown Asheville to Mount Pisgah and the Mount Pisgah Inn, which offers up some incredible views and delicious food. Today's route will take us past the World Famous Grove Park Inn, down to the French Broad River and up the long climb to the Pisgah Inn, our host for the evening. A brief stop at the Folk Art Center will allow you an opportunity to admire and even purchase original pieces of art made by local artists.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mileage: 46 miles

Day 5 - 60 Beautiful Miles to the End

This is it, the final day, 62 rugged miles through some of the most beautiful scenery of the entire tour. After a bountiful breakfast we will cycle along the Pisgah ridge to the Great Balsam mountains, where we will pass over the highest point on the Parkway, and eventually finish with a 10 mile descent into the town of Cherokee near the Great Smoky Mountains. To celebrate everyone's accomplishment of finishing this challenging tour we will shuttle into the city of Asheville where we will enjoy a gourmet meal and a night out on the town.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mileage: 406.6 - 469 = 62.4 Miles

Day 6 - Shuttle Back to Blowing Rock

After breakfast we will leave the wonderful city of Asheville for the return shuttle back to Blowing Rock. The shuttle will take approximately 2 hours just enough time to reflect on your trip with your new found friends.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

[weisan]

I just typed up a million word response, hit the wrong button and lost it! :crap: I'm off to a meeting but will retype a little later.

I live in Va Beach and Vacation somwehere along the BRP every year.

I feel your pain, dear lover-pal. You are the sweetest human being on the planet in my eyes. :p Do type again. pleaseeeeeee. :D

[SEABREEZE]

I did the BRP from the northern end to the southern end by RV, stayed every night at a different campground all along the Parkway. Most definately bring along a camera, you will get great shoots of wildlfe and vistas. In the evening at various campgrounds, we ran into quite a few full timers, who spend the entire summer along the trail from campsite to campsite. Well come about dusk a campfire would begin, and there musical and makeshift instruments would come out, and we had a real mountain hodown. Mountain music. It was a blast.We actually began to look forward to the next evenings campsite. It was a experience in it self.

In the Ashville area, you may want to consider seeing http://www.biltmore.com/

At the southern end when you get off there is a Casino , they alow RV'ers free overnight parking,and there are plenty of RV's there. They allow you to use there Saunas, Showers & Pool. They have great buffet style dining, and then of course after all of that you have gambling. Its a hotel as well, so you can rent a room.

As we had to continue south, as we live in Fl, I must say the mountains of North Georiga are spectacular especially around Hiawassee and Lake Chatuge. I highly recommend a weeks stay in that area, you wont regret it.
I've been through all of the Appalachian, Smokey, Blue Ridge Mts, this place is pretty special.

When we came off the Mts of Georgia, at the interstate it was 105 degrees, give me those Mts with there cool temperatures...

Yes, we had our bikes with us...

[Lifelover]

Assuming you want to stay “at the beach” there will be plenty of Hotels to choice from right along the boardwalk. If it is the beach experience you are looking for, that is what you need to do.

Some Family things to do while you are here might include the Virginia Marine Science Museum. It is pretty cool. By that time of year, they might be offering the dolphin watching trips. No guarantee you will see some but it is a fun boat ride. Different outfits offer kayak trips either in First landing State Park or out in Back Bay. Both are fun if the weather is good.

After the BRP, the riding here is going to be nothing special. Unless, you are looking to ride at break neck speeds with groups that see every ride as a race. If you want that, you can find it with no problem.

If you guys are interested in riding here I would be more than happy to ride with you or suggest decent routes or group rides. They are some that are not races. From the beach you are fairly close to some decent ‘country” type roads and could even get there on bike if you are willing to deal with traffic for the first 4/5 miles.

Some of my favorite riding from the beach would be on some of the city bike paths. It can be done on a skinny tire road bike but is much more fun with some fatter tires. There are also some beautiful neighborhoods to ride thru around the beach but you might need a tour guide (me) to get you in and out safely and without getting lost. Bar none, the best time to ride around the city is Sunday mornings. The traffic is light enough that you can pretty much ride anywhere.

If you want to experience the chaos of a large group ride, a LBS offers a Saturday morning ride that starts at 7:30, goes 20 miles and often will have over 100 people. It breaks up into groups based on speed but each group could easily have 25+ riders. Not everyone’s cup of tea but interesting none the less.

By than, I will be leading a Monday evening ride inland a little bit and most likely will be leading one of the Saturday morning groups. I also do a Sunday morning ride almost every week and either go solo or with a small group of friends. Often on fat Tires.

I would be more than happy to try and work around your schedule and ride desires to let you guys experience Va Beach. I could probably even provide a couple of Fat tire bikes (MTBs with slicks) if you want to try that.

Weather: anything from 70's to 90's with glaring sun or pouring down rain. The water will still be a little cold for the adults but the kids will leap right in.

[djg]

How about the Charlottesville area? You're not too far from Skyline Drive and some serious climbs; you've also got many miles of low-traffic roads with decent pavement and rollers just outside of town. You've got the University, new foodie type offerings in town, and some nice historical sightseeing nearby. Many loding offerings, from all the usual suspects in chain hotels to Inns and resorts. It's a great place to base a few days of riding and a darn nice place for non-riding things. It's not too far to Richmond, and then on to Virginia Beach.

The Marine Science museum mentioned above is definitely a nice beach break for a family, once you're at the beach.

The NC idea is nice if the travel plans work well. We go down to the Balsam area for a week each year -- the wife's folks have a place there -- and there are some really good climbs on the Parkway right off the Balsam entrance. There are some great country roads in the area as well. There's not much in Balsam itself -- just the Balsam Mountain Inn, as far as I know, but the town of Waynesville is just down the road, and they have a Best Western and some other things -- a couple of good places to eat and a nice wine shop. If you have little kids, the town's rec center has a cool water thing -- a large shallow pool with various fountains, etc., and a deeper area with a big slide, in addition to an olympic pool, that can be a nice stop-gap in the mountains, especially if you get unlucky and get hit with a day or two of rain.

[jvp]

Mt. Mitchell can get cold in May - be prepared for different conditions up there than from your starting point that day.

[weisan]

Thanks for all the helpful inputs.

Let's say we were to stay put in one place only, and use that as our base for heading out to ride everyday without any driving, where would that be?

We want to cut down the hassle of moving the family around too much while looking for the most spectacular riding along BRP.

[jvp]

Asheville.

[Lifelover]

Thanks for all the helpful inputs.

Let's say we were to stay put in one place only, and use that as our base for heading out to ride everyday without any driving, where would that be?

We want to cut down the hassle of moving the family around too much while looking for the most spectacular riding along BRP.

Make this decision based on what is good for the family activities not the riding. There is no "most" spectacular. It is all spectacular!

If you did the Northing section of Skyline Drive (Front Royal) you would only be about an hour outside of D.C.

[weisan]

Make this decision based on what is good for the family activities not the riding.
Wise counsel. Thanks for the reminder, Life-pal.

[weisan]

We did go to Virginia Beach a few weeks ago but not to Blue Ridge. I just got off the phone with my good friend Derick and his in-laws live up Blue Ridge Parkway near Newland and Linville Falls. They are open to me staying with them for a couple of days and doing some riding around that area.
So, it looks like I AM going to ride in Blue Ridge Parkway this summer after all. The tentative dates are June 28 - Jul 1.

Anyone interested in riding with me? :banana: