Blue Ridge Parkway between June 28 -July 1

[weisan]

I will be doing some riding and hiking by myself around the Blue Ridge Parkway between June 28 till July 1st.

Staying with a friend who lives near Newland and Linville Falls.

If you have complete freedom and control over time, how would you plan your day? (Please fill in the blanks below) :banana:

Day 1 (June 28 Full Day)

Day 2 (June 29 Full Day)

Day 3 (June 30 Full Day)

Day 4 (July 1st until 10 am)

Where would you ride, hike, sight-see, eat, take pictures, etc? I am most certainly going to ride at least twice a day or do some sort of outdoor activity both in the morning and the afternoon. I will have a bike that can do both asphalt and off-road riding. I am an early person, up by 6 am and turn in around 10pm.

I would love for any forum pal to join me on a ride or something.

[Ralph]

http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/v.php?pg=73

I've ridden all thru there many times. There is no shortage of things to see and do.

[Ralph]

http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/v.php?pg=111

For some reason....I have always enjoyed riding my bike over the Lin Cove Viaduct.

[emckee1]

Google the "Blood Sweat and Gears" ride, a century that starts and ends in Valle Crucis, not far from Linville. There will be maps of the 100 mile loop as well as a 50 mile option. Boths routes are great.

Also, you gotta do the 3 mile climb from Banner Elk to the top of Beech Mt. Bring a triple or compact crank if you have it!

[weisan]

Ralph-pal, thanks for the link and PM-ing me with your personal recommendations, those are great, I am sure I will be using some of your ideas.

emc-pal, that's a great idea, thank you! I will look into it. Yes, I will have a compact. Of late, I am finding my climbing legs back again ...actually, I should say, my back is not hurting as much and I can feel a bit of my former climbing ability returning. :banana:

[dookie]

linville gorge is well worth a look. the falls area is an easy, easy walk around. if you're willing to give a whole day, drive up the gravel access road (old NC 105) and walk down one of the trails into the actual gorge. know what you're getting into...it's a serious day hike. the overlook (wiseman's) a few miles down the gravel road is well worth a look if you don't have a day to hike.

[rnhood]

Both Valle Crusis routes (BS&G) are good. The Roan Moan route out of Bakersville is another first rate route. Climbing Roan Mountain (from the TN side) is outstanding, as is the 14 mile descent back into Bakersville.

[weisan]

Great suggestions, now I can't wait! :)

[dancinkozmo]

...hmmm this sounds suspiciously similar to "hiking the appalachian trail" :banana:

[Norm Swift]

As a point of cycling history, and if I remember correctly, the Banner Elk, NC area is where Lance Armstrong, after his cancer treatment, began to realize he could once again ride competitively.

[jvp]

A nice ~30 mile loop is to start in Blowing Rock (or anywhere you can leave a car along the loop), take 221 towards grandfather mtn., it parallels the parkway. Take the parkway north where 221 crosses it at Grandfather. You will cross the viaduct, and view some amazing scenery. Take the short access road back to 221 @ ~mp295, then return to blowing rock.
Hiking trails on Grandfather are great, also some sections of the tanawa trail near and at the viaduct are nice.

[weisan]

Thanks for all the great suggestions, pals!
I can't believe I will be riding in paradise early next week.

The weather forecast looks interesting:
http://alicehui.com/pics/brp_weather.jpg

I will be taking the new taylor bike. It's designed to fit big fat tires (up to 35mm). I am debating whether to bring my cross wheels along. It has 32mm pasela tires mounted on now. Would that be any off-road trails worth checking out on the bike?

So, the plan is to stop over at a friend's house on my way there on Sunday night and then leave early Monday morning to get a 40-50 miles ride in before checking in with my host family who lived over in Newland, NC.

I will be in that area until Thursday 11 am and then driving over to Nashville, TN for a conference.

I will be by myself the whole time. Is anyone interested in hooking up for a ride or a hike together?

Is there a place online that I can check for sections of the parkway that is closed?

I can't wait to get there!

weisan

[kestrel]

Take Hickory Nut Gap Rd out of Newland into Banner Elk, turn left on 184, then turn left at the light and follow 194 up to the top of Beech Mountain. Great ride, great climb. The old Tour De Trump or whatever it used to be called climbed it many times. If that's not enough riding, come back down and follow 194 back to the Mast Store in ValleCruis, then take the gentle climb up 105 back around to Newland.

Check the maps available on Map my Ride or Map it pronto.

[michael white]

linville gorge is well worth a look. the falls area is an easy, easy walk around. if you're willing to give a whole day, drive up the gravel access road (old NC 105) and walk down one of the trails into the actual gorge. know what you're getting into...it's a serious day hike. the overlook (wiseman's) a few miles down the gravel road is well worth a look if you don't have a day to hike.

This is tremendous advice. I've hiked into the Gorge many times, from both sides. It's easily one of the most spectacular places east of the Colorado Rockies, and you really shouldn't miss it if you're up there.

[SEABREEZE]

WEISAN, DONT FORGET THE CAMERA

Enjoyed your pictures to Washington and surrounding area's

Looking forward to hearing all about your experiences, followed with pictures...

[emckee1]

Rode the shorter of the BS&G routes on Saturday and added in the 3 mile trip to the top of Beech Mt. The first half of the Beech climb is the hardest, with some long, straight, steep grades. The second half has 4 major switchbacks that offer some relief.

Rode the Blue Ridge Parkway between Linville and Blowing Rock and it is all open as of now. The BRP website lists any current sections that are closed.

There are some great fire roads on the East side of Grandfather Mt. that would require some beefier tires. Edgemont Road and Globe Road are two of the longer options.

Have a great week!

[weisan]

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[weisan]

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[rugbysecondrow]

Weisan,

Can you post your routes? My parents live in the Roanoke, VA area and the Blue Ridge Parkway is an area I have wanted to ride for a while. Your photos have sealed the deal.

Cheers,

Paul

[weisan]

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[rugbysecondrow]

Also, do tell us about the Taylor and how it rode.

Cheers,

Paul

[weisan]

Also, do tell us about the Taylor and how it rode.

Cheers,

Paul
Same answer I gave you over the PM.

I don't mean to be flippant, it behaves like a normal bike. :banana: :beer:

[weisan]

Weisan,

Can you post your routes? My parents live in the Roanoke, VA area and the Blue Ridge Parkway is an area I have wanted to ride for a while. Your photos have sealed the deal.

Cheers,

Paul
I did EVERYTHING suggested by the forum pals EXCEPT Roan Mt...ran out of time. :D

[rnhood]

You should consider coming back at the end of this month (31st) and ride the Roan Moan event. Its one of the few events I never miss - one of my favs. The entire route is nice, almost storybook nice.

You still got a lot of good riding in and those are some great pictures.

[weisan]

You should consider coming back at the end of this month (31st) and ride the Roan Moan event. Its one of the few events I never miss - one of my favs. The entire route is nice, almost storybook nice.

I would love to, but I think I have to be satisfied. Part of the reason I did not go out of my way to ride on Roan is because....there are SO MANY excellent options, it's almost limitless, kinda have to choose what to do with the time I had. :p

[fiamme red]

Wonderful and inspiring photos!

Loved the Katy Trail pics, too. I sent a link to that thread to a friend in Columbia, MO.

[weisan]

fiamme-pal, thanks for doing that.
I must confess...I am a bit behind in catching up with this year's tour because of all the riding I have been doing, in Blue Ridge, and then in Katy Trail. Priority, priority, priority! :p :banana: :beer:

[SEABREEZE]

Thanks for the pictures weisan, brings back memories of our two weeks on the BRP two years ago.

Not a bad place to live in the summer time...Ha ! ! !

Good to see you enjoyed your visit...

[weisan]

Thanks for the pictures weisan, brings back memories of our two weeks on the BRP two years ago.

Not a bad place to live in the summer time...Ha ! ! !

Good to see you enjoyed your visit...
Your post earlier encouraged me to spend a bit more time getting the shots. I used to mess around with cameras and stuff, esp. nature/landscape photography. This is combining both passions.

I have said it to friends...if all I ever get to ride is the parkway for the rest of my life, I won't complain...not even a bit!

[SEABREEZE]

Your post earlier encouraged me to spend a bit more time getting the shots. I used to mess around with cameras and stuff, esp. nature/landscape photography. This is combining both passions.

I have said it to friends...if all I ever get to ride is the parkway for the rest of my life, I won't complain...not even a bit!

Happy to have motivated, now you have pictures to reflect....

Becareful, that reflection will have you back there before you know it...

A good thing ! ! !

[soulspinner]

Incroyable :banana: Thanks for the great pics! :beer:

[HenryA]

snipped a lot.........

I will be in that area until Thursday 11 am and then driving over to Nashville, TN for a conference.


weisan

If you (or any other forum members)come to Nashville again be sure to let me know. We have great riding not too far out of town and I will be happy to show it to you.

[HenryA]

double post

[weisan]

If you (or any other forum members)come to Nashville again be sure to let me know. We have great riding not too far out of town and I will be happy to show it to you.
Thank you Henry-pal. I certainly hope we would cross path someday.

[Ken Robb]

Last year Leslie and I planned to spend a night in one of the lodges between Front Royal and Charlotteville. When we got there it was NASTY. No A/C in mid-July with no flow-through ventilation either meant 85F in the room which looked like it hadn't been redone since 1955 with saggy mattresses to boot. We pressed on to C'Ville and decent accommodations at Marriot Courtyard. Had a great time there and the Parkway was great: just don't stay there in the Summer.