Author Topic: Asheville NC....Blue Ridge Parkway (Read 1988 times)

Cbowers · « **on:** July 11, 2010, 12:05:42 AM »

My father and I are planning trip to ride on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Figured we would stay near Asheville and ride south one day and north the next. Looking for suggestions on lodging with easy access to the parkway. Though of staying at the Pisgah Inn on the parkway, but concerned with its remoteness. No quick trip to get a cheeseburger in the middle of the night. Open to any suggestions on where to stay or places to see. Been many times in a car but first motorcycle trip down the parkway for me.

Thanks in Advance!

Chad

KeithTurk · « **Reply #1 on:** July 11, 2010, 04:45:14 AM »

Chad.... Please look into Maggie Valley.... it's right there and you can go to a Museum called "Wheels through time"

Dale Walksler owns it and he's about the most incredible guy you've ever met.... Seriously HUGE quantity of All American Motorcycles.... While there are a ton of Harleys... he's a got a bazillion wicked cool other American makes... of Very early stuff.... and he will start virtually anything in the museum for you..... ( Dale is one of our ECTA Racers and he's become a good friend )....

This place is Virtually right there in Ashville.... ( within 50 miles I think )....

wardenerd · « **Reply #2 on:** July 11, 2010, 05:32:15 AM »

The Parkway has access off I26 near skyland and the biltmore estate. I would suggest the comfort inn at brevard rd and I26. 10 minutes to the parkway and 2 minutes to waffle house. East a asheville the parkway has access near Oteen where the Va hospital is. Close to all kinds of stuff and 10 minutes to the parkway. There are alot of cheap places in the oteen area if you are just looking for a place to sleep.

I lived in Asheville before its renaissance to the San Francisco of the south and before the train hit the prison bus near there in "the Fugitive"

Rocking-M · « **Reply #3 on:** July 11, 2010, 09:17:46 AM »

just got back from Asheville. Where Uncle Ernie had to help me out running around
to find plugs for the Ducati which limped into Asheville Friday night in the rain running on
one cylinder. We made back home today so all is well.

191, Brevard Road should have a place on it to stay and that put's you right at the
Parkway easy like. If you find yourself on 191 looking for good eats stop in
at the Apollo Bistro. Strike up a conversation with the owner, real nice fellow.

Have a good time on the parkway. We rode it all the way down from Virginia to Asheville
and after 6 hours, three down pours, and fog on the backside of Mount Mitchell, it gets kind of tiring.
We rode back up 40 to 77 today and blasting along at 80/85 has it's advantages. Namely, 4 hours total plus a
couple of gas stops, a breakfast stop, and a pit stop.

wardenerd · « **Reply #4 on:** July 11, 2010, 01:20:48 PM »

I went to college in Asheville in the early 70's. On a day that was about zero degrees my 2 cycle yamaha fouled out so I sat on the curb and began cleaning the plugs. After getting everything finished I reached down to put the plugs back only to discover they had rolled into a storm drain. There is a historical marker there that reads ...dumbest ass sat here

Uncle Ernie · « **Reply #5 on:** July 11, 2010, 03:43:28 PM »

So that's what that sign is about!

Good call on the Pisgah Inn. It SUCKS.
I would just Google Asheville motels- I never pay any attention so I have no advice.

I have never been to Mt Mitchell. Every time I get as far as Craggy Gardens, it's so foggy can't see, and I'm afraid cars coming up behind won't see me. I mean wyite-out conditions. Maybe it burns off by the afternoon...

But there sure is a great road (80) getting up there from the other side.

Maggie Valley is a good idea. You can get to Wheels Through time from Asheville though; it's about a half hour away. The museum is definitely worth it if you're into old bikes. He has 2 Indian 841's and I think 2 of tyhe Harley BMW copies. 2 or 3 Crockers, and so on. The Cannon Ball Run is stopping there- gotta look that up.

Mr McNab- glad you got home OK. God forbid we should go for a recreational ride sometime. I mean on a single track motorcycle.

Cbowers · « **Reply #6 on:** July 11, 2010, 04:53:29 PM »

Thanks for the advice. I have actually stayed at the hotel that sits in front of the Wheels Through Time Museum, but never made it in for some reason.

I found a Ramada that is at the junction of I240, I40, and 74 it appears to be nearest to the parkway and a couple of burger joints near by. Probably just stay there, unless I run across something else. I usually stay away from chain hotels, but in some cases they are just too convenient.

I have drove through that fog before in a car..... its ridiculous. we drove from Asheville to Boone and did not see anything more that 30 feet in front of the car. We kept saying, its looks like its going to clear up.....

I figured we would try and make it to Cherokee one day and the Vida Duct the next....They may be pushing it though. I figured it is about 100 miles each way from Asheville at 40 mph that is 2.5 hours one direction. So figure in stops and that is about an 8 hour day.....guess that's not too bad.

Nikkisixx · « **Reply #7 on:** July 11, 2010, 05:14:58 PM »

Another option would be these guys:

http://www.blueridgemotorcyclecamp.com/#

Uncle Ernie - here is the info on the cannonball run:
http://www.motorcyclecannonball.com/

wardenerd · « **Reply #8 on:** July 11, 2010, 05:38:39 PM »

just a thought. stay on brevard rd off I26 past the parkway. the french broad river will be on your left continue on toward Brevard until you come to the entrance to the Pisgah national forest. turn right and enter the park. looking glass falls are on the right and a short way up the road is slidin' rock which is a slick as hell thrill ride down the rocks into an extremely cold mountain pool. a great short trip. and if you continue on the road you have a great trip to Maggie Valley The falls are beautiful and slidin'rock takes you back to your childhood

Rocking-M · « **Reply #9 on:** July 11, 2010, 05:49:06 PM »

Quote from: Uncle Ernie on July 11, 2010, 03:43:28 PM

Mr McNab- glad you got home OK. God forbid we should go for a recreational ride sometime. I mean on a single track motorcycle.

thanks for all your assistance Uncle Ernie! sent you an email with the details.

Cbowers · « **Reply #10 on:** July 11, 2010, 11:09:54 PM »

Quote from: wardenerd on July 11, 2010, 05:38:39 PM

The falls are beautiful and slidin'rock takes you back to your childhood

You callin' Me Old?.......

Quote from: Nikkisixx on July 11, 2010, 05:14:58 PM

Another option would be these guys:

http://www.blueridgemotorcyclecamp.com/#

I am seriously looking into this......Now if I can only convince my dad!

Thanks for all the input, I have been going to the NC mountains through out my life and have thoroughly enjoyed it. I wish I could talk my girlfriend into moving up that way.

I hope the parkway isn't to congested, I just figured it would be the most scenic without having to fight all the little towns (which are great....but I just wanna ride!) My dad had mentioned the Dragon, that may be a bit much for me with all the other bikes. Just really want to spend some time with my dad. Two of the guys I work with lost their fathers this year.....So that is on my mind. Going riding is the only way to get us away from our girlfriends.

KeithTurk · « **Reply #11 on:** July 12, 2010, 03:18:06 AM »

I just did a 4 day trip up to the Dragon ( stayed at the hotel there for 59 bucks a night and it was actually Nice )

Favorite part was the Cherohalla Skyway and this other little road that left there and went over towards a town called Almond.... Brilliant riding days....

Uncle Ernie · « **Reply #12 on:** July 12, 2010, 07:38:43 AM »

I don't know how to mark on computer maps, but I know several couple hour to hald-say loops if you want me to scribble on a map for ya.

Nikkisixx · « **Reply #13 on:** July 12, 2010, 10:38:37 AM »

Yup, lotsa good roads between Columbia and Asheville. I loathe deal's gap though, too many tourists. I'd tell you my favorites, but Uncle E has threatened death to anyone revealing the goods. I'll leave it up to him to "scribble it down"

What route are you thinking to get there Cbowers? If you go anywhere near Brasstown Bald in the Northeast corner of GA, it is worth a blast or two:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brasstown_Bald
Little Switzerland has some good roads as well:
http://www.littleswitzerlandnc.com/
And this site has a list of some roads:
http://www.sportbikeroads.com/default.htm

KeithTurk · « **Reply #14 on:** July 12, 2010, 11:56:47 AM »

I wouldn't bother with the Dragon either.... The whole area is just stunning though and I really like the ride up to it... and it made for a good base camp

wardenerd · « **Reply #15 on:** July 12, 2010, 12:03:06 PM »

From Greenville SC to Hendersonville, NCc The old road through Tuxedo and over the mountain through the Greenville resevoir area is beautiful. It is not traveled much because they built a 4 lane around it. Curvey tree shrouded and the temperature drops fast on the way up.

Uncle Ernie · « **Reply #16 on:** July 12, 2010, 12:48:57 PM »

I never get to Greenville- what number is that? I will say that the Burger King on the North side of Travelers Rest has the best French fries you ever ate. Strange- but true.

Anyhoo- I have no problem with visitors. If you have a favorite route, invite me along. I don't get too far afield because I haven't got everything within 50 miles memorized yet. You make a right turn on a little lane and it may end up at somones barn, or it may be a big loop going through some nice country. Can't lose unless you're trying to get somewhere.

The folks who bother me are the ones who build new McMansions on a mountain that I have to look at and the people who live beneath you have to deal with your run-off that the archetect guaranteed wouldn't happen so the City Counsel and inspectors go along with it. After it's built, it's too late. Oh well.

One scary thing is the roads here are so narrow. Floridiots in their Lincolns try not to turn the wheel when they drive I think.

Nikkisixx · « **Reply #17 on:** July 12, 2010, 01:21:25 PM »

Quote from: wardenerd on July 12, 2010, 12:03:06 PM

From Greenville SC to Hendersonville, NCc The old road through Tuxedo and over the mountain through the Greenville resevoir area is beautiful. It is not traveled much because they built a 4 lane around it. Curvey tree shrouded and the temperature drops fast on the way up.

Hmm, not a bad route. Maybe follow 74 west from Hendersonville to Ashville? That is a short trip, if you leave in the afternoon you'll be in Ashville by supper. You can add some "scenery" from Hendersonville by going north up 64 (Chimney Rock Rd) to ALT74/64 towards Bat Cave then follow Alt 74 to Ashville. Lots of vacationing Flatlanders along the way, but lots of dragon tail to feed your Honda

wannabridin · « **Reply #18 on:** July 12, 2010, 01:40:09 PM »

NICE pic nikki!! damn, shes yummy

Rocking-M · « **Reply #19 on:** July 12, 2010, 04:15:20 PM »

Quote from: Uncle Ernie on July 11, 2010, 03:43:28 PM

So that's wyite-out conditions.

you misspelled white.

Uncle Ernie · « **Reply #20 on:** July 12, 2010, 05:32:51 PM »

You got into my post and did that! How did you do that?!
This "M" guy is quite a prankster.

The quickest somewhat pleasnt way to get from Oldpeopleville to Asheville is 191 (becomes Brevard Rd). 74/26 is mind-numbing freeway but will get you into Asheville in about 20-30 minutes. 191 takes about 45 minutes.

WHAT'S THIS GREAT ROAD OUT OF GREENVILLE (not that I'll ever go there...)?

Cbowers · « **Reply #21 on:** July 13, 2010, 01:38:50 AM »

Quote from: Nikkisixx on July 12, 2010, 10:38:37 AM

What route are you thinking to get there Cbowers? If you go anywhere near Brasstown Bald in the Northeast corner of GA, it is worth a blast or two:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brasstown_Bald

We are going to trailer them up there....(I'm Lazy), Figured that would be easiest. That way I can go up on a Thursday night and ride Friday and Saturday. Then come home Sunday without being rushed.

We went to Helan GA earlier this year(in the car), made it up to Brasstown Bald (couldn't see anything but fog) and Talulah Gorge. Awesome roads all I could think was wheres my motorcycle when I need it.

Quote from: wardenerd on July 12, 2010, 12:03:06 PM

From Greenville SC to Hendersonville, NCc The old road through Tuxedo and over the mountain through the Greenville resevoir area is beautiful.

That is HWY 25......never been down it but been by it on HWY 11 a million times. Will have to check it out.

My favorites in SC are 178 on the other side of Table Rock take it to NC and get on 215 in Rosman. And 276 up to Ceasars Head then to Brevard.

wardenerd · « **Reply #22 on:** July 13, 2010, 02:02:26 AM »

The natives call it old US25. It is 2 lanes and turns off just above travelers rest.

Rocking-M · « **Reply #23 on:** July 13, 2010, 03:41:49 AM »

If Uncle Ernie is your guide your done for. There is no way you'll keep up with
that madman on his w650. I know, I watched him drag his knee on a on ramp.

Cbowers · « **Reply #24 on:** July 13, 2010, 08:53:45 AM »

Quote from: Rocking-M on July 13, 2010, 03:41:49 AM

If Uncle Ernie is your guide your done for. There is no way you'll keep up with
that madman on his w650. I know, I watched him drag his knee on a on ramp.

AWESOME!..........

I was about to ask if anyone on here had a W650 and what they thought about it. After looking at the stuff Bratsyle is doing I really want one. But at the same time they are kinda pricey to cut up. Im thinking board track style now, with something cheap (250 virago?). I just want to cut something up......been so long!

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Author Topic: Asheville NC....Blue Ridge Parkway (Read 1988 times)